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December 9, 2025 | 1:55pm
Paula Shugart speaks during the unveiling of the Miss Universe titleholder crown "Force for Good" during a press conference at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on January 12, 2023.
Getty Images via AFP / Josh Brasted
MANILA, Philippines — The former president of the Miss Universe Organization Paula Shugart has been tapped to judge the Miss Cosmo 2025 pageant for the second year in a row.
Shugart was a jury member at the inaugural 2024 edition of the Vietnam-based competition, which crowned Indonesia's Ketut Permata "Tata" Juliastrid as its first winner.
Her fellow co-judges last year were Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, former Miss Universe Vietnam titleholders H'Hen Niê and Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyên, diplomat Pham Quang Vinh, and businessman George Chien.
In announcing her participation, the Miss Cosmo organization described Paula as "one of the most influential figures in the global pageant and television production industry, shaping international standards of beauty, stagecraft, and storytelling." It also highlighted how her work in entertainment, creative direction, and cultural representation.
Miss Cosmo also took note of Paula's role in the inaugural pageant, and said that by inviting her back, it reflects the pageant's "shared dedication to fostering a competition defined by integrity, purpose, and global relevance."
"We are delighted to welcome Paula back to Vietnam, where her presence and professional warmth have left a meaningful impression," Miss Cosmo ended. "Her participation in Miss Cosmo 2025 will continue to inspire this year's candidates to pursue the crown with clarity, conviction, and the courage to make an impact."
No other jury members have been announced yet but Miss Cosmo revealed that local singers Truc Nhan and Van Mai Huong, Miss Cosmo Vietnam 2024 Bùi Xuân Hanh, and reigning titleholder Tata were tapped as performers.
Last year, the Philippines' Ahtisa Manalo finished in the Top 10 of Miss Cosmo 2024. The Filipina beauty queen ended as the third runner-up at the recently concluded Miss Universe 2025.
Ahtisa's Miss Universe Philippines batchmate, Chelsea Fernandez, is representing the country at this year's edition as she hopes to add to what has been a banner year for Philippine pageantry.
RELATED: Vanquishing the 'Vietnam Curse': Chelsea Fernandez aims to win Miss Cosmo 2025
