Before we proceed with the last three groups, let's take a look at two active participants who didn't take part in the Supra-Chat Challenge:
CHILE – Vaihere Domingo. This medicine student grew up in Tahiti, and her Supra-Talent submission hinted as much. While that unique background adds to her competitive edge, it's uncertain if she can end her country's 10-year drought.
ITALY – Camilla Farnesi. It's great that this country's back and all, but this psychology student isn't foreseen to replicate Barbara Storoni's 2017 placement. She also lacks an introductory video.
GROUP 8 - Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand
BANGLADESH – Towhida Tusnim Tifa. As this year's lone debutante, this model is indeed making a striking impression. It's strange not to see her figuring in Supra-Fan Vote thus far, given her country's hefty voting populace. Perhaps, they're still testing the waters.
HONG KONG – Jo An Ma. Mainland China hasn't had much luck in this pageant, but this SAR has. And, for that, they have 2022's Kumiko Lau to thank. This overachiever is not expected to follow suit, but to be fair, her Supra-Talent submission deserved better chances.
INDONESIA – Harashta Haifa Zahra. This ASEAN powerhouse shares distinction with Venezuela as the country with most Top Five placements in this pageant without a single win. The hunger is understandable. But much as this future environmental engineer has all the makings of a heavy crown contender, she's not the only one. Her best prospects will be to overshadow the rest, when it counts.
JAPAN – Yuki Sonoda. The Land of the Rising Sun sends a half-Filipina for a second straight year. And much to the amusement of Pinoy fans, this actress doesn't only speak fluent Tagalog, she's also signed with a local artist agency. There's a strong chance she can score her homeland's best placement here. Apart from that, Filipinos have another candidate to root for.
LAOS – Christina Lasasimma. Hopes were high when this half-Belarussian competed in the 69th Miss Universe contest. Alas, the competition there was overwhelmingly stiff. It's a thrill seeing her take another shot at a global title and looking more self-assured. The fact that half of her lineage is that of a former host country might also help.
MALAYSIA – Andreana Celly. We don't always see the Borneo side in action in pageants. So, to see that region represented here for the second straight year, it's quite noteworthy. This Sarawak native is not a pre-pageant favorite but might benefit from the ongoing streak.
THAILAND – Kasama Suetrong. This Surat Thani native was from Miss Universe Thailand's class of 2021, the final two of which (Anchilee Scott Kemis and Tharina Botes), didn't have much luck in their respective global tilts. There's a hefty chance she can reverse her batch's fortunes, as she has the regal aura we typically expect from strong Thai contenders. She's also up for Supra-Model as the Asian pick.
GROUP 9 - Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay
GUATEMALA – Andrea Zapeta. This Central American country earns mileage here every now and then, so even if this attorney's no favorite, her Supra Fan Vote prospects bode well.
PARAGUAY – Sofia Meyer. This businesswoman isn't receiving as much buzz as she deserves, which is a shame. Remember, this country won before.
PERU – Nathaly Terrones. Suffice to say, the Land of the Incas is on fans' radars like never before and the same is expected to still apply. Much as this surgeon might struggle to vindicate last year's Top Five shutout, the streak is at least poised to continue.
PUERTO RICO – Fiorella Medina. The enchanted isle has been placing non-stop since 2017 with a 2018 victory to boot. This health coach appears to carry on with that momentum. And now that she has a shot at Supra Chat supremacy, the stronghold is poised to remain.
URUGUAY – Lola de los Santos. She rocked the rainbow flag in 69th Miss Universe stage as her country's first out-and-proud candidate. It's only natural to hope for a better prospects. But in a pageant that doesn't put much emphasis on back story (compared to her previous go-run), she is frustratingly overshadowed.
GROUP 10 - Croatia, Finland, Nigeria, Panama, South Africa, Ukraine, United States, Vietnam
CROATIA – Esmeralda Slaviček. We have a Miss World Fast Track to thank for that recent glimmer of hope, but the fact remains, this country's still in a dry spell. Not much is said about this psychologist.
FINLAND – Aleksandra Hannusaari. The former powerhouse doesn't figure much outside of Miss International these days, but perhaps, they can give this school assistant a shot? Muted buzz aside, she's a formidable candidate.
NIGERIA – Sectra Okundaye. The Giant of Africa figured here once before. Now, this registered nurse seems poised to pull a sophomore placement. Aside from having a shot at Supra Chat, she also has the radiance to perform well overall.
PANAMA – Samantha Jones. Her name inevitably evokes Sex and the City flashbacks, and while she doesn't look anywhere near like Kim Catrall, this lawyer-businesswoman is a self-made woman in her own right. Surely, that background will earn her precious points in interview. A surprise shouldn't be ruled out.
SOUTH AFRICA – Bryoni Natalie Govender. Fresh from her Miss Universe 2023 stint is this attorney of Indian descent. It's almost certain she can exceed her already stellar previous finish in El Salvador. And given her tried-and-tested gift of gab, a sandwich victory might be within reach.
UKRAINE – Marina Mizhnova. Much as it's understandable to sentimentally root for this country these days, this model seems to be a longshot. Seeing her rally harder in preliminaries was a welcome thrill, though.
UNITED STATES – Jenna Dykstra. Hoping to avenge last year's shutout is this physician associate from Florida. Vindication will likely be in the cards. Apart from figuring in the Supra Fan Vote Top 10, her part-Polish lineage might make her a sentimental bet.
VIETNAM – Lydie Marie Wache Vu. If both her Miss Influencer Opportunity and Supra Fan Vote placements were any indication, this communications student will likely go far. And it's not just because Kim Duyen's among the panel of experts. Given her show-stopping preliminary performance, she might just overtake Indonesia in the ASEAN race.
No comments:
Post a Comment