
This year's pageant is going to begin in Mexico City in 10 hours' time, so I shall post my predictions for this year before I go to bed! Hahahahahaha.
As you all know (I assume you are one of the many of fans), there will be a top 15 for 2007's semifinalists instead of the top 20 we had last year. Quite a disappointment for me, simply because from what I believe, the reason we had so many nice surprises last year is mainly due to the increase in semifinalists. Nevertheless I sure hope 2007 will not be dominated by Latinos again!!! Arrughhhhhhh.
Everyone says Asians will do well this year, I certainly hope so, because I have been let down for so many years. In 2005 there was only one Asian delegate (Indonesia) in the top 15, and in 2006 although there were three, two of them were booted out of the top 10 (namely India and Thailand). So with strong contenders like Korea, Japan and Thailand (who has been getting rave reviews after her preliminares performances), I sure hope there will be at least three Asian delgates in the top 15 again. (OR MORE!)
I believe the format will remain unchanged this year; top 15 will progress to top 10 and then the final five. I shall name the delegates whom I think will make every section of the cut, and not give them a specific ranking.
(IN RANDOM ORDER)
Positions 11th to 15th
Brazil
Canada
Greece
India
Tanzania
Positions 6th to 10th
Angola
Estonia
Japan
South Africa
Thailand
Positions 1st to 5th
Korea
Russia
Mexico
USA
Venezuela
There are several factors which generated this list.
I do not deny sash factor plays a part in my judgement. Especially Venezuela and USA. I do not believe so much in them but history has proved that they are 99.9% sure-things semifinal. One thing I can assure you; VENEZUELA WILL BE IN THE TOP FIVE FOR SURE. Not that Venezuela has my support but... it's Venezuela after all, sigh. And USA, she is a strong contender and with the weight of her sash, I can see her in the top five.

If you have been reading my blog, you would know my most favourite delegate is Korea. Yes I support her and she has my vote! I hope she will win the crown, or at least a 1st runner up position!!

On the other hand, Japan, hmmmmmm. I wanted to give her all my support but her facial beauty is somewhat... limited. And with her gown which I really don't care for, a top 10 at least maybe?

I have always supported delegates from South Africa but this year Megan Coleman just failed to impress me! Her winning factor would be her height but she did not blow me away with her 'beauty'. Moreover her horrifying hairstyle and gown, well, she's in my top 10, and that's the furthest I see her going.

I love Russia. Personally I think she has to be one of the MOST beautiful delegate this year. However it was reported that she totally messed up her interview (she claimed to love museums but could not manage to name any, how catastrophic!) Hhmmmmm hopefully her beauty and grace could carry her from top 15 to top 10 (where evening gown and swimsuits are judged respectively) and then to top 5. I believe she has what it takes to enter the top 5 as long as she shines on stage.

Miss Canada, born in Russia and raised in Canada. She is not very hot in Mexico City but somehow she has my vote due to her interview skill.

Miss India is the 1st runner in the Femina Miss India pageant and pulled quite a disappointing performace in the preliminaries. However Indians are very strong in the interview section and maybe that will gain her entry into the semifinals.
Now let me talk about those hyped-up-but-doesn't-get-my-vote Delegates; namely Greece and Tanzania.

Tanzania is all hyped up but I am absolutely NOT impressed by her. Perhaps she will be in the top 15 but that is the best I think she can do.

I refuse to give Greece my benefit of the doubt because she does nothing for me. What is with all the hype around her again? But nevertheless they do fit the criteria Miss Universe Organisation is looking for, so I am placing them in the top 15.

Angola, one of the few surprising delegates who put up a strong performance during the prelimiaries and turned so many heads. Angola has successfully placed consecutively in the semifinals in 2003 and 2004. Could Angola pull another surprise? Hyped based decision here.

Estonia, according to me, has the potential to pull a surprise this year. Tall, absolutely beautiful and with long flowing blonde, she could walk away with the crown easy, leaving everyone in surprise and awe. But blondes do not do very well in Miss Universe so I am placing her in my top 10. (She will probably do better at Miss World?)

Thailand is gaining stronger momentum as the final night is approaching. She is beautiful, did the right walk, has a gorgeous gown and performed well. Probably a top 10 material (or top 15 maybe but I decided to save her a place in the top 10).

How far can the Mexican delegate go? She is sooooooo popular right now, (probably contributed by the aggressive Mexican fans) so a top 5 is not impossible for her. After all she's Latino (hate to stereotype but everyone knows Latinos always do well in Miss Universe).
Other five alternatives are Puerto Rico, Philippines, Spain, Serbia and Italy. All of them are either based on sash factor or hype.