Two African contestants have officially withdrawn from the 75th edition of the Miss Universe pageant held in Puerto Rico after failing to obtain the necessary US visas. Representatives from Zambia and the Republic of Congo are among those impacted by travel restrictions implemented under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Miss Universe organization in Zambia confirmed the withdrawal of its representative, 25-year-old nurse Pamela Mubanga, stating that the decision was a direct result of the presidential travel restrictions rather than individual documentation issues. According to the BBC, these measures, formally introduced under Presidential Proclamation 10998, took effect on 1 January 2026 and suspend the issuance of various visitor, student, and exchange visas to nationals of the affected countries.
Other contestants, including Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Roseanna Hall, and the representative from South Sudan, are currently struggling to secure entry for the pageant, which features a final scheduled for 24 November at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan. Hall, who has been attempting to secure her visa while staying in South Africa, stated in an Instagram video that she is currently facing the same challenges as other African participants. The Miss Universe organization in Zambia noted that five other African countries are facing similar difficulties in obtaining travel authorization.
Key facts
- The 75th Miss Universe pageant is being held in Puerto Rico, a US territory.
- The competition's final is scheduled for 24 November at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.
- Presidential Proclamation 10998, affecting 19 countries, took effect on 1 January 2026.
- Pamela Mubanga was crowned Miss Universe Zambia on 8 October before her subsequent withdrawal.
- Contestants began arriving in Puerto Rico for pre-pageant activities on 8 November.
Why it matters
The visa hurdles highlight the impact of the US government's expanded travel restrictions on international participants in global events. With the pageant already underway, the uncertainty surrounding the remaining African contestants persists, as many continue to wait for official approval to travel to the US territory.
Source: Hindustan Times, BBC
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