More than 120 women from all over the world took part in the 2024 Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City on Saturday evening. And the winner was… 21-year-old Victoria Theilvig from Denmark.

Because the pageant unfolded over more than three hours of competition, the field was first narrowed to 30 national title holders in the swimsuit round. Based on the state of their bikinis (or one-pieces, for those who didn’t dare bare themselves), twelve contestants were selected by the judges to show off frothy, dazzling evening gowns; Robin Thicke appeared at the piano at this point, but we don’t need to dwell on that.

From there, only five finalists dealt with the question and answer round before the verdict was delivered and the crown was crowned.

Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Nigeria, finished as first runner-up to Theilvig, ahead of Mexico’s María Fernanda Beltrán, Thailand’s Suchata Chuangsri and Venezuela’s Ileana Márquez.

Adetshina’s participation in the Miss Universe pageant had been the source of some controversy. She had originally tried to compete in the Miss South Africa pageant, before a racially charged pressure campaign challenging her eligibility forced her out (and prompted her to enter – and win – the Miss Nigeria pageant). Mia Le Roux, the winner of Miss South Africa, withdrew from the Miss Universe competition a few days ago, citing ‘health issues’.

Theilvig takes over from the 2023 Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua. Palacios’ rule has been complicated to say the least, following allegations that she had been involved in anti-government protests in her country during her student years.

The 2024 Miss USA, Alma Cooper of Michigan, failed to place as a semifinalist — the first time the U.S. failed to do so in more than a decade.