After low turn-outs due to resistance to flying into politically volatile Venezuela in 2019 and having to endure precautions and restrictions due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic in the next two editions both held in 2021 (March and December, which is not typical to its usually fixed October 25 schedule it normally observes), Miss Grand International is making efforts to claw back into normalcy with this edition held in Indonesia, commemorating a major milestone as this is the 10th edition. The near-month-long itinerary of activities hearkens to the numerous activities Miss Universe used to offer its contestants instead of the abbreviated schedules as of late. Miss World also still offers such a lengthy and huge itinerary of activities over a similar period, and interestingly it was also the last major pageant to have had Indonesia hosting. And unlike Miss World, this pageant managed to maintain its schedule of activities featuring both a tour of Bali then shifting to Jakarta in the island of Java, which was Miss World's original schedule until a revived furor over pageants in that country forced them to adjust and confine activities solely in the island of Bali.*1 This main pageant's concession/adjustment that somehow worked was to swap the swimsuit competition and turn it into a sportswear competition instead.
*1 Indonesia's attitude towards pageants has relaxed since returning in 2005. The furor was reportedly more a scheme by political opponents to discredit the key Indonesian proponents for Miss World, the Tanoesoedibjos instead of a full-scale return to conservative Muslim attitudes towards womanhood. As demonstrated in the years that follow, Indonesia has emerged as a major hotbed for pageant supporters.
There originally was supposed to be 72 contestants competing, but three turned out to be no-shows: D.R. CONGO (Caroline Konde), KAZAKHSTAN (Ekaterina Agapova), and KYRGYZSTAN (Zhamila Zhyrgalbekova). Based on their photos they look like worthwhile competitors, but as you will witness as we review the actual contestants, this is a very competitive batch this year.
There wsa one contestant who arrived in Bali and attended initial activities, but by the time the Sportswear competition was staged, vanished and was later confirmed to have withdrawn from competition:
KOSOVO - Edona Aliu. She's a pretty, trim, and statuesque blonde. There were several speculations why she withdrew--some stated that she noticed favoritism toward certain contestants and that she felt that a winner was already "pre-determined", others claiming that she witnessed an upsetting incident involving an animal that upset her as she is a big animal lover. The official statement from the Miss Grand International organization mentioned unspecified health issues--wonder if more clarity will come up post-pageant?
The final roster of 68 contestants is at least an upgrade from the three previous editions, but still way below what it used to attract prior to 2019. But like in last year's edition, does quality make up for lack of quantity?
ANGOLA - Teresa Saba. I find her polished, competitive, and surprisingly a good communicator. In other years she would've made a more serious play into the Top 20, but this batch proves to be of such a high caliber that she is only regarded as a worthwhile contender.
ARGENTINA - Camila Barraza. She's one of four Miss Universe alumni competing in this pageant. However, instead of representing this South American nation, she represented Kosovo at Miss Universe 2016. Now, she's representing the country she actually was born and grew up in.*2 Like in recent years, she's a high quality contender, though she is likely to miss the cut, just like in her Miss Universe stint.
*2 She earned her Kosovo sash because of her mother's heritage.
AUSTRALIA - Amber Sidney. Buzz about her was relatively muted during the Bali leg of this pageant, but she was rising in buzz when they set foot in Jakarta, starting from making a very charming impression in the interview to delivering a strong performance in the preliminary evening gown competition. She can make a serious play for the Top 20.
BANGLADESH - Towhida Tusnim Tifa. She's one of the shortest contestants in this batch, and she's generally raw in all aspects. She's attractive, though.
BELARUS - Marina Viazankova. While most other international events would ban this country and Russia over the war in Ukraine, this pageant proved to be an exception, hence the presence of this lady. This brunette is attractive but is simply adequate, at best.
BELGIUM - Chiara Vanderveeren. She is good looking and her figure is fit. However, during the preliminary competition, she sported a ballgown that made her look thicker than she normally would be--and it's well known about MGI founder Nawat Itsaragrisil's fat-phobia, so that gown would not do her favors.
BOLIVIA - Carola Sanabria. She's generally a very polished contender who may not be receiving much buzz but she's a worthwhile contender.
BRAZIL - Isabella Menin. This country's best result was finishing 2nd runner-up last year, and this lady seems to be firing on all cylinders, making a makor splash in all aspects of te competition. She looks poised to either equal or even possibly bring forth this country's first win in this pageant.
CAMBODIA - Pich Votey Saravody. She's very pretty, very charming, and possesses oodles of charisma. She looks like a shoo-in for the Top 20 who could make a possible play for the Top 10.
CANADA - Mildred Rincon. She's not receiving much buzz but I think she actually checks all the boxes. She might be deemed a worthwhile contender who deserves more notice.
CHILE - Karina Perez. See BOLIVIA.
CHINA - Shirley Yu. She's She's attractive but she doesn't quite make an energetic presence during the preliminary competition and though she evoked a Tang dynasty princess in her evening gown styling she doesn't quite deliver a strong catwalk. It's unlikely she'll be making the cut.
COLOMBIA - Priscilla Londoño. She's actually based in Texas, USA and has dual US/Colombian citizenship. She seems to be delivering the goods in all aspects, proving to be a strong interview and proving to be sensational during the preliminary competition. It's possible she can make a play for the Final Five.
COMING UP: COSTA RICA to HAITI
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