Victoria Velasquez Vincent now eyes Miss Universe New Zealand crown

Victoria Velasquez Vincent. Image from Instagram / @stevenjohnpascua

Victoria Velasquez Vincent is not hanging her pageant heels up just yet, as the Filipino-Kiwi architect aims to snag the Miss Universe New Zealand title.

After twice attempting to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant, she has finally given in to the lure of New Zealand and threw her hat in the recently-launched search.

New Zealand’s erstwhile Miss Universe 2024 bet was former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Franki Russell, but her participation in the global tilt was abruptly cut short when licensee Yugen Group cancelled the franchise for its failure to comply with a “specific order” from the Miss Universe Organization. They did not disclose what the order was.

Now a new search for New Zealand’s representative to the 73rd Miss Universe pageant is underway, and Vincent is one of the aspirants. She made it social media official by posting a story using an image of her with a Miss Universe-New Zealand banner in the background, writing the caption “me again x.”

Victoria Velasquez Vincent. SCREENSHOT FROM FACEBOOK STORIES

Vincent first tried her luck at the 2021 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, representing Cavite. She finished third to Beatrice Luigi Gomez and was proclaimed as Miss Universe Philippines-Charity.

After Vincent’s Philippine pageant outing, New Zealand’s Miss Universe licensee at that time offered her the opportunity to join the 2021 Miss Universe competition as the Kiwi delegate, but she declined it.

“After a week of contemplation, countless discussions with my family, friends and team, I eventually came to the decision to politely decline the offer,” she said on Instagram.

“My heart is and always will be here to serve the Philippines. Some may say I’m not Filipina enough and that’s ok. I know who I am. I know what I stand for. I am a Filipina,” she added.

She returned to the Miss Universe Philippines pageant this year representing her mother’s hometown of Bacoor, but only finished in the Top 10. She also declined to be considered for the other national titles at stake in the competition.

Several other delegates from the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant have crossed over to other pageants, many of whom bagged national titles.

Dia Mate and Patricia Bianca Tapia joined the 2024 Miss World Philippines pageant, and were crowned Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas and Miss Philippines Tourism, respectively. Matea Mahal Smith flew back to the United States to join the Miss Florida USA contest. Christina Chalk took part in the Miss Universe United Kingdom search, and won the title.

The 2024 Miss Universe pageant will take place in Mexico City, Mexico, with the coronation night scheduled on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in Manila). The delegates are expected to arrive in late October.