Zagreb, Croatia – The 27th edition Miss Universe Croatia 2023 beauty pageant will be held on 3 May 2023 at the Emerald Hall in Zagreb’s Esplanade Hotel, Croatia. Next month, the Top 16 delegates will be vying for the coveted title of Miss Universe Croatia 2023. The winner will represent Croatia at the upcoming 72nd edition Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador. Miss Universe Croatia 2022 Arijana Podgajski will crown her successor by the end of the event. The winner will receive many valuable prizes, including the biggest scholarship from the Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZŠEM) for a four-year undergraduate study or an MBA study worth up to 20,000 Euros. Davor Garić will guide viewers through the program. The director of Miss Universe Croatia, Marija Kraljević, revealed that Dr. Vivian Jurković, founder of Dr. Vivian Estetics, will provide the girls with useful tips for skin care, while the director of Studio Marcela Jadranka Pezo will give lectures on health and hair care. The preparations will take place at the hotels Park Plaza Histria and Grand Brioni Pula, thanks to the Arena Hospitality group, who are the hosts this year.
1. NINA AMIŽIĆ, 21, Žrnovnica
Height: 184 cm
Education/qualification: studies at the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical, and Educational Sciences, Mostar
Foreign languages: English
Nina is proud of her personality and gladly accepts challenges and knows how to push boundaries and live life to the fullest, outside her comfort zone. She likes to spend time with her family, friends, and her animals, and her hobbies include swimming, rollerblading, dancing, styling, and sewing. Nina is a big fan of old-timers and motorcycles, so she helps her father in the family business. She believes that the biggest problem in the world is abandoned and hungry children, and he believes that many more organizations for the care of neglected children should deal with them and help them. If she becomes Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for neglected children and abandoned animals because she believes that they are the most vulnerable and that they are in dire need of help.
2. MATEA BLAŽEVIĆ, 22, Đakovo
Height: 176 cm
Education/qualification: studies biology at Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek
Foreign languages: English
Matea is proud of the professional work in which she participated and which was published this year, which enables the development of research skills of elementary school students. It is also proud to have provided a home for the chančari turtle, an endangered species in Croatia. Recreationally, she plays volleyball and goes to the gym, likes to read books, watch series, cook, spend time with her family and friends, and spend time in nature with her pets.
As Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for environmental protection and encourage the reduction of plastic use in everyday life. He believes that one of the biggest problems today is pollution with microplastics because plastic is not degradable and it gets into the water and food we consume, thus representing a major health problem.
3. LUCCIANA ĆEBO, 19, Zagreb
Height: 190 cm
Education/acquired title: graduate of the First School of Economics in Zagreb
Foreign languages: English
Lucciana is proud to be the person she is today, thanks to her parents and family. Most of all, she likes hanging out with her family and going out with friends, modeling, and going to the gym. She believes that the biggest problem today is wars and attacks on innocent people and the uneven distribution of the world’s wealth and resources. As Miss Universe Croatia, she would join an institution that cares for and helps abused women and especially influences those who are abused and do not dare to ask for help.
4. ANDREA ERJAVEC, 23, Perušić
Height: 178 cm
Education/acquired title: studying classroom teaching at the Faculty of Teachers, University of Zagreb, Department of Petrinja
Foreign languages: English
Andrea is proud of her work to become a better version of herself, of her emotional development and ability to face new challenges, and of enrolling in her desired college. She likes to be on the move and use his time in the best way, hanging out with family and friends and going to the theater, and museums. She also coached basketball earlier. She believes that moving and maintaining physical health are very important. She believes that everyone in the world should have access to education, information, and resources so that they can actively participate in social processes and create positive changes in the world. As Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for the mental and physical health of children, as she believes that this is one of the biggest problems that children face. She also believes that it is important to invest in the education and empowerment of parents so that they can provide quality care and support to children in all aspects of their lives.
5. SARA GARAC, 22, Stobreč
Height: 178 cm
Education/qualification: studies at the Faculty of Kinesiology in Split
Foreign languages: English
Sara is very proud of herself for starting to work and study part-time at the university of her choice immediately after finishing high school. In her free time, she likes dancing the most, one of her favorite sports is volleyball, which she has trained for years and which is still her favorite recreation. She believes that environmental issues are among the leading problems in the world: insufficient recycling of waste, responsible consumption of natural resources, massive deforestation, and inefficient agriculture. If she becomes Miss Universe Croatia, she will advocate for the spread of love and understanding because she believes that quality relationships between people contribute much more to the quality of life than money, which increasingly affects relationships between people or status in society/at work.
6. MATEA JOSIC, 20, Zagreb
Height: 177 cm
Education/qualification: studying journalism at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Zagreb
Foreign languages: English
Matea is proud of her success at college and of balancing student work and college, of every fashion show and shoots she has done so far. While she was training in handball, she won the prize for the best goalkeeper at the international tournament in Prague and the tournament in Samobor. She likes to exercise because he believes it brings peace to the mind. She also likes to write, which is one of the main reasons why she enrolled in journalism. She believes that one of the worst injustices in the world is the violation of human rights: everyone has the right to work, health care, education, and to equality, and this is one of the fundamental rights that is denied to many. As Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for the continued enforcement of fundamental human rights, for poor, neglected, and abandoned children who deserve love.
7. PAOLA KLIBA, 21, Pula
Height: 168 cm
Education/acquired title: studies at the Faculty of Economics and Tourism Dr. Mijo Mirković, Pula
Foreign languages: English
Everything Paola does, she does with a goal. Since she was a child, she dreamed of being a majorette, which she achieved at the age of 9, and that love has lasted for 12 years, which was crowned with a gold medal in 2021 with the senior team that she led. Most of all, he likes to dream and spend time in nature with his family and friends. In addition, she likes to train in the gym, loves summer and the beach, and since she bought a motorcycle and equipment, she has joined her father and brother in motorsports. She believes that in today’s world, in addition to health, unemployment, ecology, racism, and prejudice, a big problem is the lack of communication between today’s generations despite the development of technology. During her high school education, she participated in several humanitarian actions and volunteered at a home for the elderly and infirm in Pula, where she went to socialize with demented people, and during the holidays they decorated a pine tree, danced, and sang. As Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for women’s equality, the protection of children, and the protection of the environment.
8. PETRA MARIĆ, 22, Dubrovačka Parish
Height: 177 cm
Education/acquired title: studies at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb
Foreign languages: English
Petra is particularly proud of her dedication and perseverance when it comes to education. During college, she invests a large part of her free time in additional education and seminars, so that already now, in her 3rd year of college, she has obtained three certificates related to her profession: nutritionist, fitness instructor, and Nordic walking leader. She considers education extremely important because “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” In her spare time, she likes to ride a bicycle and do strength exercises and pilates at home, and since she graduated from art high school, she also likes to draw portraits and paint with acrylics. She believes that among the biggest problems in the world are the non-acceptance of diversity, and lack of tolerance, which is partly a consequence of the development of media and social networks that have led to a society of discrimination. Petra also participated in various humanitarian actions, such as Du Motion, the Red Cross, the international swimming festival for people with disabilities, and volunteers at the Common Path Foundation in Zagreb as a leader of Nordic walking. As Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for improving awareness and care for physical and mental health and for the development and improvement of sports and recreational activities to improve health and improve quality of life, because she believes that a healthy mind in a healthy body is the shortest description of happiness.
9. LUCIJA MLINAREVIĆ, 18, Split
Height: 180 cm
Education/acquired title: student of Marko Antun de Dominis Private High School with right of publicity, Split
Foreign languages: English, German, Spanish
Lucija is proud of herself for using every day to work on herself and become a better person. If she is not somewhere in nature with her dog Lucy or in the gym, she likes to bake healthy desserts for friends, travel, swim, play badminton, and read romances and thrillers. She would love it if women encouraged and helped other women, instead of “putting” each other down. He believes that young people should be taught mutual respect and self-respect from a young age and that they should be encouraged to express their own opinion. During the pandemic, she often went shopping for the elderly neighbors of her building so that they were as little exposed to the virus as possible, and in June 2019 she participated in the Red Cross in a Blue Frame campaign, as part of which she helped clean Žnjan beach and educate children about recycling. As Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for the equality of all people in the world and encourage young people to use their voice and their opinions.
10. ANA MUJKIĆ GRANIĆ, 18, Vinkovci
Height: 172 cm
Education/acquired title: graduate of the Ivan Domac School of Economics and Commerce, Vinkovci
Foreign languages: English
Ana is very proud of herself because she does not give up on what she wants and is very ambitious; the most important thing for her is that she is a good daughter, girlfriend, and best friend and that others feel comfortable in her company. Photographing and capturing emotions and memories through the lens of the camera fulfills her and she thinks she is good at it. He believes that the biggest problems in the world today are poverty, inequality, political instability and conflicts, and climate change, and to solve these problems, it is necessary to start from the causes of these problems, by promoting sustainable development, human rights, and social justice. As Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for the empowerment of women and the promotion of gender equality. Women are often exposed to discrimination, violence, and inequality in various aspects of life and this must change. She believes that women have the power to positively influence society, and by standing up for gender equality, we can create a more equal and just world for everyone.
11. POLINA MYTKO, 27, Split
Height: 175 cm
Education/acquired title: master’s degree in mathematics; graduated in mathematics and computer science at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Split
Foreign languages: English, Russian
Polina is most proud of having graduated from college and working in the profession, as well as her dancing career. She was born in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, where she learned her first dance steps, and since 2012 she has been living in Croatia, where she continued her successful dance and choreography career. She makes costumes and props for her dance performances herself and is a member of a dance group that follows one of the world’s biggest music festivals from Split to China and the USA. She believes that the reckless behavior of people towards nature and the uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources is one of the biggest problems today and that to preserve the planet, everyone should do their best, be environmentally aware, buy according to their needs, recycle, and give away things that we no longer need, and stop with the fast fashion philosophy and prefer to buy from local artisans who will make better quality clothes that will last longer. As Miss Universe Croatia, she will advocate for the promotion of the natural beauty and historical-cultural heritage of Dalmatia through the creation of short videos and pictures based on the stories and legends of this region.
12. EMA NUMIĆ-MEŠA, 19, Pula
Height: 170 cm
Education/qualification: graduated from the School of Economics in Pula
Foreign languages: English
In her spare time, Ema likes to read books, travel, walk, ride a bike, and mostly spend time in nature. He believes that the biggest problem in the world today is the inequality of women in society. She believes that women all over the world should have access to education and an equal level of education and the possibility of employment in all sectors. He always participates in humanitarian actions, and one of the latest is donating to the Red Cross to help children in Turkey and Syria after the recent devastating earthquakes. As Miss Universe Croatia, she will advocate for human rights because she believes that everyone should have the right to freedom of choice, movement, and opinion.
13. KLARA PELEMIŠ, 27, Zagreb
Height: 163 cm
Education/qualification: BSc Horticulture at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb/MBA Marketing et Management du Vin – INSEEC MSc & MBA, Bordeaux, France
Foreign languages: English, French, Spanish, she has also started learning Dutch
Klara is especially proud of her international experience: she was an exchange student in the USA in high school, she studied in France for two years, and her family hosts exchange students from Mexico, Finland, the USA, and Canada. She visited more than 40 countries, which gave her an insight into new cultures and their customs and broadened her horizons. She trained in swimming for ten years and was runner-up in the junior category in speed skating, which she practiced for three years, she practiced climbing, and in the USA she tried her hand at cheerleading and pole vaulting. She is currently involved in boxing and mountaineering, 2022 she climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (5891 m), and in the next two years she intends to try to conquer the highest peak in South America, Aconcagua (6962 m) in Argentina. With friends from the Rotaract/Rotary community, she launched the project “From Zero to Hero” to raise awareness of the philosophy of “zero waste” and reduce waste in everyday life. As someone who struggled with acne throughout her adolescence, which had a significant impact on her self-confidence and negative self-image, as Miss Universe Croatia, she would like to bring this problem closer to young people and send a message that each of us has something special in us and that above all we need to learn to love yourself, work on yourself and be a positive example and motivation for others to never give up and to believe in themselves.
14. MIHAELA POSAVEC, 19, Zagreb
Height: 173 cm
Education/acquired title: student of sociology at the Croatian Catholic University in Zagreb
Foreign languages: English
Mihaela is very proud of herself for being able to achieve excellent results at university in addition to work, and for having learned to allocate her time according to priorities. Along with studies and work, he manages to acquire work habits and in this way move towards his goals. In his spare time, he likes to watch movies based on true events, go for walks and hang out with his friends, and go to the training sessions and matches of his younger brother, whom he tries to be a big supporter of. He believes that technological progress, in addition to positive effects, also caused many negative consequences for man and society in the form of alienation, superficiality, and excessive individuality, which ultimately resulted in the development of other problems in the world. About the chosen study of sociology, as Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for equal opportunities and education for children and young people. He regularly donates and helps associations and people with disabilities, and soon intends to join the volunteer association “Gledati Stem”.
15. MATEA SVJETLICIĆ, 20, Čazma
Height: 166 cm
Education/acquired title: studying early and preschool education at the Faculty of Teachers, University of Zagreb, Petrinja department
Foreign languages: English
Matea is very proud that she is studying at the university of her choice, that she can work while studying, and that with her work and actions, she can influence the future of children and their upbringing. For two years, she has been declared the best volleyball player in the town of Čazma, and she believes that all her achievements are the result of her parents’ good upbringing, her persistence, desire, and work. She spends most of her free time with her family, which means a lot to her, and with her dear friends. She likes to walk her adopted dog in nature, play sports, especially volleyball, which she has been playing for many years, exercise in the gym and play the keyboard and sing children’s songs, which she likes to perform in front of children in kindergarten. Although the world is faced with various problems such as war, disease, poverty, climate change, and abuses, he believes that all these problems are solvable, you just need to reach people, make them aware, and encourage them to do a good thing. As Miss Universe Croatia, she would advocate for abandoned animals and their adoption, because she believes that animals have feelings and need just like us humans, and they should be helped, taken care of, and given love. She would also advocate for the preservation of nature, the resources which we use too much, but take care of and invest in it too little.
16. EMA HELENA VIČAR, 20, Zagreb
Height: 175 cm
Education/qualification: studying international business at Libertas International University
Foreign languages: English
At the age of 14, Ema Helena started recording videos on social networks for her peers. Although she faced negative comments, she was persistent and tried to be even better, so even today girls approach her and thank her for helping them and positively influencing their self-confidence. She likes to spend her free time with her friends, walking her pet Bibi, traveling, learning about new cultures, and cooking. She has been dancing and gymnastics for eight years goes to the gym regularly and takes care of her health and appearance, and in addition to her studies, she is also engaged in event management. She believes that the biggest problem in the world is that the value of human life depends on where in the world someone was born, whether or not they have well-to-do parents, what religion or skin color someone is, and what gender or age. Too many children’s lives have been lost due to wars, refugees, or natural disasters, and he considers the education of young people one of the solutions for breaking prejudices, respect for diversity, and hope for a fairer world. As Miss Universe Croatia, she wants to advocate for increasing awareness in society about the mental health of young people, especially young girls who, under the influence of the media, have a wrong self-image and self-confidence problems. She also wants to advocate for breaking prejudices against women: women can be beautiful and at the same time smart, ambitious, enterprising, and successful. A woman should not be defined by career, motherhood, or appearance.
List of Miss Universe Croatia 2023 Official Delegates
1. NINA AMIŽIĆ, 21, Žrnovnica
2. MATEA BLAŽEVIĆ, 22, Đakovo
3. LUCCIANA ĆEBO, 19, Zagreb
4. ANDREA ERJAVEC, 23, Perušić
5. SARA GARAC, 22, Stobreč
6. MATEA JOSIC, 20, Zagreb
7. PAOLA KLIBA, 21, Pula
8. PETRA MARIĆ, 22, Dubrovačka Parish
9. LUCIJA MLINAREVIĆ, 18, Split
10. ANA MUJKIĆ GRANIĆ, 18, Vinkovci
11. POLINA MYTKO, 27, Split
12. EMA NUMIĆ-MEŠA, 19, Pula
13. KLARA PELEMIŠ, 27, Zagreb
14. MIHAELA POSAVEC, 19, Zagreb
15. MATEA SVJETLICIĆ, 20, Čazma
16. EMA HELENA VIČAR, 20, Zagreb
Who are your favorites for Miss Universe Croatia 2023? Comment below
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