Miss Universe 2023 grand finale kickstarted with full fervor and women from more than 80 countries participated for the grand title. However, Miss Universe 2023 started with heartbreak when it was announced that Ida Anette Hauan of Norway had to pull out of the finale after testing positive for COVID-19. Ida Anette Hauan's elimination was announced when Miss Universe 2023 Top 16 was revealed by the hosts. Miss Universe 2023 took to its social media and issued its official statement on Ida Anette Hauan's elimination.
"Unfortunately, Miss Universe Norway @idahauan contracted COVID-19 and will no longer be competing this evening. The Miss Universe Organization and her fellow delegates are saddened to hear this news and are wishing her a speedy recovery," Miss Universe wrote on social media.
Dejected fans expressed their sorrow and anger in the comment section. One of the user wrote, "Um. How is she the ONLY ONE? Won’t there be others that may be exposed too?" Another user wrote, "Why not just let her go on stage with a mask? We need to learn to live with this virus already". Another user wrote, "You guys make a drama for this girl again? Start from make up and then covid? Go to the hell"
Who is Ida Anette Hauan?
The 26-year-old model from Malvik, Trondheim succeeded last year's titleholder Nora Emilie Nakken and was slated to represent Norway at Miss Universe 2022.The new Miss Norway Ida Anette Hauan is an animal welfare advocate. As a member of the organization Noah, she worked hard to prevent the exploitation and mistreatment of animals throughout her country.
Here's Miss Universe 2023 Top 16
Ashley Cariño - Puerto Rico
Mideline Phelizor - Haiti
Monique Riley - Australia
Andreina Martínez Founier - Dominican Republic
Payengxa Lor - Laos
Ndavi Nokeri - South Africa
Telma Madeira - Portugal
Miss Universe 2023 Top 16: Payengxa Lor makes history, becomes first pageant to qualify for Laos
Amelia Tu - Canada
Alessia Rovegno Cayo - Peru
Tya Jané Ramey - Trinidad and Tobago
Gabriëla Dos Santos - Curaçao
Miss Universe 2023 Top 16: Payengxa Lor makes history, becomes first pageant to qualify for Laos
Divita Rai - India
Amanda Dudamel - Venezuela
Alicia Faubel - Spain
R'Bonney Gabriel - USA
Maria Fernanda Aristizabal - Colombia
Miss Universe 2023
Miss Universe 2023 held in New Orleans and over 80 delegates from across the globe will be competing for the crown at the Ernest N. Moral Convention Center in the US. Hosts Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai Jenkins introduced the night's selection committee, all of whom are women in various industries. The judging panel included Emmy-award-winning journalist and author Myrka Dellanos, sports reporter Emily Austin, Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, Quido skincare founder Olivia Quido, Viral media PR founder Mara Martin, Roku head of marketing and merchandising Sweta Patel, Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, and hip hop artist Big Freedia.