Graphics by Kenneth Von Villa [@kennethvonvilla]
Text by R. Gálvez [@the4ofustraveling]
The final Hot Picks boiled down into two options: the heart says Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig will win while the brain says it should be Miss Thailand Suchata Chuangsri.
After their first runner-up finish last year, Thailand is back with vengeance with frontrunner Suchata Chuangsri. It is indeed the time for Thailand to bring home the crown after 36 years of waiting. Suchata just checks all the boxes and has been a heavy favorite even during her Miss Universe Thailand days. She’s demure yet a queenly beauty. She’s got a commanding stage presence without overdoing her moves. Overall, she did a solid performance during the prelims.
Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig meanwhile is the top favorite of the audience and judges. She successfully balanced the finesse and sophistication of her beauty with her onstage pizazz and confidence. She’s a blonde bombshell that has more Latina flair rather than Scandinavian composure.
Miss Peru Tatiana Calmell is another favorite for the crown. She displayed a flawless preliminary performance brimming with confidence. Experience does pay off and such execution deserves a Top 5 placement at the very list.
Miss Venezuela Ileana Márquez is a formidable opponent and while it may sound trite, we never get tired of saying Venezuela is Venezuela. She is one of the most applauded contestant during the prelims and it doesn’t come as a surprise as she aced it when it comes to showmanship. She knows how to display her best assets like her mile-long legs and the way she way elegantly strut onstage is truly amazing.
Top ranked in the last Hot Picks, Miss Chile Emilia Dides settled for the fifth place but don’t discount her yet. She can easily take the crown with her Sheynnis-like catwalk which she brilliantly pulled off. It wasn’t some sort of a knock off but rather her own unique way of swagger that had the fans talking.
On the sixth place is the host delegate Miss Mexico María Fernanda Beltrán. There’s no doubt that she deserves a place in the semis but how far she will go is highly debatable. Some say that it will dent the pageant’s reputation if she will win but make no mistake, she is a strong candidate. Her elegance and élan were on full display during the prelims!
Another candidate that was the talk of the town ever since the Miss Universe 2024 pageants started is Miss Dominican Republic Celinee Santos. She is such a stunner. Her towering figure is mesmerizing and she has a way onstage to capture everyone’s attention. Some say she is the strongest Miss Dominican Republic since Amelia Vega!
Miss Puerto Rico Jennifer Cólon has a lot of responsibilities on her shoulder. She is after all, representing a pageant-crazy country which has already 5 Miss Universe winners. However, their last victory was way back in 2006! Puerto Ricans are really hoping that a sixth crown will materialize this year. Jennifer Cólon topped our 2nd Hot Picks and she did well in the prelims but it appears she was overshadowed by stronger delegates.
Another delegate that is burdened by responsibilities is Miss Philippines Chelsea Manalo. She was a darkhorse back at Miss Universe Philippines and it is the same status that she has now at Miss Universe. There’s a lot of expectations on her and any partial observer would conclude that she fell short in delivering of what was expected from her during the semis. Still, a sash called Philippines carries a lot of weight in the pageant and Chelsea could simply pull off a surprise!
Rounding up the Top 10 is Miss Zimbabwe Sakhile Dube. A very experienced beauty queen, she is currently the strongest among the African contingent. She is very methodological in her performance during the prelims. Very professional in her catwalk which complemented her polished looks and curvy body.
Here’s the complete list of Missosology’s Miss Universe 2024 Final Hot Picks:
1. Thailand – Suchata Chuangsri
2. Denmark – Victoria Kjær Theilvig
3. Peru – Tatiana Calmell
4. Venezuela – Ileana Márquez
5. Chile – Emilia Dides
6. Mexico – María Fernanda Beltrán
7. Dominican Republic – Celinee Santos
8. Puerto Rico – Jennifer Colón
9. Philippines – Chelsea Manalo
10. Zimbabwe – Sakhile Dube
11. Paraguay – Naomi Méndez
12. Finland – Matilda Wirtavuori
13. Malaysia – Sandra Lim
14. Russia – Valentina Alekseeva
15. Honduras – Stephanie Cam
16. Nigeria – Chidimma Adetshina
17. Brazil – Luana Cavalcante
18. Ecuador – Mara Topíc
19. India – Rhea Singha
20. Myanmar – Thet San Andersen
21 Colombia- Daniela Toloza
22. Egypt – Logina Salah
23. Canada – Ashley Callingbull
24. Japan – Kaya Chakrabortty
25. Cuba – Marianela Ancheta
26 Slovakia – Petra Sivakova
27. Cambodia – Davin Prasath
28 Botswana – Thanolo Keutlwile
29 Portugal – Andreia Correia
30 United Arab Emirates – Emila Dobreva
