Finally the time has come for the most awaited pageant in the world. In just a few days, 87 of the world's most beautiful, charming, sweet and competitive ladies will be making their way to the world's largest country..........Moscow Russia!!!!! This will be the first time in quite a while since a European country has hosted Miss Universe and I'm anticipating an amazing show. The batch on a whole for me is a normal one, I don't think it's better or worst than last year's. This year the strongest continent is Europe and I'm glad they took advantage of it, because a European Miss Universe is long overdue.
BUBBLES:
Nicaragua: Nastassja Bolivar
Nastassja had a rough start as Miss Nicaragua 2013. She used to look old and worn out, however, as Miss Universe is approaching you can't help but notice how well she has transformed. She is now looking like a true queen, with an amazing body and killer catwalk. Nicaragua has a very weak sash at Miss Universe, however, if Nastassja is styled well, she could make it past the first cut. She was also the winner of Nuestra Belleza Latina, so the experience and exposure is a big plus here.
Ecuador: Constanza Baez
After the beautiful Carolina clapped last year, Ecuador didn't lose hope, this year they crowned another stunner, who has had one of the most successful transformation. Constanza does not channel the usual “fierce diva” energy that we are accustomed to see from the Latina's. She is channeling the sweet and innocent vibe that Miss Universe has been looking for lately and I think it might work in her favor. Apart from being beautiful, Constanza has a bangin' body and she also underwent training in Venezuela from which I'm anticipating a great performance.
Indonesia: Whulandary Herman
Whulan and I are now history! I used to love this girl sooooo much, but after the constant revelation of her pics, she has become too common. Nevertheless, I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt, because she is the BEST candidate Indonesia has ever sent to Miss Universe. She is also a professional model, so that experience should help her. Her downfalls IMO are her body (which looks like pure bones) and sash factor. However, I heard rumors that her body is in better shape now. So if that's true, along with a great performance, she could crack the top 16.
Netherlands: Stephanie Tency
She is not being noticed by many people, which is understandable because Europe is extremely strong this year. However, Stephanie is a major underdog and has had a decent transformation. Her face is not the strongest compared to other candidates, but it is decent enough to get her noticed. If she plays her cards right, along with the backup of Chi, she could make the cut and even go further.
Dominican Republic: Yaritza Reyes
Considering how weak the black queens are this year, Yaritza has a high chance of making it. One of her major asset is her hair, which makes you recognize her from miles. Her beauty is a combination of Yendi Philipps and Bodine Koehler for me, however, her hair (as amazing as it is) always take away from her physical features when let out. I hope she is given the right styling, because this ebony cannot miss the cut.
India: Manasi Moghe
If Manasi was crowned a few months earlier, she would've been a reckon to deal with at Miss Universe. After being crowned for a mere few weeks, one can see clearly how fast she is transforming. Her beauty always stands out in group pics and at one time she even overshadowed the current Miss Universe. One of Manasi's biggest downfall is her body. She has the curves in all the right places, however, they need major toning. Even though she has a disappointing body, we cannot ignore the fact that this is the best representative India has had in the last three years.
TOP 16:
Elmira Abdrazakova
Elmira is the only contestant who has a 95% chance of placing right now and that's because the pageant is being held in her homeland and usually there is a spot for the home girl. However, there was some sort of controversy involving her that had to do with her not being a pure Russian or something and I feel that might haunt her. Enough of politics, I personally don't find Elmira on the same level as previous Miss Russia's. She is always given poor styling and her smile is a bit awkward to me. But she has a great personality and that could work in her favor behind the doors.
Olga Storozhenko
Olga is a goddess! She is extremely photogenic and she stands out in candids, however, I'm a bit concerned about her personality on stage. She is giving me the vibes of Diana Avdiu (Miss Kosovo 2012), who has a flawless face, but cold personality on stage. If this turns out to be true, I hope she does something about it, because a face like this cannot be wasted!
Dominique Rinderknecht
Dominique is a contestant one cannot hate. She does not have the best face in this competition, but her beauty is enough for her to get noticed. Two things that sets her apart from the other contestants is her short blond hair and bubbly personality. I would've been happier to see her sporting longer hair because it compliments her face, but I do think this beauty is going to put up a good fight.
Amy Willerton
I'm not 100% convinced about Amy as yet. When she is not styled properly, she looks like a hot mess and when she is styled properly, she looks phenomenal. She has one of the best body in this edition and she is also one of the tallest candidates, so I hope she would capitalize on those two things. I've seen her in action as well and she is pretty decent, but as mentioned before, she needs to maintain proper styling.
Lucia Aldana
Many people are underestimating Lucia and I can't understand why? I know she looks lost in many of her candids (which is her only problem in my eyes), but she is amazing on stage. When she goes out there she knows what she is doing! Facially she is the best latina and she has an amazing body to match her face. But at the end of the day, it all depends on how well she plays her game.
Erin Brady
I used to think that Erin was an upgrade from Olivia, but after visiting her official thread I was a bit disappointed. She is styled poorly, she seems tired and she looks older than her age. In terms of stage projections I have to admit that that is her stronghold, but if she is not careful, her beauty would be overshadowed by many of the other candidates.
TOP 10:
Luna Voce
Luna is probably one of the best representatives coming from Italy in quite a while. She is beautiful and has the pageant experience to help her. She also have the sponsor of the swimwear (Yamamay) to give her a lead.
Melita Fabecic
Melita is one of my sentimental favorites, however, I'm a bit concerned about her as of lately. She is certainly a drop dead gorgeous contender for the Miss Universe title, but she is exuding too much of that sexy, seductive vibe. I'm afraid if she portrays that in her presentations, she might get cut very fast, which would be heartbreaking. However, if she opt for the more elegant and calm look, she could very well win the title and continue the “C” scenario (California, Connecticut and Croatia).
Patricia Rodriguez
Patricia is gorgeous! Her beauty jumps right at you and it makes you want more of her. She looks a bit similar to Melita IMO, but unlike Melita, she does not give you the sexy and seductive vibe. Patricia also competed in Miss World where she placed amongst the top 15, so that exposure should definitely help her.
Maria Gabriela Isler
Maria may not be in the same league of previous Miss Venezuela's based on actual physical beauty, but she is a stand out in her own way. During the course of her reign she has transformed into a beautiful swan, who is ready to take Russia like an earthquake. She used to have these huge jaw bones, but now with the right styling, you could hardly notice it. The unique thing about Maria is her elegant and down to earth personality, which sets her apart from the other candidates.
Olivia Wells
After years of sending the same type of blonde queens, we finally got something different from Australia. A lot people are underestimating Olivia, but she is going to bring it when it matters most. She is smart, amazing on stage and she has a great personality. In my opinion, Olivia is the type of beauty Miss Universe has been looking for lately, calm and simple. Even though she isn't a blonde, I'm having the feeling that Olivia will surpass her predecessors placement and capture the DNL.
Top 5:
Jakelyne Oliveira
Finally Brazil is sending a queen who is young, fresh and does not have “plastic surgery” stamped across her face. Jakelyne is another one of my favorites and I think many people are underestimating her abilities. From pictures she does not stand out very much, but her beauty is a knock-out in motion. Her advantage over the other delegates are her extremely toned body, her amazing catwalk and strong stage presence. This Brazilian babe certainly has what it takes to put Brazil in the top 5 for the third consecutive time.
Ariella Arida
Ariella has had quite a bumpy transformation. There were times when you could see improvements and there are times when she was back to square one. But lately, she has been looking a lot better and she has also started to be a bit more consistent with her looks. One of the things I don't like about Ariella is her lifeless personality when speaking. She comes across as the girl who speaks just because she has to speak. There is no emotion nor personality in her words. With Mutya wining Miss Supranational, Megan wining Miss World and Janine's first Runner Up placement in Miss Universe last year, the pressure on Ariella is extremely high, however, she is humble and confident, which are two things that will work in her favor.
Hinarani De Longeaux
Hina and I had quite a journey. I used to bash her because of my strong preference for Marine, but as days go by she has proved that she is worthy of being a queen. Her major advantage over the other delegates are her unique and exotic features, which makes you notice her right away. But, she does not know her angles and often times her pictures comes out underwhelming. I have confidence in her though, because she has an extremely strong team behind her.
Paulina Krupinska
Paulina certainly has no bad angles, her beauty stands out in every aspect even when she is styled poorly. But while she has the face of Miss Universe 2013, it is not enough. I'm a bit concerned with her body, weak sash along with politics. She has the highest chance facially to capture the crown for Europe, but she has the odds against her and that could make her be the sacrificial goddess this year.
Monic Perez
Monic has been my favorite from the get-go and I hardly believe it would change. She overall is an outstanding and catchy queen. I admit she is not the best facially, but she is a great performer and a critical thinker. Monic's biggest advantage in this competition is her versatile personality. According to her style, in one moment she could knock-out anyone in her way and the next moment she'll be running from mosquitoes. Overall, I think Monic is the best choice for Miss Universe 2013 and she is one of the few who has potential to bring back credibility to the pageant.
Well, there you have it! Please note that this is not a stable list and it will change as soon the girls hit the Russian grounds!