PERU - Valeria Flórez. The CLBQ is considered by several pageant pundits to be the one to beat. She does seem to be ticking all the boxes and covering all the bases, being a Final Five finalist in Suprachat, a finalist in the Supra-Influencer challenge, and Top 10 in the Supra-Fan Vote. I did NOT consider her the best performer during the preliminary "evaluation", but she still competed at a high level that even if on that moment other ladies outperformed her, she still could create a sensation in the final to clinch the win.
PHILIPPINES - Pauline Amelinckx. Since Mutya Datul's win in 2013, we have never figured in the Final Five. This gorgeous Eurasian (half-Belgian) lady is our best bet to return to those lofty heights. Though there are a whole host of contenders out there who also have that goal within their sights, and the possibility that the panel of Experts might prefer the likes of INDIA, THAILAND, or even INDONESIA, maybe her superb communication skills could be her main edge to secure that Final Five slot and hopefully rank higher than Elaine Moll's 3rd runner-up finish in 2012. She did figure strongly as a Final Five finalist in Suprachat, is a Supra-Influencer challenge finalist, and is Top 10 in the Supra-Fan Vote. Though it seems a second win is increasingly less likely, a Final Five finish would make many people extremely satisfied.
POLAND - Aleksandra Klepaczka. Most people would assume a Top 24 spot would be reserved automatically for the host contestant, but though this lady is performing solidly, buzz seems relatively muted that there is the possibility that she'll be an exception. I won't count her out, but there are other more compelling choices out there.
PORTUGAL - Elodie Lopes. She's solid, but not quite as impactful as other contenders out there so a Top 24 finish looks outside of her reach.
PUERTO RICO - Camille Fabery. She's competing at a high caliber though there are others also competing at the same level. She looks like a shoo-in for the Top 24, but advancing further to the Top 12 might be a tough proposition.
ROMANIA - Ioana-Izabela Hotaran. She's marching to the beat of her own drummer, making a standout impression by not being conventional. This is evident in her catwalk during the preliminary "evaluation", as it's quite unique--she's not bringing fierceness or Victoria's Secret peppy energy, but something unique that only she could pull it off. Many pageant fans are finding her a refreshing treat, and that could be her ticket to the Top 24.
SLOVAKIA - Simona Leskovská. This brunette is great looking and her performance is faultless, though not impactful enough to generate Top 24 buzz.
SOUTH AFRICA - Ayanda Thabethe. Of the five Suprachat finalists this lady delivered the strongest answers so it is likely she will become the Suprachat champion and secure her ticket to the Top 24. It is also highly possible she can make the Top 12 also as she does have great stage chops and a distinctive look, too. But generating a back-to-back for her country, that is doubtful, but a Final Five finish is conceivable, though many pageant fans and pundits are keeping their eye on another African to garner that spot.
SPAIN - Lola Wilson. At 18 she's the youngest candidate in this batch. There are pageant fans and pundits who rave about her gorgeous looks, and I do agree she is very pretty. But hyping her as a possible crown contender? That I don't quite see it--a Top 24 finisher, yes, and maybe she can clinch a Top 12 finish but beyond that? That I'm doubtful.
THAILAND - Prataporn Wong. She won Miss Intercontinental nine years ago, an outcome that many pageant fans and pundits including myself found controversial. Still she reigned without incident and I have to concede that this time she looks like she earned her keep, as by sheer merit she did perform at a level that seems to make her a strong Top 12 contender and with a possible play for the Final Five. She made a splash in the Supra-Influencer and Top Model challenges and could possibly secure her Top 24 slot by either of those paths. Even with the presence of personnel who allegedly facilitated her win at Miss Intercontinental nine years ago, this time it looks like merit will prevail--I don't see her winning, but if she finished with a high placement, this time it could be seen as justified.
THE BAHAMAS - Malique Maranda. I'm baffled why this pageant opted to follow Miss Universe's lead in placing this country under the letter "T" instead of the letter "B". She could've been the candidate to appear first if we follow more conventional alphabetization. Anyway, though I find her figure to be a bit too skinny, there is a road for her to make inroads to the Top 24--she is the Caribbean champion for Top Model, so she can take that path to advance to the Top 24. She also made a splash by making Top Eight in Talent with her singing ability, though for me KOREA and JAPAN made a stronger impact during the Talent Show final.
COMING UP: TOGO to ZIMBABWE plus the "REARFUL" FORECAST
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