“It is 50/50 whether we will make it, Miss Universe,” Miss Universe South Sudan remarked as contestants for the global beauty pageant face severe travel obstacles.
Miss Universe Zimbabwe Roseanna Hall and several other African representatives are currently in limbo as partial United States visa restrictions threaten their participation in the 75th edition of the competition, BBC News reported.
Contestants began arriving in Puerto Rico on November 8 for registration, fittings, and pre-pageant activities. Meanwhile, Hall has remained stuck in South Africa while racing to secure her travel documents ahead of the grand finale scheduled for November 24 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan.
“We have been back and forth, trying to get my visa approved,” Hall said in a video posted on her Instagram page, as detailed by IOL.
The travel disruptions stem from Presidential Proclamation 10998, which took effect on 1 January 2026. The directive partially suspended visitor, student, exchange, and immigrant visa issuances for nationals from 19 countries, citing concerns over identity management and screening.
The policy has already forced Zambia to formally withdraw its representative, Pamela Mubanga. The Miss Universe organization in Zambia noted that Mubanga’s situation resulted directly from the presidential travel restriction rather than individual documentation issues.
“Unlike situations where a contestant’s visa is denied due to personal circumstances, documentation or organisational challenges, Mubanga’s situation is linked to the United States’ presidential travel restriction affecting Zambia and other African countries,” the statement read.
Mubanga, a 25-year-old registered nurse, was crowned Miss Universe Zambia on October 8. Five other African nations are facing similar difficulties, according to the Zambian organization.
Hall noted that she has spent the past few weeks in South Africa attempting to resolve her status. “I am not alone in this predicament. Some of my African sisters are facing the same predicament, and I know exactly what they are going through,” she said.
In a separate video shared on social media, Hall maintained her resolve. “After all the hard work and preparations that I have put in over the past months, I will not give up,” she told Briefly News. She said: “Today is the day that I was supposed to be leaving for Puerto Rico for the 75th edition of Miss Universe.”
She also expressed gratitude to the Zimbabwean government, the Miss Universe Zimbabwe organization and board, and local supporters, utilizing the Shona phrase “Ndunoku Tendai Jikuru” to thank the public.
She also used a phrase in Shona: “Ndunoku Tendai Jikuru,” meaning she was grateful from the bottom of her heart. Despite the setback, Roseanna said she would not surrender the fight. She said: “You as the people, you have truly rallied behind me and supported me throughout.”
“Relax, God is working” @gianii_counsellor_mckendrick wrote. “Forward you go” @jesssra cheered.
The winner of the 75th Miss Universe pageant is set to be crowned on November 24.
