Arijana Podgajski crowned Miss Universe Croatia 2022

Arijana Podgajski was crowned  Miss Universe Hrvatska 2022 (aka Miss Universe Croatia 2022) at the end of the final, held at the Emerald Hall of the Esplanade Hotel in Zaghreb on May 23, 2022. The 19 year-old from the northern town of Krapina bested 13 other finalists to win this crown and to succeed Miss Universe Croatia 2021, Ora Antonia Ivanisevic. Thirteen girls did a preliminary competition the day before the final night, which included scoring in swimwear and a solo 10-minute interview in front of members of the preliminary jury. The path to the title of Miss Universe was not easy at all, as girls also responded to a number of topics such as the right to pageant, mental health, freedom of speech and the right to protest, changing beauty standards and global poverty. With this title, she earns the opportunity to represent her country at the 2022 edition of Miss Universe pageant, later this year.

Arijana, who studies at the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, speaks English, likes to train at home, practice yoga, walk in nature, read a good book. She is proud of herself for always trying to find something good and educational in all bad situations.

As Miss Universe Croatia, Arijana wants to advocate for mental health, women’s rights and abandoned animals. She and her mother visited an abandoned animal shelter and took them for a walk.

The 2022 Miss Universe Croatia’s court include

1st runner-up – Klaudija Krezić from Sesvete,

2nd runner-up – Veronika Đerek from Ivanić Grad

Antonela Zvonković was named Miss Congeniality.