Drita Ziri of Albania is Miss Earth 2023
Drita Ziri of Albania of the Philippines has been crowned Miss Earth 2023!
A model and TV host from Fushë-Krujë, Ziri bested 84 other delegates for the title. She's the first Albanian to win the Miss Earth crown.
Miss Earth Air is Philippines, Miss Earth Water is Vietnam, and Miss Earth Fire is Thailand. The Albanian beauty queen succeeds the previous titleholder Mina Sue Choi of South Korea.
MISS EARTH IS MISS ALBANIA!
Philippines’ Yllana Aduana is Miss Earth-Air. #MissEarth2023
📷: Screenshots from Miss Earth Official YouTube pic.twitter.com/Eex5Xjq84Z— PhilSTAR L!fe (@philstarlife) December 22, 2023
In the top 4 Q&A, the delegates were asked: "An official at the recent climate conference was quoted as saying there is no science behind the phaseout of fossil fuels. Do you agree with this? Why or why not?"
Ziri answered: "I do believe that a lot that's happening to our Earth right now regarding also this problem is because of people is because of unawareness is because of not thinking that they do really have the impact to do the undoing, to actually make progress in this world."
"And I believe if we can plant the seed of love, we are going to carry all the other values we need to have persistency, consistency, determination, and actually passion for caring for our Earth. I have passion about our advocacy. That's why I'm right here in front of you today."
Ziri is no stranger to pageantry, winning the Miss Shqiperia 2022 title and participating in Miss Globe 2022 where she finished as second runner-up.
The beauty queen is an advocate of the oceans, saying in an interview for Miss Earth: "A healthy ocean is essential to all life on Earth. The ocean is not limitless, and today, marine species and ecosystems are facing unprecedented threats due to human use and destructive practices. That is why I do my best to keep our oceans clean.
For special awards, Vietnam won Best in Appearance, Philippines won Best Bikini, Vietnam won Best National Costume, Indonesia won Miss People's Choice, Kazakhstan won Best Evening Gown, New Zealand won Best Talent, Team Europe won Best Eco Presentation,
The 23rd Miss Earth pageant was held at the Vạn Phúc City in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Vietnam will once again host the next Miss Earth pageant in 2024.