Contestants from 88 nations are set to vie for the title of Miss Universe today in Florida. The women arrived in Miami nearly two weeks ago ahead of the main event, in which Miss Universe, Gabriela Isler of Venezuela, is to pass on her crown.
The Today Show’s Natalie Morales is to host the show.
Beauty pageants are big business in Latin American nations, where potential hopefuls are groomed from an early age.
“There’s a lot of pride,” Miss Colombia Paulina Vega said.
“Latin women, Latin people, are very emphatic. They have it in their blood, right? So, it could be true that maybe between the Latin women there may be more competition,” Miss Bolivia Claudia Tavel said. “And we hope that this year, like brothers, we’ll support [each other] and that Miss Universe will be a good-hearted woman, and be a Latina.”
Miss Venezuela Migbelis Lynette Castellanos, 19, is one of the youngest contestants. She is especially feeling the heat — three of the last six titles have gone to Venezuelans.
“I have the pressure and the support from all the Venezuelans,” she said.
Roommates Miss USA Nia Sanchez and Miss Australia Tegan Martin quickly hit it off. They even started an online series: #watchNiaandTegan.
“Our video for today is her trying to teach me how to talk in an Aussie accent. We’ll do some self-defense moves; we’ll do some hair advice. We’ve got a lot of stuff going on,” Sanchez, 24, said.
“We’ve been doing everything together,” Martin, 22, said. “I feel like I’ve known her my whole life.”
Miss France Camille Cerf says it has been difficult to be away from her nation in the aftermath of this month’s terrorist attacks.
“I can’t really feel what’s happening there, so it’s making me really sad,” Cerf said. She did have a message for her people: “They don’t have to be afraid. They have to hope and think about good things.”
Miss Israel Doron Matalon took an Instagram selfie with Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia and Miss Lebanon — and started a Middle East spat.
Lebanon and Israel are long-time foes, and Lebanon does not have diplomatic relations with its neighbor.
Lebanese Minister of Tourism Michel Pharon said that “if there was bad intentions” from Miss Lebanon Saly Greige, measures could be taken against her.
Griege said Matalon took the photo without her permission.
Matalon said it was a joint photograph and was saddened that Griege was being criticized at home.
“We need to remember that we represent the country and the people, not the government and not the political issues,” she said.
Miss Indonesia Elvira Devinamira, 21, nicknamed a gown after an X-Men character because of the scale-like sequins that change color from silver to pink when she moves her hand up or down the dress.
“I call it ‘Mystique.’ It’s fun,” said Devinamira, who worked with the designer on the gown.
In the comics, the character Mystique’s superpower is mimicking the voice and appearance of any person.
Meanwhile, Miss Great Britain Grace Levy is still trying to drum up support from her native land.
“Brits are quite fickle. They’re not very supportive of beauty pageants, and I think it will take a Great Britain win for them to be a lot more supportive,” she said.
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