The Miss Iceland or Miss Universe Iceland (Icelandic: Ungfrú Ísland) is a national beauty pageant in Iceland. Beginning in 2023, the winner represents Iceland at Miss Universe pageant.
| Formation | 1950 |
|---|---|
| Type | Beauty pageant |
| Headquarters | Reykjavík |
| Location | |
Membership | |
Official language | Icelandic |
President | Jorge Esteban Manuela Ósk Harðardóttir |
| Website | www.missuniverseiceland.com |
History
editThe competition has been carried out since 1950; in the first year it was called Miss Reykjavík (Ungfrú Reykjavík). Since 1955, the contest has taken place under the current name Miss Iceland. In the past, contest winners gained the right to represent Iceland in Miss Universe, Miss World or Miss International. As of 2009, the winner goes on to compete in Miss World.[1][2] There are six regional preliminary contests in each of the five rural regions and in the capital Reykjavík. 20 to 24 candidates, three to four from each region, take part in the finals.
Iceland is one of the most successful countries at the Miss World pageant with three victories, a record for a nation with a population of less than half million people.
In 2023, Jorge Esteban and Manuela Ósk Harðardóttir took the brand of Ungfrú Ísland in Iceland after the original organizers abandoned the brand back in 2018 in order to adopt a new format for Miss World in Miss World Iceland.
2013 applicants
editRafn Rafnsson, the new chief executive of the Miss Iceland contest, "in hopes of diversifying the field of contestants beyond the statuesque blonde with striking blue eyes that has become the Icelandic stereotype", said "There is no Miss Iceland stereotype..."[3] One week later, in response to Rafnsson's statement, 1,300 people applied to become Miss Iceland,[4] including several nontraditional candidates, such as:
- Sigríður Guðmarsdóttir, 48, a female governmental minister in Reykjavík[4]
- Reynir Sigurðbjörnsson, 47, a male electrician[4]
- Ása Richardsdóttir, a 49-year-old female producer in the fine arts industry[4]
- Matthildur Helgadóttir-Jónudóttir, a female event manager also in her 40s[4]
- Brynhildur Heiðardóttir Ómarsdóttir, a female literary critic[4]
- Sigríður Ingibjörg Ingadóttir, a female Member of Parliament for the Social Democratic Alliance[3]
- Guðrún Jónsdóttir, a spokesperson for Stígamót (organization that fights sexual abuse against women)[3]
- Hildur Lillendahl, a feminist in Iceland[3]
- Björk Vilhelmsdóttir, a city councilor of Reykjavík and feminist[5]
- Þórdís Elva Þorvaldsdóttir, a writer and actress[5]
In response to the increase of nontraditional applicants, Rafnsson said, "We have to follow the rules set by the international contest." This "means rejecting any applicants younger than 18 or older than 24. In addition to the age limits, contestants must be unmarried, childless and, of course, female." Íris Telma Jonsdóttir, Iceland's 2012 Miss World contestant, "has the unfortunate job of sifting through applications for the coming Miss Iceland contest and the publicity stirred by feminists has even sparked an abnormally high influx of legitimate hopefuls. That means she has a lot more reading to do before selecting the field of 25 women who will actually compete for a chance to move on to Miss World."[4]
Miss Universe Iceland
editIn 2016, Jorge Esteban (President of PageantSmart Interview Consulting) and Manuela Osk Hardardottir (former Miss Iceland 2002) were awarded the franchise for Miss Universe Iceland by the Miss Universe Organization. The 2020 Miss Universe Iceland competition was held on Friday, October 23, 2020, at Gamla Bio in downtown Reykjavík. The winner was 21 year old Elísabet Hulda Snorradóttir, a second year student at the University of Iceland, majoring in Chinese Studies. She represented Iceland at the Miss Universe 2020 competition. She succeeds Birta Abiba Þórhallsdóttir, Miss Universe Iceland 2019, who placed in the Top 10 at Miss Universe 2019, the highest placement for Iceland since 1962. The Miss Universe Iceland 2021 competition will be held in Reykjavík on September 29, 2021. The winner will go on to compete at the 70th Miss Universe competition in Eilat, Israel scheduled for December 2021.[6][7] Previously the Miss Iceland (Ungfru Island) pageant would select the representative to Miss Universe.[1]
Began 2023 the Miss Universe Iceland became the main title of Ungfrú Ísland titleholder after the organizers took over the defunct brand.
2023 applicants
editUngfrú Ísland under the leadership of Manuela Osk Harðardóttir and Jorge Esteban, a new era is ushered in. One national competition for Icelandic women with multiple opportunities for national and international representation.
New rules:
- Open to contestants ages of at least 18 y/o and under 28 as of 1.1.23
- Contestants may be single, currently married or previously married
- Contestants can be pregnant or have children
Titleholders
edit1955-2017
edit- Winning International Title
- Miss Universe Iceland
- Miss World Iceland
- Miss International Iceland
- Miss Europe Iceland
| Year | Ungfrú Ísland |
|---|---|
| 1955 | Arna Hjörleifsdóttir |
| 1956 | Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir |
| 1957 | Bryndís Schram |
| 1958 | Sigríður Þorvaldsdóttir |
| 1959 | Sigríður Geirsdóttir † |
| 1960 | Sigrún Ragnarsdóttir |
| 1961 | María Guðmundsdóttir |
| 1962 | Guðrún Bjarnadóttir Miss International 1963 |
| 1963 | Thelma Ingvarsdóttir Miss Scandinavia 1963 |
| 1964 | Pálína Jónmundsdóttir |
| 1965 | Sigrún Vignisdóttir |
| 1966 | Kolbrún Einarsdóttir |
| 1967 | Guðrún Pétursdóttir |
| 1968 | Jónína Konráðsdóttir |
| 1969 | María Baldursdóttir |
| 1970 | Erna Jóhannesdóttir |
| 1971 | Guðrún Valgarðsdóttir |
| 1972 | Þórunn Símonardóttir |
| 1973 | Katrín Gisladóttir |
| 1974 | Anna Björnsdóttir |
| 1975 | Helga Eldon Jónsdóttir |
| 1976 | Guðmunda Jóhannesdóttir |
| 1977 | Kristjana Þráinsdóttir Dethroned |
| Anna Eðvarðsdóttir | |
| 1978 | Halldóra Jónsdóttir |
| 1979 | Kristín Bernharðsdóttir |
| 1980 | Elisabet Traustadóttir |
| 1982 | Guðrún Möller |
| 1983 | Unnur Steinsson |
| 1984 | Berglind Johansen |
| 1985 | Halla Bryndis Jonsdóttir |
| 1986 | Gígja Birgisdóttir |
| 1987 | Anna Margrét Jónsdóttir |
| 1988 | Linda Pétursdóttir Miss World 1988 |
| 1989 | Hugrún Linda Guðmundsdóttir |
| 1990 | Ásta Sigríður Einarsdóttir |
| 1991 | Svava Haraldsdóttir |
| 1992 | María Rún Hafliðadóttir |
| 1993 | Svala Björk Arnardóttir |
| 1994 | Margrét Skúladóttir Sigurz |
| 1995 | Hrafnhildur Hafsteinsdóttir |
| 1996 | Sólveig Guðmundsdóttir |
| 1997 | Harpa Harðardóttir |
| 1998 | Guðbjörg Hermannsdóttir |
| 1999 | Katrín Baldursdóttir |
| 2000 | Elín Magnúsdóttir |
| 2001 | Ragnheiður Guðnadóttir |
| 2002 | Manuela Ósk Harðardóttir President of Ungfru Island |
| 2003 | Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir |
| 2004 | Hugrún Harðardóttir |
| 2005 | Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir Miss World 2005 |
| 2006 | Sif Aradóttir |
| 2007 | Jóhanna Vala Jónsdóttir |
| 2008 | Alexandra Ívarsdóttir |
| 2009 | Guðrún Dögg Rúnarsdóttir |
| 2010 | Fanney Ingvarsdóttir |
| 2011 | Sigrún Eva Ármannsdóttir |
| 2013 | Tanja Ástþórsdóttir |
| 2015 | Arna Ýr Jónsdóttir |
| 2016 | Anna Lára Orlowska |
| 2017 | Ólafía Ósk Finnsdóttir |
2016-present
edit- Winning International Title
- directly
- Miss Universe Iceland organization began sending a winner to Miss Universe in 2016 but before Miss Universe Iceland, Miss Iceland (Ungfru Island) Organization franchised the Miss Universe franchise and the main winner went to Miss Universe starting in 1956. In 2016, a brand new of Miss Universe Iceland organized by separate competition which officially selected a national winning title to Miss Universe. Began 2023 On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
| Year | Miss Universe Iceland | 2nd Placed | 3rd Placed | 4th Placed | 5th Placed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Hildur María Leifsdóttir Glacier Lagoon |
Sigrún Eva Ármannsdóttir Akranes |
Andrea Sigurðardóttir Kópavogur |
Elísa Gróa Steinþórsdóttir Breiðholt |
Thoranna Thorarins Westman Islands |
| 2017 | Arna Ýr Jónsdóttir Northern Lights |
Ester Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir Hafnarfjörður |
Elísa Gróa Steinþórsdóttir Garðabær |
Hulda Margrét Sigurðardóttir Southern Iceland |
Dagbjört Rúriksdóttir East Reykjavík |
| 2018 | Katrín Lea Elenudóttir Midnight Sun |
Móeiður Svala Magnúsdóttir Northern Lights |
Sunneva Sif Jónsdóttir Northern Iceland Queen Beauty Universe 2019 |
Aníta Ösp Ingólfsdóttir Crystal Beach |
Hulda Vigdísardóttir 101 District |
| Year | Miss Universe Iceland | Supranational Iceland | Queen Beauty Iceland | 4th Placed | 5th Placed |
| 2019 | Birta Abiba Þórhallsdóttir Geysir |
Hugrún Birta Egilsdóttir Garðabær |
Hulda Vigdísardóttir 101 Reykjavík |
Elísabet Hulda Snorradóttir Northern Lights |
Kolfinna Mist Austfjord Akureyri |
| Year | Miss Universe Iceland | Supranational Iceland | 3rd Placed | 4th Placed | 5th Placed |
| 2020 | Elísabet Hulda Snorradóttir Glacier Lagoon |
Disa Dungal 101 Reykjavík |
Sunneva Halldórsdóttir Akureyri |
Kamilla Kristrúnardóttir Hancock Breiðholt |
Díana Iva Gunnarsdóttir Vestmannaeyjar |
| 2021 | Elísa Gróa Steinþórsdóttir Garðabær |
Íris Freyja Salguero Kristínardóttir Crystal Beach |
Hulda Vigdísardóttir 101 Reykjavík |
Elva Björk Jónsdóttir Gullfoss |
Elin Stelludóttir Breiðholt |
| 2022 | Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir East Reykjavík |
Ísabella Þorvallsdóttir Northern Lights |
Alexandra Tómasdóttir Northern Iceland |
Þorbjörg Kristinsdóttir Grafarholt |
Elva Björk Jónsdóttir Gullfoss |
| Year | Ungfrú Ísland | Supranational Iceland | 3rd Placed | 4th Placed | 5th Placed |
| 2023 | Lilja Pétursdóttir[8] Capital Region |
Helena Hafthórsdóttir O'Connor Reykjavík |
Kolfinna Mist Austfjörður Húsavík |
Dagny Osk Garðarsdottir Midnight Sun |
Borghildur Birta Einarsdottir Northern Lights |
| 2024 | Soldis Vala Ivarsdottir Árbær |
Emilia Pora Olafsdottir Grindavík |
Valerija Rjabchuk Reykjavík |
Erika Lif Karadottir Kópavogur |
Harpa Ros Jonsdottir Þingvellir |
| 2025 | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Titleholders under Ungfrú Ísland org.
editMiss Universe Iceland
edit- : Declared as Winner
- : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
- Ungfrú Ísland winners between 1956 and 2009 competed at Miss Universe pageant. Between 2016 and 2022 the main winner of Miss Universe Iceland went to Miss Universe. Began 2023 the organization of Ungfrú Ísland is official foundation to select the winner to Miss Universe competition under Jorge Esteban and Manuela Ósk Harðardóttir directorship.
| Year | Municipality | Ungfrú Ísland | Placement at Miss Universe | Special awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manuela Hardardottir directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe from 2023 | |||||
| 2025 | TBA | TBA | TBA | ||
| 2024 | Árbær | Sóldís Vala Ívarsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 2023 | Reykjavík | Lilja Pétursdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| Jorge Esteban and Manuela Hardardottir directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2016―2022 | |||||
| 2022 | Reykjavík | Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir[9] | Unplaced | Later became Miss Earth Air 2024 | |
| 2021 | Garðabær | Elisa Gróa Steinþórsdóttir[10] | Unplaced | ||
| 2020 | Reykjavík | Elísabet Hulda Snorradóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 2019 | Mosfellsbær | Birta Abiba Þórhallsdóttir | Top 10 | ||
| 2018 | Reykjavík | Katrín Lea Elenudóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 2017 | Kópavogur | Arna Ýr Jónsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 2016 | Kópavogur | Hildur María Leifsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| Arnar Laufdal Olafsson directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2006―2009 | |||||
| Did not compete between 2010—2015 | |||||
| 2009 | Reykjavík | Ingibjörg Ragnheiður Egilsdóttir | Top 15 | Ungfrú Ísland Universe 2008; allocated to Miss Universe 2009. | |
| Did not compete between 2007—2008 | |||||
| 2006 | Reykjanesbær | Sif Aradóttir | Unplaced | ||
| Gróa Ásmundsdóttir directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1989―2003 | |||||
| Did not compete between 2004—2005 | |||||
| 2003 | Reykjavík | Manuela Ósk Harðardóttir | Withdrew after Preliminary Competition | Dehydration Illness (after preliminary competition) — Manuela was 1st Runner-up at Miss Scandinavia 2002. | |
| Did not compete between 1998—2002 | |||||
| 1997 | Reykjavík | Solveig Guðmundsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1996 | Reykjavík | Hrafnhildur Hafsteinsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1995 | Reykjavík | Margret Skúladóttir Sigurz | Unplaced | ||
| 1994 | Reykjavík | Svala Björk Arnardóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1993 | Reykjavík | Maria Rún Haflidadóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1992 | Reykjavík | Svava Haraldsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1991 | Akranes | Dis Sigurgeirsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1990 | Reykjavík | Hildur Dungalsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1989 | Reykjavík | Guðbjörg Gissurardóttir | Unplaced | ||
| Ólafur Laufdal Jónsson directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1956―1988 | |||||
| 1988 | Reykjavík | Anna Margrét Jónsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| Did not compete in 1987 | |||||
| 1986 | Reykjavík | Thora Thrastardóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1985 | Reykjavík | Hana Bryndis Jonsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1984 | Reykjavík | Berglind Johansson | Unplaced | ||
| 1983 | Reykjavík | Unnur Steinsson | Unplaced | ||
| 1982 | Reykjavík | Guðrún Möller | Unplaced | ||
| 1981 | Reykjavík | Elisabet Traustadóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1980 | Reykjavík | Guðbjörg Sigurdardóttir | Top 12 | ||
| 1979 | Reykjavík | Halldora Björk Jónsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1978 | Reykjavík | Anna Björk Edwards | Unplaced | Ungfrú Ísland 1977, Kristjana Þráinsdóttir dethroned by Miss Iceland Organization and Anna took over as the successor; previously, Anna was Runner-up in 1977. | |
| 1977 | Reykjavík | Kristjana Þráinsdóttir | Unplaced | Dethroned as the main winner after competing at Miss Universe 1977. | |
| 1976 | Reykjavík | Gudmunda Hulda Johannesdottir | Unplaced | ||
| 1975 | Reykjavík | Helga Eldon Jonsdottir | Unplaced | ||
| 1974 | Reykjavík | Anna Björnsdóttir | Unplaced |
|
|
| Did not compete in 1973 | |||||
| 1972 | Reykjavík | María Kristín Jóhannesdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1971 | Skagafjörður | Guðrún Valgarðsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1970 | Reykjavík | Erna Jóhannesdottir | Unplaced | ||
| 1969 | Reykjanesbær | María Baldursdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1968 | Reykjavík | Helen Knuttsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1967 | Garðabær | Guðrún Pétursdóttir | Unplaced. | ||
| 1966 | Garðabær | Erla Traustadóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1965 | Reykjavík | Bára Magnúsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1964 | Reykjavík | Thelma Ingvarsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1963 | Reykjanesbær | Theódóra Þórðardóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1962 | Mosfellsbær | Anna Geirsdóttir | 1st Runner-up | ||
| 1961 | Reykjanesbær | Kristjana Magnúsdóttir | Top 15 | ||
| 1960 | Reykjavík | Svanhildur Jakobsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
| 1959 | Mosfellsbær | Sigríður Þorvaldsdóttir | Top 15 | ||
| Did not compete in 1958 | |||||
| 1957 | Garðabær | Bryndís Schram | Unplaced | ||
| 1956 | Kópavogur | Guðlaug Guðmundsdóttir | Unplaced | ||
Miss Earth Iceland
edit- : Declared as Winner
- : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
| Year | Municipality | Ungfrú Ísland―Earth | Placement at Miss Earth | Special awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manuela Hardardottir directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Earth from 2024 | |||||
| 2024 | Reykjavík | Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir | Miss Earth-Air (1st Runner-up) | In 2024, Ungfru Island acquisitioned the Miss Earth license, and Ungfru Island 2022 was designated to represent Iceland at Miss Earth 2024 in the Philippines. | |
Miss Supranational Iceland
edit- : Declared as Winner
- : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- : Ended as special awards winner
- Miss Universe Iceland organization was also awarded the Miss Supranational Iceland franchise in 2019. Before Miss Universe Iceland, Miss Iceland (Ungfru Island) Organization franchised the Miss Supranational Iceland franchise and the 1st runner-up went to Miss Supranational. On occasion, when the 1st runner-up does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a 2nd runner-up is sent.
| Year | Municipality | Ungfrú Ísland―Supranational | Placement at Miss Supranational | Special awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manuela Hardardottir directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Supranational from 2023 | |||||
| 2025 | Reykjavík | Emllia Pora Olafsdottir | TBA | ||
| 2024 | Reykjavík | Helena Hafbórsdóttir O'Connor | Top 25 | ||
| 2023 | Akureyri | Ísabella Þorvaldsdóttir[11] | Unplaced |
|
|
| Jorge Esteban and Manuela Hardardottir directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Supranational between 2019―2022 | |||||
| 2022 | Mosfellsbær | Íris Freyja Salguero | Unplaced | ||
| 2021 | Reykjavík | Disa Dungal | Unplaced | ||
| Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no competition held in 2020 | |||||
| 2019 | Reykjavík | Húgrun Birta Egilsdottir | Top 25 (11th place) |
|
|
Notes
edit- Unnur Steinsson was Miss Iceland 1983 and finished in the top five positions at the Miss World finals the same year. She is the mother of Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir who won the Miss Iceland pageant in 2005 and became Miss World 2005.[3] Steinsson was three months pregnant when she carried Unnur and competed in the 1983 contest, which was strictly forbidden and could have led to disqualification. Her daughter, Unnur, as mentioned, won the pageant 22 years later.
- In 2011, Guðlaug Dagmar Jónasdóttir won second place and Sigríður Dagbjört Ásgeirsdóttir won third place.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Upplýsingar um keppnina" (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2007.
- ^ Here comes Iceland's first Miss Earth delegate
- ^ a b c d e f "MP signs up for Miss Iceland Beauty Contest". News of Iceland. 14 July 2013. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g JERVELL, ELLEN EMMERENTZE (26 July 2013). "Miss Iceland Gets a Chilly Reception From Feminists". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Large and Hairy Feminists flock to sign up for Miss Iceland contest". News of Iceland. 15 June 2013. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ "Iceland will return at the Miss Universe". pageantnews.com. 27 March 2016. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Manuela Ósk í nýju og spennandi starfi fyrir Miss Universe!". krom.is. 26 March 2016.
- ^ Hauksdóttir, Íris (16 August 2023). "Lilja Sif Pétursdóttir valin Ungfrú Ísland" [Lilja Sif Pétursdóttir was chosen as Miss Iceland]. Visir.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ "Hrafnhildur er Miss Universe Iceland 2022". Fréttablaðið (in Icelandic). 25 August 2022.
- ^ "Elísa Gróa er Miss Universe Iceland 2021". visir.is. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "Hrafnhildur er Miss Universe Iceland 2022". Fréttablaðið (in Icelandic). 25 August 2022.