10. Colombia (Camila Avella)
Camilla is the 1st married woman and mom to be crowned as Miss Universe Colombia and is presented here at Miss Universe. I felt like it can be challenging and pressuring when you are the pioneer of being a few first moms in the contest. She didn't make us second guess or anything at all really that she already married. Her performance in swimsuit, evening gown, and national costume is very captivating and a great show to watch.
9. Puerto Rico (Karla Guilfú)
Karla Inelisse Guilfú Acevedo is a Puerto Rican model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023. She was previously crowned Miss Supranational Puerto Rico 2021 and competed at Miss Supranational 2021 where she placed 1st Runner-Up. To be honest, I was so mesmerized by her performance and her aura that I can tell she has a lot of experiences. Her liveness and elegance are very magnetic.
No doubt that she's one strong contestant for this year and everything on the stage is obvious proof.
8. South Africa (Bryoni Govender)
With her unique face and heritage, Govender was born to parents of South African Indian descent. She is a qualified lawyer who is working as a trainee associate, whilst awaiting admission to become an attorney. I remember as she walked out, I was so impressed by how beautiful and intelligence can combine like this. She is such an inspiration for all the young lawyers out there.
7. Russia (Margarita Golubeva)
Like Germany, Russia is another country that I didn't usually consider strong for a beauty pageant competition, but Margarita has exceeded my expectations.
Every round she came with confidence in herself and in the costume that she was wearing. I enjoyed her performance a lot and after I was impressed with her swimsuit performance. I'm eager to see her next performance and in the final gown.
6. Pakistan (Erica Robin)
Erica is a Pakistani model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned the first-ever Miss Universe Pakistan 2023. I believe one reason is that Pakistan is an Islamic country that has restricted rules for women wearing swimsuits. But the years with Miss Universe has opened more doors and given more opportunity for more inclusivity. She was able to attend, but instead of wearing a swimsuit, she wore this pink dress instead, but I must say her performance was still great. She walked with such energy that you can't keep your eyes off her. So I hope her first year will land her in the top 10.
Now here is my TOP 5!!! I must say that I was at war with myself quite a bit trying to make this list, because like I said. They were all so great, but yes let me say one more time. My prediction was based heavily on the preliminary round.
5. Philippines (Michelle Dee)
I have to say that I was so biased for the Philippines. Because they were able to send all soooo very very very unbelievably great and strong each year. I felt like the Philippines had won Miss Universe so many times already, so I wanted to give the chance to other countries. But when I saw Michelle Dee, I knew I couldn't keep her away from the top 5. With the title of winning Miss World Philippines in 2019, I know she'll be the one to watch and it is so. Every moment on stage, she nailed it perfectly. Her eyes and her inner self were shouting out and complimenting all her looks. She'll make it to the final. I'm sure.
4. India (Shweta Sharda)
Sharda works as a model and dancer. She moved to Mumbai at the age of 16 to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer. She has appeared in several reality shows. Sharda is a self-taught dancer and is known for her versatility and technical skills. She is also a choreographer and has choreographed several dance routines for television shows and music videos. I saw that on the Miss Universe page that she always enjoys the time with other contestants and always teaches them to dance, which is so cute! Apart from her gorgeous face, I'm such a big fan of India's representative so much. With her skill in dancing, she was able to perform on stage very uniquely and captivatingly. And I expected nothing less in the final.
3. El Salvador (Isabella García-Manzo)
Talking about Fan favorite this year is impossible to exclude Isabella from the list. As this year El Salvador has hosted the 72nd Miss Universe and a lot of people are coming to cheer for her.
Every time she was gonna come on stage and people saw a glimpse of her shadow, the hall went completely wild and, to be frank, they should. Because she was such a great and strong contestant whose performance was never a letdown. I'm very sure that she gonna make it far to the finals.
2. Nicaragua (Sheynnis Palacios)
I've been hearing that this year Nicaragua has sent a super strong and outstanding delegate to the stage. People have been saying that she is gonna win the crown this year and watching her perform on stage and everything, I have nothing else to say but to agree with them. She was poise and radiant. Every round since swimsuit, evening gown, and national costume, she had it in the park. Another one that I'm very sure she was gonna make it to top 5 and even top 2.
1. Thailand (Anntonia Porsild)
But ooooooooof course! I have to root for my girl and my home country THAILAND. She was not just a definition of beauty on the outside but also from within. She might not be the loudest or the most extroverted but she carried herself with elegance and maturity, which is something we don't see much from a pageant like this. My favorite moment from her is with the national costume as she dressed up as the earth deity who granted us mortal with the most valuable thing, water. And I think that what she gave us Thai, the hope of winning the third Miss Universe crown for Thailand. And I really really hope this year would be so.
That's it, everybody. Now I just have to wait to see if my prediction was right and if Thailand gonna get the 3rd crown we hoped for or not. I can't wait to see how this turned out! Lastly, I hope you all enjoy the show (if you were to watch it) or just enjoy your day and keep doing what brings you joy (Like me watching a beauty pageant).
Khob khun kaa,
Nomnomnoodle 🍜