Miss Israel’s gown is more like a bridal gown than an evening gown. The cut and color white did influence my opinion on this gown. And while she is beautiful, I am not sold out with her walk.

Miss Italy Grazia Pinto’s gown looks more like a Christmas wrapper for its shimmering red color. I am not so sure what to think about the extra cloth that she is playing around. I like the fact though that the gown has an open back.

I kind of missing Yendi with Miss Jamaica Chantal Zaky. This girl is gorgeous but the walk lacks the sparkle that I am expecting. Perhaps I was expecting too much from this girl and the drab color of her dress didn’t really help. I do remember that Yendi’s gown was not really my fave but it is just Yendi who carried it well.

Miss Japan Ayako Hara is emphasizing the back of her gown which is really sexy and worth to show off. The white gown has an open back with an interesting x-shaped strap. I know a lot of people are listing Japan as a possible semifinalist but I do beg to differ. Ayako is not so appealing up close and with Ines Ligron no longer runs MUJ, the Japanese chances at Miss Universe are back to square one.

One of the most applauded delegates, Miss Korea Sung-hye Lee red gown is okay-ish with the generous slit at her right as something that caught my attention. The transformation that she supposed to have undergone failed unfortunately to produce another Honey Lee.

Resplendent in white, Miss Kosovo Diana Avdiu looks amazing in her dress. It hugs her figure well.

Miss Lebanon Rina Chibany wore a shimmering green gown. But happened to her? She never smiled and she looks like she was forced to walk onstage.

Miss Lithuania Greta Mikalauskyte looks nice in a strapless silky white. I love what the designer did on the skirt is great but being white muted its impact.

Miss Malaysia Kimberley Leggett used a risky gown. Yes, risky and not risqué. In a tight competition, it is important to play it safe when it comes to the gown and not risk it with heavy beads and feathery tassels. But no matter, Kimberly carried it well and I love the way the way she walked and posed. I love her confidence!

Miss Mauritius Ameerksha Dilchand improved dramatically and I am happy for her that she was honed and trained up to her optimum level. Not a fan of her gown though especially the drab color.

Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez is one of the most applauded delegates in the prelims. Her red gown showed her sexy right leg and I love the way she carried it. Nothing spectacular in her moves but she did it with a commanding presence.

Miss Montenegro Andrea Radonjic black gown is an epitome of fashion sense gone wrong.

I was a surprised with Miss Namibia Tsakana Nkandi’s confidence while sashaying onstage in her bright yellow gown. Watch out for this girl! She could upset everyone’s list.

Miss Netherlands Nathalie den Dekker looks beautiful as she came out in a shimmering mermaid cut gown with busy skirt. I was really expecting more from her but her performance is quite forgettable. I hope the judges see it differently because this girl has a lot of potential.

Miss New Zealand Talia Bennett came out rather strongly in the gown prelims. Her red dress with a bit of a long train and with silver appliques on the upper trims suits her well. I love her confidence walk.

Miss Nicaragua Farah Eslaquit’s aubergine gown is lovely. It is strapless, fugure hugging and with busy skirt. Farah looks fierce on he catwalk as well.

Miss Nigeria Isabella Ayuk’s performance in a pink gown is totally forgettable.

Okay the gown of Miss Norway Sara Nicole Andersen is another version of Ivian Sarcos’ gown.

Miss Panama Stephanie Vander Werf appeared statuesque in her gown but the color is risky. It’s either you love it or hate it.

Miss Paraguay Egni Eckert is absolutely elegant and classy in her pale blue gown with shimmering silver bodice. Her catwalk is strong, her confidence is there. She owned the stage. Hands down Egni did excellently!

Miss Peru in nude gown peppered heavily with various faux stones looks sexy.

Miss Philippines Janine Tugunon looks like she is walking on the clouds with her great catwalk skills. Her gown is out of the box, a bit risky I say. But the transparent pleated skirt showed off her figure in a silhouette and compensated heavily on the cut’s failure to do so.

Miss Poland Marcelina Zawadska is on fire with her yellow green but heavily beaded gown. This girl exuded a lot of confidence and she looks jolly in her steps. This is a great performance by Marcelina that would ensure long overdue placement of her country. A bit of a memo to Leila: the year Marcelina was born was NOT a year when Poland won Miss Universe. Poland is yet to win the Miss Universe crown. The correct info would be that it is a year when Poland won the Miss World crown.

And now the goddess arrives! Miss Puerto Rico Bodine Koehler came out both fresh and on fire with her pink gown. She reigned supreme because of her figure-hugging gown that radiates sexiness. She also ruled the catwalk! She is just perfect!

There is something in Miss Romania Delia Duca’s gown that makes it more of a lingerie than a gown. And her sensual moves compounded the matter.

Miss Russia Elizavata Golovanova’s blue violet gown is an injustice to her. The cut failed to show the curves of her waist. But nevertheless, Elizaveta facially, look fabulous.

No wonder it was called Serbia and Montenegro before. What was black for Miss Montenegro is red for Miss Serbia Branislava Mandic. Hmm.

Miss Singapore Lynn Tan’s silky white gown accented with black looks great. She has a good stage presence as well.

Nice gown for Miss Slovak Republic Lubica Stepanova. The flow of the skirt, off shoulder and that silver bustier and generous slit is a good mix. Could have should a little bit of her curves though.

Another goddess onstage! Blonde bombshell Miss South Africa Melinda Bam did not disappoint with her gold dress. She looks fabulous and red carpet ready. I say this girl is on the forefront of the contest and she walks and moves like a real winner.

Miss Spain Andrea Huisgen looks radiant, fresh and happy –very happy in her mint green gown. I am sad how this girl deviated on the playbook that allowed her victory at the nationals. She is meant to be elegant not fresh and jolly. Being elegant brings the best in Andrea.

Miss Sri Lanka Sabrina Herft is wearing a red gown that appears to be poinsettia inspired. She is well applauded with her oozing sex appeal as if she just love being that stage. This girl had it at this segment!

Miss St. Lucia Tara Edward purple gown does not go with her skin tone.

Miss Sweden Hanni Beronius lacy white gown is okay. Nothing spectacular.

Another drab colored gown this time from Miss Switzerland Alina Buchschacher. Not really a fan of it.

Miss Tanzania Winfrida Dominic profited a lot from this great gown because it showed off the best of her assets. The transparent skirt shows off her great legs, the figure-hugging cut highlighted her sexiness and the pale gold is right for her skin tone.

Miss Thailand Farida Waller is elegant in white lots of silver appliques. Nice walk as well.

Why is it that Miss Trinidad and Tobago Avionne Mark looks elegant in her dress and reminds me of Marigona Dragusha. I am not so sure whether the color of the dress enhances Avionne’s beauty.

Miss Turkey Cagil Ozge Ozkul in a mermaid cut gown that shimmers in pale gold. She looks lovely in it but a much better design perhaps a more eye-catching color that stood out from the rest could have worked for Cagil.

My hunch is confirmed! Miss Ukraine Anastasia Chernova is a step down from her predecessors. Her baby blue gown will silver bodice is okay but she lacks a commanding stage presence and her catwalk is so-so.

Miss Uruguay Camila Vezzoso walks onstage in another red Christmassy gown which render it too much for the viewer. I also don’t like how she twist her hips as she walks because it looks all too overdone.

And then lo, a disaster came out with Miss USA Olivia Culpo. I know the trick is to make her look taller of something but the gown seems to come out from a Disney parade with long sleeves and balloon skirt. Absolutely a disaster… and Olivia’s walk? Come on Olivia! Where did your sweet and fresh aura go?

Who says black is elegant? Because it happens to be true with this figure hugging gown of Miss Venezuela Irene Esser. She came onstage like a true winner with a wide smile and a walk that could truly turn heads. This girl is on fire!

Miss Vietnam Diem Huong Luu golden gown looks fantastic. That Grecian bracelet added a bit more elegant touch. In overall, a great job for Miss Vietnam!

So my front runners in this group are Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Venezuela. Add those in the first group which includes Brazil, Croatia, El Salvador, Finland, France and Georgia will round up the list to fifteen.

CHECK OUT THE GOWN REVIEWS FROM MISS ALBANIA to MISS IRELAND 

I will list down the final top 15 in correct rank order on the next featured article.