Today, the 67th Miss Universe will be crowned in Bangkok, Thailand. The kingdom has previously crowned two queens: Namibia’s Michelle McLean in 1992 and Canada’s Natalie Glebova in 2005.
This year’s crop of candidates came ready to clinch the title. But as in any competition, some are more prepared than others. Here are the ones who can wear the Mikimoto Crown, live in a luxury apartment in New York, and have a year’s worth of travel, perks and privileges.
PHILIPPINES Elizabeth Berroya (’92) from Cagayan de Oro and Gionna Cabrera (’05) from Quezon City were unplaced at their respective campaigns. Cabrera, however, won Miss Photogenic. But Catriona, still reeling from an aborted stint at Miss World 2016, was immediately billed as “The Girl to Beat,” which is both a blessing and a curse. Fans find parallelisms with the captivating Carolina Iszak of Venezuela from ‘92, the Brooke Shields of the competition, who dominated the final rounds only to stop at the Top 6. The articulate, graceful and beautiful Cat, however, is perfect. That’s her only flaw.
PUERTO RICO The thorn in Cat’s throat at Miss World was a Puerto Rican, Stephanie del Valle. This time, it’s her compatriot who is proving to be Cat’s rival for the crown. Kiara Ortega has the exoticism of Zuleyka Rivera (Miss Universe ’06), the catwalk prowess of Denise QuinoNes (Miss Universe ’01) and the endearing charm of Dayanara Torres (Miss Universe ’93) in one gorgeous package. Puerto Rico has won in every decade since Marisol Malaret in 1970 then Deborah Carthy-Deu in 1985. No win yet for the 2010s but Kiara can complete the p
CANADA Sierra Bearchell (’16) and Lauren Howe (’17) both cracked the Top 10. Marta Magdalena Stepien could extend that streak, as the biomedical engineering technology student can bask in the Thais’ love for Natalie Glebova, who has made Thailand her home. Marta, of Polish descent, was Virreina at Reinado Internacional del Café 2018 but didn’t place at Miss International 2017. But she came prepared this time, wearing a Michael Cinco couture dress at the evening-gown prelims.
SOUTH AFRICA When she was crowned at her home pageant, Tamaryn Green instantly became a front-runner to succeed her countrywoman, reigning Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters. A back-to-back victory is rare at Miss Universe but the dusky model can pull this off.
VIETNAM This is the Cinderella story—from maid to Miss Universe contender—of the year. H’Hen Niê has the makings of another Kaci Fennell, the cropped-hair modelesque Jamaican that the crowd adored at Miss Universe 2014. Her fashion sense is enviable, being dressed by Linh San Couture, the same brand that compatriot Phuong Khanh wore to win Miss Earth 2018.
VENEZUELA After Carolina’s heartbreaking Top 6 finish in ’92, Mónica Spear placed fifth in 2005. The German/English/Venezuelan beauty was brutally murdered in 2014 after an attempted robbery. Sthefany Gutiérrez guarantees she won’t suffer the same fates as she is set to continue the powerhouse’s almost-assured placement at the finals. But why style herself as another tragic character, Pocahontas?
GREAT BRITAIN Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers is the second woman of color to ever represent Great Britain after Anita Saint Rose in 1996. An almost Olympic-level heptathlete and barrister, she works for A Sisterhood, a charity that raises funds and awareness for women who are victims of acid attacks. Miss World, born in London, is naturally more popular in her country, but Dee-Ann’s possible high placement (and Anna Maria Burdzy’s Top 16 last year) can swing that love in Miss Universe’s way.
SPAIN Undoubtedly the most controversial candidate before arriving in Bangkok, Angela Ponce is the torch bearer of the Miss Universe Organization’s mantra of inclusivity and diversity. The trailblazing transgender beauty is the new global LGBTQ icon. (Fade away, Caitlyn Jenner!) However, the rainbow path was paved by Patricia Rodriguez (1st Runner-Up, 2013) and Sofia del Prado (Top 10, 2017), who both came out as lesbians. The question is, will Angela’s participation open the floodgates for impending demands by “marginalized” pageant aspirants, such as single mothers, plus-sized and divorced women to be allowed to join Miss Universe?
THAILAND In its past two stagings, the host country has never placed in the semifinals. Will the US-educated (like Miss Universe 1988 and selection-committee member Bui Simon, the former Porntip Nakhirunkanok) Sophida Kanchanarin break this? Chalita Suansane (Top 6, 2016) and Maria Poonlertlarp (Top 5, 2017) were outstanding predecessors but Sophida hopes to at least equal what they’ve accomplished, right in their own backyard.
BELGIUM In a parade of nudes (inspired by Demi-Leigh’s and Iris Mittennaere’s), metallics, fringes and beads, Zoé Brunet’s orange tulle gown was a refreshing sight. Anke van Dermeersch, one of the long-legged delegates in 1992, placed at the Top 6. Zoé’s dazzling looks is due to her Mauritian heritage. She was crowned Miss World Cup 2018 (whatever that is) and is first runner-up at Miss Belgium to Angeline Flor Pua, the Filipina-Belgian who competed at Miss World.
ALTERNATES Everybody is just auditioning to be possible finalist/USA’s Sarah Rose Summers’s roommate, as I don’t think she’ll win after her unwitting xenophobic comments. India’s Nehal Chudasama is a contender. Curacao’s Akisha Albert has a commanding presence. Albania’s Trejsi Sejdini, a math and physics whiz with a bodacious personality, is the darling of the crowd. It’s a travesty if Colombia’s Valeria Morales can’t extend their four-year Top 5 placement. Ecuador’s Virginia Limongi and Nepal’s Manita Devkota, trained in the Philippines, will pull surprises. The delegates with Miss Universe doppelgangers are Russia’s Yulia Polyachikhina (Margarita Moran), Jamaica’s Emily Maddison (Pia Wurtzbach), Lebanon’s Maya Reaidy (Georgina Rizk), Ukraine’s Karina Zhosan (Shawn Weatherly) and Denmark’s Helena Heuser (Oxana Fedorova). Let’s see if Steve Harvey can spell Kyrgyzstan.
Image credits: Patrick Prather (Muo) and Amorn Pitayanant