Miss Angola Leila Lopes was crowned the 60th Miss Universe tonight. Ukraine was 1st Runner Up, Brazil 2nd, Philippines 3rd, and my gut pick China 4th. While I was completely off in picking this year’s winner, it was otherwise a good year overall with me predicting 12 out of the 16 finalists, 14 if you count alternates. I’m shocked that Malaysia was not one of the 16 semifinalists, what’s up with that? Could Miss Universe be punishing former Miss World contestants? Portugal on the other hand earned the 16th semis slot by winning the Internet vote.
This is the first win for Angola at Miss Universe since it first started participating in 1998 and the fourth Miss Universe for Africa.
1 – Dominican Republic (Gut Pick): A pageant veteran, even considered a front runner to win Ms World a few years back, Ada Aimee De la Cruz is to me the strongest delegate this year. Her long legs and trim figured make her excellent in swimsuit, and her walk is one of the best, very confident and polished. She is also undeniably very, very stunning and exudes a big presence on stage. I believe she’d make a good miss Universe. And I think its about time we have a stunning brown beauty wearing the crown don’t you think?
1 – France (My Pick): If you look closely right after Ms. Venezuela was crowned last year, she did this yeah I won reaction with her fist – a very playful gesture that was un-beauty queen like but in a good way. It showed that she had a very cool and quirky demeanor – not the pageant queen type of attitude. I see the same vibe in Chloe Mortaud. I think she’d make a great Miss Universe. She did really well in the preliminaries and am pretty sure she will sail through to the Top 5 with ease. If all goes well her natural beauty and fresh could very well give her the title. As a plus she is one of the few Ms. France’s that I‘ve seen that can speak good English.
3 – South Africa: If you take a look at her photos on the net, Tatum Keshwar doesn’t stand out if compared with other girls. But even if she isn’t the most beautiful lady in the pageant – she is striking on stage. I can’t really put my foot on it but she oozes with that all important X-Factor on stage. Coupled with good speaking skills, and a fresh demeanor. She is a strong contender for the title. I consider her a shoo in for the Top 5 as well.
5 Indonesia: Not the most gorgeous of all the Asians but I think the strongest of all the Asian delegates this year. During the preliminaries Zivanna Letisha Siregar did really well. Her long legs helped her stand out during the swimsuit competition. And she did reasonably well in the evening gown segment. I think she will do really well and can very well land in the Top 5.
6 – Russia: Sofia Rudyeva is classy, elegant, and sophisticated. Her web interview shows maturity and intelligence too. Having said that though there seems to have been an issue concerning racy nude photos that she took when she was 15. Based on my assessment this could hurt her chances of winning the title. However – performance wise, there is no doubt that she deserves to be in the Top 10. I’m placing her as high as 6.
7 – Australia: An early front-runner Rachael Finch of Australia’s is another one of those natural beauties, with a bubbly personality. I’d like for her to go far, but she seems to lack that certain pizzaz when on stage and I am afraid that come pageant night that will affect her chances. If she can turn it on I am quite sure she can go all the way to win the title. 
8 – USA: I personally think she is a pageant patty. All her moves seem calculated – for example how she tentatively went into a spin during the evening gown preliminary competition in an attempt to get her dress to fly into the air for added drama. I must admit that Kristen Dalton is stunningly beautiful, and expect her to go far. But I don’t see her winning the title this year. I could be wrong but my guy says otherwise. 
9 – Czech Republic: A tall stunning blonde Lveta Lutovska is another strong contender who underwhelmed during the preliminaries. I think however that her performance is strong enough to make it to the Top 10. She has lovely lines, a great body and a beautiful face. I am just not convinced that she has that youthful look that judges look for. Expect her to do well nonetheless.
10 – Colombia: I wish she had not cut her hair because she was stunning. But still her presence on stage more than makes up for it. Michelle Rouillard is a long shot for the title, but I expect her to get through and do well. She speaks excellent English and aside from having a great personality she seems to be very intelligent as well.
11 – Philippines: The entire decade has seen a drought for Miss Philippines. And even if I think she could have done much better in the semis I save a spot on my list for Bianca Manalo. She is probably the most beautiful delegate from Asia, but doesn’t have the best body to match. Her problem however was that she seems to have rushed through her preliminary walks. That aside I think she is a great delegate and perhaps also because of national pride I think she could pretty well make it. I hope she does well.
12 – Puerto Rico: When I saw videos of Mayra Matos Perez win Miss Puerto Rico I knew she would be a tough contender at this year’s pageant. But she was lack luster during the prelims. To be honest probably not enough to get into the Top 15, but I want to give her another chance, considering that other factors are in play. She was stunning when competing for her national title, if she can bring that back she can go much further. Win even.
13 – Mexico: I’m not a big fan of Karla Carrillo but her toned down, natural look during the preliminary evening gown competition made me take a second look at her. She is here to compete for sure and I think she will bring all the Latina fire to her game if she makes it. I don’t think she will perform anywhere close to her predecessor though. She tries hard but in the end I think she will miss the mark for the title.
14 – Belgium: I really hope the judges don’t overlook Zeynep Sever. She has a unique look, not the traditional pageant type – but very lovely nonetheless. I think she competed well and deserves a slot in the Top 15. Aside from her cute face, she has a great body and competed well in the swimsuit competition. Am hoping she wears something else in the evening gown though as her dress was just so-so. That’s it if she makes it that far.
15 – Japan: Most experts will say that Japan won’t make the cut. Her evening gown presentation was flawed, but she has such a stunning face. My hopes is that she gets in c/o a Trump card. If she does, I’m quite sure she will get into the top 10 and if she and changes her evening gown will make it to the Top 5 and could very well win the title. 
