Only celebrating its second birthday, Miss Grand
International has carved a niche for itself in the international beauty pageant
arena, amidst a sea of new emerging international titles. With golden sashes, a
golden crown bejeweled with emerald stones and with the message of “stop the
war”, they are here with another year with 85 entries from all over the world,
vying for the coveted top honors. Miss Grand International is notorious for
its format being a dummy version of what happens in Miss Universe but last year’s
scenario ruled out all speculations and existences of sash weights and drab
mimicking. So here is my first ever prediction of this pageant. It is a
challenge indeed to ascertain the correct formulae on which a new organization
would select its semi-finalists. Nevertheless, based on my observations of last
year’s semi-finalists group, I have made my choices. So here they are, in the
reverse order:
TOP 20
Costa Rica - Anniel Quesada Cespedes
Anniel, on the first shot, appears to you as a chubby Latina
blonde. But then, she has this charged up bubbliness to her, complimented by
her perky smile. Her entry into the top 25 of swimsuits and that shimmery gold
gown made me consider her a worthy contender for a spot.
Cuba - Daryanne Lees
Daryanne is another lady that grew on me only after the
prelims. Looking at that bod, you know why she is in the top 25 of swimsuit.
Her dark blue gown fits her like a glove. My only qualm is that her face can be
passable.
Germany - Johanna Acs
Johanna was on my radar as this country hardly sends
stunners in recent years. This girl’s face is simple irresistible and she is
all glamed up. Her gown zeroed her in for me.
Albania - Vivian
Canaj
She was the first up there and she knew how to make the
best out of it. Vivian started off this competition well with her stunning face
and a confident presence.
Argentina - Nadina Vallina
She is not your typical Latina bomb and that is what I
like about her. When she smiles with those dimples, the whole world can bow
down at her feet. She is one girl that I wouldn’t mind advancing further. Being
included in the top 25 of swimsuits was an added feather in the cap.
Myanmar - M Ja Seng
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Yes, she is in contention for a spot as we know the
stupendous support the Burmese gives for their newly rejuvenated beauty pageant
scene. She can be the slot for the voting winner. Minus this advantage and one
should respect that she performed well on her own. This golden land donning a
golden embroidered black gown was eye-catching.
Mexico - Marsha Ramirez Martinez
Her facial features are sometimes harsh for my taste. But
I simply couldn’t overlook her great catwalk skills and presence.
Ethiopia - Hiwot Mamo
She is the best from her zone, hands down. Hiwot is not
your restrained Dina Fekadu. For starters, she is blessed with a magnetic face.
Next, she will make you notice that she has spunk written all over her. A
worthy contender and she can win top accolades, if she sails past the bikini
round.
Haiti - Lisa Drouillard
Another best ebony beauty of this edition. She might not
be your Mondiana Pierre but she has her own quantum of spunk and pizazz.
New Zealand - Maddieson
White
I dig her tall stature and that homespun sophistication
that she radiates. She has a great body and sported an elegant gown during the
preliminaries, so based on her approachability factor, I am giving her in.
TOP 10
Russia - Yana Dubnik
This former Miss Supranational semifinalist is hard to ignore.
Blessed with good looks and that characteristic Hollywood star factor, she can
own that stage like no one’s business.
Israel - Hodaya Cohen
I can’t believe how underrated she is by pageant bookmarkers.
She is an instant dead-ringer of Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2008 Marianne
Cruz Gonzalez. She is in the top 25 of swimsuit, so that great performance
during bikini round is understood. She also sported a Grecian gown which can
sail her into the top five.
Colombia - Monica Castaño Agudelo
Monica has her own bad angles to her face and she is not
the prettiest when she smiles. However, her walk is million-dollar worth and
that presence is commendable.
Sri Lanka - Iresha Asanki de Silva
If last year’s Miss Sri Lanka could make this far, I don’t
see why she shouldn’t, as she is the prettiest of the two. Her body is fab, her
styling is good, had a little trip on the stage but she is worthy Sri Lankan
contender. I am not sure about the vintage gown she sported during the prelims
but I think she carried it off well.
Ukraine - Nadiya Karplyuk
This one was a head-scratcher for me until the prelims.
She shed my notions of her as a typical East European stunner with long locks
when she sashayed down that stage during her amazing performance during the
bikini round. And that gown, sold.
TOP 5
4TH RUNNER-UP – Australia - Renera Thompson
We know how Australia is apt at creating streaks for a
Pacific nation that is but this girl rose above her unsuccessful Miss Earth
stint and jumped on everybody’s list. This country was there in the top five
last year and this year too, they bring the thunder from down under. Renera is
extremely well prepared, her body is killer, her projection and stance are
calculated and she can carry any gown really well. However, she can come across
as a tad pageant patty.
3RD RUNNER-UP – Japan - Mieko Takeuchi
Agreed, she is no Riyo Mori or Kurara Chibana, but who
can resist Mieko’s infectious smile. Her perkiness is so organic. Her bikini
performance reminded me of Miss Australia’s bikini performance last year:
spontaneous, uncalculated and fun. I also liked her copper gown, with which she
carried off with elegance.
2nd RUNNER-UP – Poland - Angelika Ogryzek
I am glad this erstwhile frizzy haired Pole shared her
girly attitude and transformed into a classy woman. I think she is here to
avenge her underplacement at Miss World and Miss Supranational. Right from day
one, Angelika lived up to her name. That face can wake up cherubs from their
slumber. Her stage chops were hard to miss.
1st RUNNER-UP - Puerto Rico - Rebeca Valentin
This edition’s most hyped contestant deserves all that
hullaballoo. With the reigning winner coming from her land, she has pressure on
her bejewelled sleeves to fulfil. If that was not the case, I believe Rebeca
had it all to take home the top aplomb. Her face is sculpted to perfection. Her
presence is noticeable in a thousand galaxies. Nevertheless, Puerto Rico has
their A-game for a back-to-back, which is an onerous task for a newbie pageant.
So will they give the golden crown to a country twice in a row? Or………….
WINNER – MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL 2014
Thailand - Parapadsorn Disdamrong
Or will they crown their home turf lady? Even though this
proposition can earn the brickbats from all four corners, I believe this lady
has done a fantastic job as Miss Grand Thailand. She is easily the best looking
Thai in beauty pageants in recent years. For those who have seen her capture
the Miss Grand Thailand crown should know how she did it. Her face is sweet,
oomphy and classy at the same time. Her walk is not your average – she can work
that stage well. And she is no airs about it, which I like. Being Thai, she
will also connect well with the Thai audience during the interview round. Therefore,
the Miss Grand International crown is likely to remain on home grass this year!
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