Sao Paulo
A year and a month after the last edition, Miss Universe celebrates on January 14th another coronation, this time direct from New Orleans (USA). But how is this year’s group doing and what to expect from the show? Who is most likely to win and who are the strongest? Where is Brazil in the queue for this bread?
To understand all this, we spoke to four beauty pageant experts, the so-called “missologists”. According to them, this year’s group is very strong and competitive – as never before. There are 86 misses fighting for the crown that today belongs to the Indian Harnaaz Sandhu, 22, with Brazil represented by the capixaba Mia Mamede, 27.
“In all continents, we have girls with a lot of potential. It is increasingly difficult to be Miss Universe”, says the TV presenter from Rio Grande do Sul, Cris Barth, who is passionate about the miss world and also presented the last two shows of Miss Universe Brazil.
Misses consultant Paulo Filho, responsible for the Hora da Miss page, endorses the comment and recalls that, each year, the girls are more complete and better prepared. “Most don’t just go for a walk. In addition to the aesthetic beauty, they bring stories of overcoming obstacles and CVs that call attention”, he observes.
João Ricardo Camilo Dias, curator of the Miss Brazil On Board page, sees around 25 to 27 girls with real conditions to win. Among them are candidates from Africa and Europe, without much tradition in the contest, alongside stamped stickers. “More than ever, they will have a lot of difficulty choosing the top 20. The countries that always rank, which we say have weight in the range, are even stronger”, he analyzes.
WHO ARE THE STRONGEST
According to the bets of missologists, who has one hand on the crown, besides Brazil, are: Colombia and Thailand, with four votes each, followed by South Africa, Philippines, Italy and Peru (three votes), in addition to Angola, Jamaica, Ukraine and Venezuela (two). Next, with one vote, are Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Curaçao, Spain, Guatemala, Iceland, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Portugal and Vietnam (in alphabetical order).
“I see Venezuela as my favourite, as well as Colombia and Peru”, lists João Ricardo. “In Europe, the best are Spain, Ukraine and Italy. By the way, it would be beautiful for an Italian or a Ukrainian to win for the first time. I really like the African ones, especially South Africa, Nigeria and Angola, which are very beautiful. In Asia, I highlight Cambodia and Thailand, as well as the Philippines”.
The missologist and entrepreneur from Rio Grande do Sul Henrique Fontes, who runs the website Global Beauties, follows in the same line of favorites. “The Venezuelan is the candidate to be beaten. I am very impressed with the Italian, who will be dressed in the final by the country stylist Roberto Cavali”, he points out. Henrique was also delighted with Miss Peru, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, Jamaica, Colombia and Guatemala. “I see Angola, Iceland, Chile and Portugal as possible surprises”, he adds.
WHAT ABOUT MISS BRAZIL, MIA MAMEDE?
“Mia runs on the outside and can go a long way. She is very intelligent, cultured and communicative. She will impress in the preliminary interview”, observes Henrique. “Her oratory is powerful, and she also has culture, passion for social projects and the experience of having grown up around the world and lived in different countries. Her English is impeccable. If she makes it to the top 5, microphone in hand, she will definitely enter in the struggle for the crown.”
For Paulo, Mia’s strong point is, without a doubt, communication. “She is able to speak on a variety of topics. Her multicultural creation has brought her a more global view of society. This knowledge can be used as a strategy to connect with different audiences.”
In turn, João Ricardo disagrees and does not see the Brazilian going to the podium. “She really is resourceful in communication, but I don’t see her with a condition to win. I don’t believe she has the profile they are looking for, according to what was declared by the new owner of the contest”, he says.
“Today we see the great world contests electing, in the latest editions, candidates who are recognized for their beauty, in addition to other attributes. And that is what people are looking for. My technical analysis is that a more complete miss is being sought, and that Brazil doesn’t stand a chance,” he concludes.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE SHOW AFTER THE NEW OWNER
It is worth remembering that Miss Universe is experiencing a new moment. Under new ownership, the contest was purchased at the end of October by transgender Thai businesswoman Anne Jakrajutatip, who is the first woman to actually own the rights to the contest. In that context, what can we expect from the show?
“According to an interview given by Anne to Thai TV, some changes will be implemented. For example, the adoption of swimsuits instead of bikinis and more elegant fashion shows. I believe that she arrives at the contest with many ideas and the desire to do something good. a great show”, says Henrique.
Excited, Cris expects a beautiful show. “It has everything to be a success. Changes are positive, because I believe that everything has to be reinvented and renewed from time to time. Miss Universe itself does not keep the same formula and the same format for 70 years, and it has changed over the years decades. In this post-pandemic moment, a new look at the contest is even more important.”
An imposing stage and an impactful contest, that’s what Paulo Filho wants. “A smart investor will aim to raise the value of her company. So I expect a show that will really mark a new phase for the Miss Universe organization”, he comments.
João wants to see a rescue of the essence of Miss Universe, which was emotion and majesty, in the sense of admiring and being moved by someone who manages to be elegant in what she wears and how she dresses. According to him, at times there was a very strong objectification of women, with a very strong sexual appeal.
“Miss Universe has been losing its essence characteristics for a long time, supposedly as an adaptation to the new times. I am referring to that thing with the woman in a bikini parading with faces and mouths, where everything was too sexist. Even the gala costume parade has a very sexy connotation, very much like instigating desire. I don’t see, for example, so much elegance in outfits with a lot of nude, a lot of transparency, a lot of slits, a lot of cleavage… How can someone be elegant if they’re just dressed?”, ends.
Fábio Luís de Paula is a journalist specialized in covering beauty pageants, the main ones being Miss Brazil, Miss Universe, Miss World and Mister Brazil. With a degree in journalism from Mackenzie, he worked at Folha and UOL newsrooms, as well as advisory and corporate communications.
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