Shirin Akter Shela was crowned in the inaugural edition of Miss Universe Bangladesh, at the grand finale held at the International Convention City, Bashundhara, in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The winner was crowned by Indian actor and model Sushmita Sen, who herself won the title of Miss Universe in 1994. Speaking at the event, Sushmita said: "I am very glad to be a part of this momentous occasion. Tonight we make history. Do you want to know how? We make history because for the first time, a girl from Bangladesh will represent this beautiful country at Miss Universe competition. Twenty-five years ago, I represented India at that same competition, and my life was changed forever."
Shela, a third-year student of physics at Dhaka University, will represent Bangladesh in the main event of 68th Miss Universe competition, to be held in the US this December. Bangladesh is going to participate in the competition for the first time ever.
Alisha Islam was announced as the first runner-up of the competition, and the second runner-up title went to Jessia Islam. The other contestants in the Top 10 were Tamanna Ishrat Sohani, Maria Mumu, Sanowar Tayefa, Afla Arman, Irana Ishrat, Smriti Akter, and Toshiba Anita Islam.
The finalists were judged by Sushmita Sen, singer Tahsan Khan, Persona Beauty Salon Managing Director Kaniz Almas, Bangladesh Heritage Craft President Tootli Rahman, Pulse Health Care founder Rubaba Dowla, Green Delta Insurance MD Farzanah Chowdhury, Flora Bank MD Rafiul Islam, international cricket commentator and former cricketer Athar Ali Khan, former Miss Ventura County California and Johnson County USA Star Faruque, and Invicta Healthcare Ltd CEO and MD Dr Zareen Delawar Hussain.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader attended the event as a special guest at the grand finale.
Earlier on October 15, the crown of Miss Universe Bangladesh was unveiled at a gala event held in Amisheé Fine Jewelry store in Gulshan, Dhaka.
Registration for the competition began in the end of July. The first round of audition started with over 12,000 applicants. Then the elimination process started and, after three months of boot camp, a winner was chosen.
The franchise owner for Miss Universe is a consortium ofRiz Events, Off Track and Trilogy. Rizwan Bin Farouq is the chairman of Miss Universe Bangladesh, and Sohel A Chaklader Duke, Shafik Islam and Mithun Zaman are directors of the company.