Contestant 2026

• The Miss Universe organization declared contestants from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Singapore ineligible for the 75th pageant on September 18. • This decision follows a dispute involving national franchises and directly affects Thailand's representative, Tharina Botes. • The exclusion prevents representatives from six Southeast Asian nations from competing in the upcoming international competition.

• Chris Appleton, the celebrity hair stylist for Britney Spears, has been announced as the fourth contestant for the 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing. • Appleton joins a growing cast that already includes Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, and actress Lacey Turner. • The announcement sparked immediate social media excitement, with fellow celebrities like Dean McCullough and Tasha Ghouri offering their congratulations on Instagram.

• Lacey Turner, best known for playing Stacey Slater in the BBC soap 'EastEnders', has been announced as the first celebrity contestant for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing. • Turner is a highly decorated actress who has won multiple awards for her soap role and has appeared in various TV dramas and stage productions, including the series 'Our Girl'. • This announcement marks the beginning of the casting reveal for the 2026 competition, with Turner expressing that she is "so excited" to join the dance contest.