63RD MISS UNIVERSE HOTPICKS

 HOTPICKS FOR THE 63RD MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT (2014/15)

 Finally Gabriela Isler Morales of Venezuela can pass on the most coveted crown in the world - Miss Universe - to her successor. She had a long reign (but still second to Leila Lopes of 2011) as the MUO couldn't find a venue that led to the dates being postponed beyond the running year. Anyways, something better than nothing. Doral in Miami played a decent host enough to board the 88 beauties from over the world and as the excitement builds up to 25th Jan, here are my hot picks slash predictions for the crown

WINNER

COLOMBIA – Paulina Vega Dieppa

Paulina is Colombia’s answer to their long-awaited second crown after notable first runner-up placements in the past. This girl is a dexterous concoction of sweet, sexy and sophistication in one go. Her curves can only be etched in heaven and her frame is magnificent. Even though she is not your typical Latina fieriness, the moment she stands on the stage, one cannot help but behold her classiness. The rumors of her being cold and aloof is behind her, Paulina is all geared up to wear the new Miss Universe crown

 

1^ST RUNNER-UP

JAMAICA – Kaci Fennell

The reincarnation of Halle Berry on the pageant stage. Kaci has caused tidal waves with her chic bobcut hairdo which is very unusual for a pageant. But that is not her sole weapon. Her face and body is chiseled to perfection. Her walk is full of fierceness yet she has the ability to wrap it up with a dash of classiness. Kaci’s star quality is hard to miss and her ability to converse well is going to make her a worthy contender for the crown

2^nd RUNNER-UP

PHILIPPINES – Mary Jean Ramirez Lastimosa

Being the most pressurized contestant, coming from a land that is crazed about pageants to death and having made the top five for the last four years in a row, Lastimosa has big stilettos to fill. On the preliminary night, despite the controversy of her mature looking aura and big teeth, Mary Jean delivered the goods. Her catwalk was power-packed and that body can fetch brownie points any night. I am not a huge fan of her bridal gown but we know its costs a dime and she can carry it off well. If Ara Arida’s yellow Barazza number could make the cut last time, then why shouldn’t this one. When it comes to interview, Mary Jean is well-spoken, so I have feeling she might clinch the crown. If not, she can settle for a Shamcey Supsup moment.

 

3^rd RUNNER-UP

USA – Nia Sanchez

From her Miss California days to Miss Nevada to Miss USA to Miss Universe, Nia kept on improving like wine in a casket. During the preliminary night, she solidified her status as a contender and not merely based on her merits as a host delegate. She is representing her diverse nation’s Latin community in a predominantly Latin populated city. So we will have the crowd cheering for and why shouldn’t they. Nia is in top shape and her red gown scores an O on the glamor scale. She is also well-spoken and might as well grab her country’s ninth crown but it will cause a mixed reaction, so that is to see

4^th RUNNER-UP

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Kimberly Castillo Mota

Kimberly was the silent killer of the competition. No one suspected her momentum until the preliminary night. The critics have often criticized her for her elongated nose but there is no denying that Kimberly is in perfect shape, has a fringed-neckline gown that is red-carpet worthy and walks the stage like there is no tomorrow. She is half-Italian, having won Miss Italy nel Mondo in the past, and since Yamamay is sponsoring the swimsuits this year; I guess the odds are inclined towards Kimberly. 

TOP 10

 

 

ARGENTINA – Valentina Ferrer

This South American nation has woken up from its slumber and sent a dragon to the competition. Valentina’s national costume is a visual treat and how appropriate she is sporting angel wings over there for Valentina has the long-legs and killer walk to rock a Victoria Secret fashion show. She is styled perfectly and her pink full-sleeve gown was an interesting number. The only thing keeping her from shooting to the top is a weak sash factor

SOUTH AFRICA – Ziphozake Zokufa

She is my prediction from the African continent, although it has notable beauties like Gabon and Angola, though the latter lack in one department or the other. Ziphozake on the other hand proved her finesse with a Kenisha Thom-look during the swimsuit coupled with a sprightly walk. Originally, South Africa was meant to be represented by the stunning Rolene Strauss who is obviously now reigning as Miss World, which paved the way for Miss South Africa 1^st runner-up Ziphozake to represent her country here and she has done her job well.

 

COSTA RICA – Karina Ramos Leiton

Karina was an early favorite for the crown and she maintained her force to this day. She is one of the well prepared girls of this competition having a great body, a typically sexy Latina face and an oversize gown which was too busy for my tastes. Nevertheless, she can give her country its third placement in four years, an achievement for them

 

MEXICO – Josselyn Garciglia Banuelos

Mexico is another underdog who rose to prominence after the preliminary competition. For a latin nation, I am overwhelmed at Josselyn’s ability to remain classic always. Her chiseled face with the dimple on her chin is quintessentially classic Latina, her walk is measured, her body is in shape and she was made for her gold gown, not the other way around.

 

LITHUANIA – Patricija Belousova

Lithuania debuted in Miss Universe recently and this year they sent a gem of a contestant. Patricija is arguably the face of the competition with jewel-like eyes and face that can make the poster of an international cosmetic product. Her background in dancing showed in her walk which made pageant pundits consider her seriously. Regarding her preliminary gown, I am not sure whether it will suffice to sail to the next round.

 Top 15

 

UKRAINE – Diana Hakrusha

 What a face! Ukraine might be a paradise for they consistently field angelic-looking delegates. And it is surprising that Diana was only a runner-up at the Miss Ukraine pageant but represented her country really well. Her gown was an epitome of working anything like a million dollars and it had the crowd drooling on her. While I do not necessarily see her winning it all, I do not doubt it either.

 

 

SPAIN – Desiree Cordero Ferrer

She is formidable enough with a well-toned body and a couture strapless gown but my concern is with her tattoo which is oddly placed near her crotch area. We know that tattoos weren’t generously rewarded in Miss Universe in the past, so that might be an omen for the otherwise crown-worthy Desiree

 

INDIA – Noyonita Lodh

India is finally here to reclaim its superpower status by fielding such a gorgeous looking delegate in the form of Noyonita. This girl is the Indian version of Ximena Navarette with her exotic looks and coffee-colored skin. Her height and otherwise lukewarm performance might do her in but if she spruces it up during the finals and changes her gold gown to a better one, believe me, she can grab it all.

 

CZECH REPUBLIC – Gabriela Frankova

Gabriela can rely on her chances of being a possible trump card but that is not her saving grace. Although unsuspected by many, she had a good showing at the preliminaries and her golden long-sleeve gown was hard to miss on stage

PUERTO RICO – Gabriela Berrios Pagan

My list rounds up with the former Miss Supranational runner-up from Puerto Rico. This girl had a lot of criticism for her unique look but according to me, she has done exceptionally well and can pass off as the Vanessa Goncalves of this edition. Not to forget that she lost a lot of weight to be in shape and that Miami has a large Boricuan sector cheering for her.

ALTERNATES

 

GUYANA – Nikita Barker – A pleasant surprise that this country could send someone better than Ruqquayah. Niketa has had a wonderful stint in Miss Universe generating a lot of buzz and performing well for the preliminaries. Another Guyanese of Indian origin finished in the top ten at Miss World this year and if Niketa sails past her weak sash and makes the cut, this will be a great year for this South American country

 

AUSTRALIA – Tegan Martin – She is the typical summery Aussie blonde but like her predecessor, Olivia Wells, lacks the verve on stage. Nonetheless, she is touted to be a trump card, speaks really well and showed a near-decent performance during prelims

 

INDONESIA – Elvira Devinamira - A lot of hype was also generated around this girl before the pageant and she lived up to her folks’ expectations with a decent body and good gown. Elvira will be appreciated for her bold statement during the swimsuit round for historically sporting a two-piece bikini despite knowing the ire that it might draw from her predominantly Muslim nation

 

ECUADOR – Alejandra Argudo Intriago - She has a strikingly beautiful face and Ecuador pulled a surprise placement in the top five last year, and this delegate is even better as she knows to work the stage

 

THAILAND - Pimbongkod Chankaew aka Allison Samson – This half-German Thai born in America has legs that can go on for days. At 6 feet, one can’t simply miss a tall Asian and she had a decent showing during the prelims, so we might see her too in the line-up.

 

ANGOLA – Zuleica dos Santos Wilson – If not South Africa, then Angola can fill in the spot for Africans in the semifinalis. Personally, she can be on par as former Miss Universe from her country, Leila Lopes. She was styled well during the preliminaries and her white gown screamed beautiful. 

NETHERLANDS - Yasmin Verheijen – This beauty with Indian roots is the most understated girl in the edition. With an elegant aura about her self and a buffed up body, she has done everything right to clinch a spot in the final line up

 

TURKS AND CAICOS - Shanice Williams – People are not considering her seriously as she sports one of the weakest sashes in Miss Universe. These islands are notorious for sending clapper materials in the past but this year, Shanice surprised me with an above average performance and her mocha skin is to die for. I would be extremely happy if she saves Turks and Caicos from the mushes.