Nehal out of Miss Universe 2018 contest

India’s Nehal Chudasama failed to make it to the Top 20 shortlist at the Miss Universe 2018 contest in Bangkok. The Mumbai girl, 22, was among the 94 contestants who competed for the crown at the 67th Miss Universe pageant at a glitzy finale on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Catriona Elisa Gray from Philippines pipped 93 contestants from around the world to emerge the winner - as chosen by an all-women jury. South Africa’s Tamaryn Green, a medical student, and Venezuela’s Sthefany Guterrez, studying to be a lawyer, secured the first runner-up and second runner-up spots, respectively, at the gala ceremony, where Spain’s Angela Ponce made history as the first transgender woman to contend for the title of Miss Universe.

Five semi-finalists were chosen from each region — Top 20 — from each region — The Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific, as well as a Wild Card category. Representatives from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Curacao, Great Britain, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Nepal, Philipinnes, Poland, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Thailand, US, Venezuela and Vietnam made it to the Top 20. In a newly formed segment, the contestants were made to make an ‘Opening Statement’, in which each of them had to say a message for the world. The show was hosted by five-time Emmy Award-winner Steve Harvey. — IANS