And the newly crowned Miss Universe 2024 is...

MEXICO CITY - Victoria Kjaer Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe on Saturday, the first contestant from Denmark to achieve the honor.

The 21-year-old dancer, entrepreneur, and animal rights activist beat out more than 120 contestants in the pageant's 73rd edition held in Mexico City.

First runner-up was Chidimma Adetshina, a law student representing Nigeria, followed by Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico, Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand, and Ileana Marquez of Venezuela.

Miss Egypt, Logina Salah, (C) competes in the swimsuit section of the 73rd edition of the Miss Universe pageant.

Marquez, 28, had earlier made history as the first mother to be crowned Miss Venezuela.

After the 2023 competition included married, plus-sized and transgender contestants, this year's featured women older than 28 -- the cutoff in previous pageants.

Among them was Beatrice Njoya of Malta, who at 40 became the oldest woman to reach the grand finale.

Miss Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, competes in the swimsuit section. She took second place in the pageant. 

Adetshina was formerly a Miss South Africa finalist before she was hounded over a nationality row which forced her to represent Nigeria.

It was the fifth time Mexico has hosted the contest, which has been criticized for promoting outmoded ideas of femininity.

It was the fifth time Mexico has hosted the contest.

The pageant has sought to evolve and rebrand itself after being acquired by JKN Global Group, headed by Thai media mogul and transgender rights campaigner Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip.

In January, Mexico-based Legacy Holding acquired a 50 percent stake in Miss Universe.