[PHOTO] Miss Universe Croatia 2017 Crowned

Miss Universe Croatia 2017 Shanaelle Petty

The 21st Miss Universe Croatia has been crowned at a pageant in the capital Zagreb on Friday night.

More than 300 girls were whittled down to just 18 finalists and it was 19-year-old Shanaelle Petty from Slavonski Brod who was crowned the new Miss Universe Croatia 2017.

Miss Universe Croatia Shanaelle Petty with the two runners-up tonight (Facebook)

Miss Universe Croatia 2016 Barbara Filipović crowned Petty, who will represent Croatia at the prestigious pageant later in the year. Elena Jung (19) from Vodnjan was first runner-up, whilst 21-year-old Marijana Josipović from Osijek was Miss Photogenic.

Shanaelle Petty

Petty, who is 185 cm tall, was born in the United States to an American father and Croatian mother. After frequently visiting Croatia, she moved to live in Slavonski Brod a few years ago.

Shanaelle finished Terry Sanford High School in North Carolina. She loves to cook, play the piano and enjoys playing tennis and volleyball.