Graphics by Krizza Enriquez [@kxxenriquez]
Miss International 2024 is heating up! More than 70 contestants will soon arrive in Japan and the Miss International Organization has announced a revamped format of the pageant. The finals night will focus on the traditional trifecta of swimsuit, gowns and interviews with an added People’s Choice Winner in the Top 20. While these changes will pose a challenge to both the judges and the contestants, the new format will ensure transparency and fairness.
With the new format in mind, our panel of beauty experts think that Miss Mexico Valera Villanueva will be the runaway winner. Her classic Latina features and her vivacious character will play well in the competition. She is also an engaging conversationalist which is an edge during interviews. On top of that she is under the tutelage of Lupita Jones － a national director that produced two Miss International winners!
Miss Ukraine Sofia Zghoba is the new addition to our list. Her striking beauty was not captured in the First Hot Picks as her participation was only confirmed days after the list was published. The angelic beauty is just 19 years old but she is gaining traction in the pageant.
Occupying the third spot is Miss Taiwan Oceana Lin-Kurie. Interestingly, Miss International is the sole Big5 Pageant that still welcomes Taiwan in the competition. Others, like Miss Universe, were pressured by China to disallow the Taiwan sash and use the Chinese Taipei sash instead. Anyway, the 23 year-old beauty is a fusion of East and West. She is part Taiwanese, part Canadian and she has such a unique beauty that can stand out in the crowd.
Meanwhile, carrying the African banner is Miss Cabo Verde Akysanna Veiga. There are some strong indications that Miss International will finally crown an African winner this year. Akysanna is undoubtedly the leading candidate from the continent. Her victory will be historic and beauty experts agree that she has what it takes to bring home the crown.
Rounding up the Top 5 is Miss Honduras April Tobie. In overall, the Latinas are quite strong this year and April is one of the beauties to watch from the region. She has participated at Miss Universe 2017 and although she was unplaced, she gained valuable experience. She is sassy, poised and quite confident.
Miss International 2024 appears to be a tight competition right now. A lot of changes in the Hot Picks are expected but majority of beauty experts are carefully watching the candidates from Latin America and Africa. Here’s the complete list of Miss International 2024 Pre-Arrival Hot Picks.
- Mexico – Valeria Villanueva
- Ukraine – Sofia Zghoba
- Taiwan – Oceana Lin-Kurie
- Cabo Verde – Akysanna Veiga
- Honduras – April Tobie
- Indonesia – Sophie Kirana
- Nigeria – Perpetual Ukadike
- Peru – Sofia Cajo
- Venezuela – Sakra Guerrero
- Vietnam – Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy
- Mongolia – Bayaraa Suvd-erdene
- Canada – Jessica Bailey
- Spain – Alba Perez
- Czech Republic – Alina Dementjeva
- Japan – Mei Ueda
- Colombia – Juanita Urrea
- India – Rashmi Shinde
- Nicaragua – Mariela Cerros
- Ethiopia – Hermela Nigussie
- Panama – Liliam Ashby Barrera
