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African Beauty Queens Blocked from Miss Universe by US Travel Restrictions: Roseanna Hall and Pamela Mubanga Caught in Limbo
Compiled By: Gossip Maestro Editorial Desk | Published: November 14, 2026 | 5 min read
Strict United States visa curbs have thrown the 75th Miss Universe pageant into chaos, forcing Zambia's Pamela Mubanga to withdraw and leaving Zimbabwe's Roseanna Hall and South Sudan's Amylia Deng fighting for their place on the international stage in Puerto Rico.
The 75th edition of the Miss Universe pageant has been overshadowed by geopolitical hurdles as sweeping United States visa restrictions threaten to exclude several top African beauty queens. With contestants already gathering in Puerto Rico for the grand finale on November 24, representatives from Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Sudan have found themselves caught in an administrative nightmare.
Miss Universe Zimbabwe Roseanna Hall Races Against Time
Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Roseanna Hall, has been fighting a frustrating battle from her base in South Africa to secure the necessary travel authorization to enter Puerto Rico—a US territory where the pageant is being hosted.
Roseanna Hall Speaks Out on Social Media:“Officially, today is the day that I was supposed to be leaving for Puerto Rico... but unfortunately, due to the partial ban on Zimbabwe and other nations by the United States, we have been back and forth trying to get my visa approved.”
Hall noted that she is far from alone in her predicament, revealing that she has been in close contact with fellow African contestants facing identical obstacles as pre-pageant registration and wardrobe fittings get underway.
Zambia Formally Withdraws Pamela Mubanga
While Zimbabwean and South Sudanese representatives fight to make the trip, the travel impasse has already claimed its first official casualty. Zambia has formally withdrawn its contestant, Pamela Mubanga, from the global competition.
Official Miss Universe Zambia Statement
The registered nurse was crowned Miss Universe Zambia on October 8 and was fully prepared to represent her country on the global stage before visa doors slammed shut.
The Miss Universe organisation in Zambia clarified that Mubanga's exit was entirely due to US state policy rather than personal documentation, paperwork, or organizational failures.
Presidential Proclamation 10998 Explained
The travel bottlenecks stem from Presidential Proclamation 10998, signed by Donald Trump, which took effect on January 1, 2026. The order suspended or limited entry and visa issuance for nationals across 39 countries.
South Sudan's 50/50 Hopes & Broader African Fallout
Miss South Sudan, Amylia Deng—who recently made history as her nation's first-ever representative at the pageant—revealed that her own journey to Puerto Rico hangs in a delicate balance.
Amylia Deng on Instagram:“We’re in the same situation. It’s 50/50 whether we’ll make it to Miss Universe. Hopefully... we both make it.”
According to regional reports, at least five other African countries are facing comparable bureaucratic blockades, casting a heavy pall over what was meant to be a historic celebration of diverse international beauty and culture at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contestants from countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia are facing severe visa delays and bans due to US Presidential Proclamation 10998, which restricted entry and visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries because the pageant is being hosted in Puerto Rico, a US territory.
Miss Universe Zimbabwe Roseanna Hall and Miss South Sudan Amylia Deng are racing against time with 50/50 prospects, while Miss Universe Zambia Pamela Mubanga was forced to officially withdraw from the competition.
The grand finale of the 75th Miss Universe pageant is scheduled for November 24, 2026, at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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We will continue monitoring developments around the 75th Miss Universe pageant and providing real-time updates on Roseanna Hall's visa battle.
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