A scandal has erupted online surrounding the selection of Russia's representative for the international beauty pageant "Miss Universe — 2026". The organizers announced that 21-year-old Alexandra Stashkevich, a native of Tyumen, would represent the country. Following this, Alena Lesnyak, the first runner-up of Miss Russia — 2025, stated that information about the casting for the competition was closed.

Stashkevich's candidacy sparked a flurry of questions from the public, suspicions of rule violations, and favoritism towards the model from an influential patron. The competition organizers announced Stashkevich's selection recently, stating: "We believe in Alexandra's success and will support her every step of the way to the Miss Universe — 2026 crown."

Lesnyak, a 21-year-old from Crimea, recorded a video on social media where she admitted to being "a little upset" by the decision. She explained that this year, the organizers did not hold the traditional "Miss Russia" competition at all, which serves as the official qualifying stage. According to Lesnyak, the management held a completely closed casting: "Apparently, this year the selection was conducted according to different rules, it was closed, and it was impossible to get in. No one submitted any applications, it was a closed casting. It's not entirely clear to me how and when the selections took place. So, force majeure."

Lesnyak also explained the situation by her lack of an American visa, which is necessary for the trip to the competition, which this year will be held in Puerto Rico. According to her, there is little time left until the final, and "objectively, she would not be able to go there now." At the same time, the model emphasized that the management did not warn her in advance about the need to prepare documents. "However, if I had known about it in advance, I would have done everything possible and impossible to get this visa and worthily represent our country," Alena noted. Nevertheless, she wished Stashkevich good luck, calling her "a girl of beautiful beauty" who "will worthily represent Russia on a global level."

It is worth noting that the winner of the "Miss Russia—2025" competition was Anastasia Venza — a 22-year-old model from the Moscow region, who had already represented the country at "Miss Universe" in the same year, but did not make it into the top 30 finalists.

Questions regarding Stashkevich's candidacy also arose online. Many noticed that the girl participated in the "Miss Russia" competition back in 2023 and only made it into the top ten finalists, not winning a prize. Now users are guessing why the organizers chose a finalist from previous years. The competition management has not provided official comments on the selection principles.

"Very beautiful! But why a top-10 finalist from 2023?", "What about the selection for 'Miss Russia' and the girls who participated in the castings? Why a participant from 2023?", "Undoubtedly, a very beautiful and worthy girl! However, in my opinion, the right to represent our country should have gone to the 1st or 2nd runner-up of Miss Russia 2025, and not a finalist of the 'Miss Russia — 2023' competition," users write on the selection organizer's page.

The situation is also being discussed in major Telegram channels, where suspicions about Stashkevich having an influential patron have already been voiced. In one of the channels, they joked that the "daily incredible achievements" of another beauty pageant winner, holding the title "Miss Russia — 2024," are "yesterday's news." (Recall that 20-year-old Alekseeva is actively discussed online now due to her relationship with a businessman 30 years her senior). "To hell with such formalities as national selection (which simply didn't happen in 2026). This one really has strong backing. The first runner-up of Miss Russia — 2025 Alena Lesnyak, who missed out on the 'closed casting,' will, of course, be the most upset. Oh, girls," they wrote in the channel. "They selected [for 'Miss Universe'] for the first time without the 'Miss Russia' competition, but in some closed way," commented journalist Madonna Mur.

At the same time, one of the factors in Stashkevich's selection was allegedly the fact that she had a valid US visa, which is difficult to obtain now. Alexandra herself is a seven-time Russian cheerleading champion and a future sports journalist.

The anniversary 75th international "Miss Universe — 2026" competition will be held in November in Puerto Rico. This pageant traditionally belongs to the "Big Four" of the most prestigious international beauty competitions on the planet.