MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT
POSITIVE SURPRISES from the latest 10 editions
(from 2008 to 2017)
by: Alvin Sebetero
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Good Day everyone.
As my Valentine treat to every pageant lovers out there, we will be discussing the most positive surprises from the last 10 editions of Miss Universe --- which means, we will be looking from 2008 to 2017.
We usually see favorites placing and some are missing the cut but it is always refreshing to see some unexpected performers. This is why we really cannot depend on what we see on the preliminaries because once the ladies make the first cut, some are even shining. Now, let's talk about them one by one.
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***2008***
VERA KRASOVA, Russia, (3rd runner-up)
- Who would ever forget this Russian beauty? In the year filled with shockingly bad placements like Hungary, Japan, Vietnam --- thank goodness we have someone like Russia. Her Top 15 and Top 10 placement is already expected but seeing her in the Top 5 is a pleasant surprise. With the fall of heavy favorites from Spain and USA, she surprisingly manage to sneak into the Top 5. During the final question, she gave a very sweet answer and I know that many are expecting she'll already get the 4th runner-up spot because the four Latinas are too strong --- but No. She even beat Mexico putting her 5th and giving herself a worthy 4th place.
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***2009***
GONA DRAGUSHA, Kosovo (2nd runner-up)
- Here comes another year of horrible placements with Croatia, Iceland, Belgium, Albania. With it's second year in the competition, we knew that Kosovo sent out another good contender. After the swimsuit competition, it was a good performance and the Top 10 placement was expected but I bet not many pageant fans expected her to go all the way in the Top 5. But when she comes out of that stage during the evening gown, we already knew right then that Dominican Republic got a strong competition now. When she made the Top 5, every one was thrilled of her placement. But when the result was announced, it was the historic back-to-back that no one saw coming leaving the favorite Dominican Republic in 2nd place and Kosovo in 3rd place.
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***2010***
JESSICA SCHEEL, Guatemala (Top 10)
- This is undoubtedly the most positive and surprising placement of 2010. Jessica ended Guatemala's long drought. When she came out, I thought she was only good til' the Top 15 but seeing her advanced in the Top 10 is both surprising and exciting. Her evening gown performance was not the best but I loved it. Her exclusion in the Top 5 was no surprise but seeing her reach that far was something Guatemala could be proud of.
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***2011***
LEILA LOPES, Angola (Winner)
- When all eyes and bets are on USA, Philippines and China winning, Angola's victory is something that we can call a surprising but satisfying victory.I still remember the times where no one predicted her victory and majority even placed her on low bets. When Angola qualified in the Top 16, it was no surprise. I wasn't even gonna call her performance one of the best. But when evening gown comes, the crowd's cheer and her personality just sealed her a Top 5 spot. Finally, when she received that question and answered it in the most cheerful, adorable and charismatic way, I bet we already knew that Angola owns that crown.
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***2012***
AGNES KONKOLY, Hungary (Top 10)
- She was one of my sentimental favorites to place this year and I am so thrilled when Hungary was called in the semifinals. I truly loved her swimsuit performance although it would beem forgettable for others. When she entered the Top 10, I was even more thrilled of it. But sadly, the gown choice was poor which made me think that she didn't prepare enough for it because probably she wasn't expecting to reach that far. But either way, it was a great accomplishment.
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***2013***
CONSTANZA BAEZ, Ecuador (2nd runner-up)
- This was a total surprise for me --- but a good one. When she was called in the semifinals, I was very pleased because this was a justice served after what happened to Carolina Aguirre in 2012. But when the competition starts, I didn't expect her to slay it. To be honest, I was even expecting she would be one of the last two standing after seeing all her performances but a 2nd runner-up placement was a well-deserved one and it would probably take a bit long again before we see Ecuador surpass and reach this placement again.
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***2014***
NETHERLANDS, Yasmin Verheijen (3rd runner-up)
- Although this placement may have pissed many fans, this was totally one of the best positive surprises of this year. Netherlands' placement came out of nowhere and seeing her advance from Top 15 to Top 10 to Top 5 was a complete shocker to all of us. I know her placement is a bit high but looking at the entire show again, you'd definitely realize that she truly deserves it. Ofcourse, with the exception of her placing above my favorite Kaci Fennell from Jamaica.
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***2015***
CURACAO, Kanisha Sluis (Top 10)
- Another surprising but good placement in the start of IMG era. Performance-wise, I wouldn't really call it a ''wow'' thing. But in the IMG era where strong profile and women empowerment is a huge hit, there's no wonder that Kanisha would place. Her Top 15 placement was unexpected but during the show, seeing her advance even further to the Top 10 was a really good choice. She totally deserves to bring Curacao back on the map.
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***2016***
HAITI, Raquel Pelissier (1st runner-up)
- What a positive surprise for 2016. Probably, one of the reason why many --- including myself, ignored her because of her weak sash. But it was no question that she slayed every round of the competition. I was betting on France this year and I was even nervous seeing her in the final two because everybody knows that she did well. A first-runner-up placement was indeed a great comeback for her country.
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***2017***
JAMAICA, Davina Bennett (2nd runner-up)
- Well, this is probably fresh to all of us and indeed one of the best surprises of all. We know Jamaica have the package to enter the Top 16 but I bet no one (except the Jamaicans, maybe) would expect that she would go as far as Top 3. One of my favorites profile among the 2017 contestants and one of the most likeable as well. It was even interesting when some people even jump to Jamaica's bandwagon and is betting on her to win after the Top 5 announcement. She may not went home with the crown but she indeed went home with so much love and admiration from pageant fans.
THANK YOU FOR READING!!!