Argentina will send a new representative to the 75th Miss Universe competition after national titleholder Tamara Rogouski withdrew less than three months before the international pageant in Puerto Rico.
The Miss Universe Argentina Organization announced that Rogouski, who made history as the first mother to win the national crown, will not participate in the global competition because of undisclosed personal circumstances.
"Due to personal matters and as deemed appropriate for her interests, Tamara Rogouski, Miss Universe Argentina 2026, will not participate in the 75th edition of Miss Universe," the organization said in a Spanish-language statement.
The organization did not provide additional details about Rogouski's decision and asked the public to treat her situation with respect. It expressed its "love, support and gratitude" to the model while wishing her strength during the process.
Daiana Stefani Pereyra, the first runner-up in the national competition, will now represent Argentina at Miss Universe 2026 in San Juan. Although the organization's announcement spelled her surname "Pereira," the contestant has consistently used "Pereyra" professionally and on her verified social media profiles.
"Beginning today, a new challenge starts for Argentina," the organization said, asking supporters to rally behind Pereyra as she assumes the responsibility of representing the country.
Rogouski, 28, won Miss Universe Argentina on May 25 at the Teatro Metropolitan in Buenos Aires. Representing the northeastern province of Misiones, she defeated 31 other contestants and also received the competition's Best Face award.
Her victory attracted attention because she became Argentina's first mother to win the national title following changes to the Miss Universe eligibility rules. The international organization began allowing married women and mothers to compete in 2023 and later eliminated its upper age limit for adult contestants.
Originally from Puerto Iguazú, Rogouski began modeling at age 12 and worked on runways in Argentina and neighboring Paraguay. She holds a marketing degree, works as an ontological coach and is the mother of a young daughter named Sophi.
During the national competition, Rogouski presented motherhood as an important part of her platform and encouraged young people to begin pursuing their goals without waiting for ideal circumstances.
Her selection had been celebrated as a milestone for a pageant system seeking to move beyond older definitions of the women eligible to compete. The organization has not said whether Rogouski will retain the Miss Universe Argentina 2026 title despite relinquishing the international assignment.
Pereyra, also 28, entered the national competition representing La Pampa, although she was born in Misiones. She brings considerable pageant experience to the assignment and will have only a few months to prepare for the world stage.
In addition to working as a flight attendant and model, Pereyra represented Argentina at Miss Intercontinental in 2022. She later won Miss Universe Misiones 2023 and competed at Miss International 2025 in Tokyo, where she placed among the top 20.
Pereyra was considered one of the favorites during Miss Universe Argentina 2026. She won an award for Best Look early in the competition before finishing second to Rogouski in the final.
"Being Miss Universe La Pampa means much more than a crown to me," Pereyra said during the national contest. "It means discipline, preparation, attitude and the responsibility of representing so many women who fight every day for their dreams."
The 75th Miss Universe competition will take place in November at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, commonly known as El Choliseo. The San Juan venue can accommodate approximately 18,500 people.
More than 130 delegates from countries and territories around the world are expected to compete. The final is scheduled for Nov. 24, following the national costume presentation on Nov. 21 and the preliminary competition on Nov. 22.
Puerto Rico will host Miss Universe for the fourth time, following editions held on the island in 1972, 2001 and 2002. Mexico's Fátima Bosch, the reigning Miss Universe, is expected to crown her successor.
Argentina has won Miss Universe once. Norma Nolan captured the international crown in 1962, making Pereyra the latest contestant attempting to end the country's 64-year wait for a second title.
