All is set for the most prestigious beauty pageant, the 2009 Miss Universe contest, which will be held at the Imperial Ballroom of the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas Sunday night (Monday morning in the Philippines).
There are no clear frontrunners in this year’s contest, but Miss Philippines Pamela Bianca Manalo is one of the favorites to win the coveted cape, scepter, and crown, experts said.
“Let me start off by saying this year would probably be the hardest one to pinpoint a clear winner from the get go. It makes it more interesting and it’s anybody’s game. I have carefully assessed all more than 80 plus delegates, and only these 30 girls I see make it,’’ a missosology beauty expert said.
Among those predicted to make it to the Top 15 are candidates from Kosovo, France, USA, Czech Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Russia, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Japan, Ukraine, Slovak Republic, Indonesia, Philippines, Belgium, and Jamaica.
A beauty pageant expert, however, predicted Miss Kosovo to win the crown. But an American bettor said Miss Australia is the favorite to win the pageant.
Venezuela’s Dayana Mendoza is the present holder of the Miss Universe title.
If Manalo makes it to the Top 15, it will mark the end of the 10-year drought for the Philippines in the contest. The last time the Philippines made it to the semifinals was in 1999 when Miriam Quiambao won first runner-up honors.
The United States holds the record for the most number of winners, with seven. It is followed by Puerto Rico and Venezuela with five each. The Philippines has two winners.
The 84 contestants were judged in three categories – in swimsuit, in evening gown and interview – during the preliminary rounds. From there, the judges selected the Top 15 delegates, whose names will be announced on Sunday night.
Organizers said before the pageant night, the last few days for the contestants were spent on rehearsals and a grand parade in the Bahamas.
During the pageant night, the winners for Miss Photogenic and People’s Choice Award will also be announced. The public can still vote for their favorite candidates through the Internet.
The Miss Universe organization has announced that this year’s judges are Dean Cain, actor and producer who is best known for his TV portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman; Colin Cowie, author/television personality/designer to the stars; Gerry DeVeaux, award-winning producer, songwriter and style guru; Farouk, founder and chairman of CHI Hair Care; Heather Kerzner, philanthropist and ambassador for Kerzner International and its many resorts, including Atlantis, Paradise Island;Richard LeFrak, chairman, president and CEO, LeFrak Organization; George Maloof Jr., professional sports mogul and hotelier; Valeria Mazza, international supermodel; Matthew Rolston, leading photographer and director; Andre Leon Talley, award-winning writer and editor; Tamara Tunie, actress, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"; and Keisha Whitaker, fashion maven and founder of the Kissable Couture lip gloss line.
As earlier announced, performers during the show are hip-hop superstar Flo Rida, reality star Heidi Montag, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland. Billy Bush and Claudia Jordan will host the live telecast.
The first Miss Universe pageant was held in Long Beach, California, in 1952. Armi Kuusela from Finland won the contest. However, Kuusela gave up her title when she married Filipino tycoon Virgilio Hilario.
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