Top 15 Semi-Finalists Predictions for Miss Universe

Just one more day until we find out WHO will be crowned MISS UNIVERSE 2013 in Moscow Russia! The web and all the Missosologists (Pageant Aficionados), are all abuzz with the "Prediction Game", i.e. who will be the Top 15/Top 5/The Winner...So, naturally, I had to get in the game and announce MY TOP 16--Top 15 + the Internet Fan Vote. These are the contestants I think will make it to the Semi-Finalist round to then go for the Top Crown. I've also added some--as they say in Spanish--batacazos, which translates into "stroke of luck", meaning the girls that might make it into the Semi-Finals if my other picks do not. There are so many good contenders for Miss Universe 2013 that well, I had to add some "extras". It is probably a FOR SURE chance that the next Miss Universe is in this group below...All Photos courtesy of MissUniverse.com



So here are MY PREDICTIONS in alphabetical order (of country):

Miss China Jin Ye: Elegant, runway model-ready. LOVED her in the Preliminary Evening Gown. I also think it makes good "business sense" for the Miss Universe Organization (for future endeavors) to put "Miss China" in here--and Jin Ye is a gorgeous contestant to make the beauty-and-business cut.

Miss France Hinarani de Longeaux: Simply stunning. She could take the crown and I would not be surprised--this Tahitian beauty has it all; exotic, gorgeous, perfect figure, great in the Preliminary Evening Gown...a definite Top 3 for sure.

Miss Great Britain Amy Willerton: One of the strongest contestants from the British Isles in a LOOONG time! I wasn't a fan of her CRAY-CRAY Evening Gown but she'll still make the Top 16. She is movie star sexy and sooooo "Donald Trump Beauty"! If she doesn't get to the Top 5, she'll be hired by Trump Models the day after!

Miss Haiti Mondiana Pierre: I LOVED Mondiana during the preliminaries--both in Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Her face is FLAWLESS, chiseled, exotic and model perfect! She reminds me of Khadija Adam, the former "Miss Kenya" and "Miss World Continental Beauty of Africa" who became Yves Saint Laurent's muse back in the late 80s.

Miss Israel Yitish Aynaw: Yitish looks like "Miss Haiti's" almost-twin sister! Both might cancel each other out or only one of these two exotic beauties will make it in--who knows. I'd prefer BOTH! Yitish is the first woman of color (she's of Ethiopian descent) to win "Miss Israel" and one of the most impacting contestants this year.

Miss Italy Luna Voce: Luna is sexy-licious and one of the best "Miss Italy's" in a long time. Her choice of gown is a bit on the tacky/Vegas side but that won't matter. In addition, you can't ignore the fact that also, one of the big sponsors this year is an ITALIAN swimwear company--Yamamay--so, the jaded been-there/done-that pageant followers say that just that fact alone, will guarantee her a spot in the Top 16.

Miss Nicaragua Nastassja Bolivar: Nastassja won the US beauty competition "Nuestra Bella Latina" in 2011 and therefore this isn't her first time at the rodeo, as they say. She's sassy, has a strong stage presence and perfect for a career in TV and I feel she's one of the strongest Latinas of the contest this year. She also speaks English fluently (she was born in Miami).

Miss Poland Paulina Krupinska: I drank the "Paulina Kool-Aid" from the minute she opened the Tony Ward Couture fashion show a couple of weeks back as one of the first events the "Miss Universe 2013" contestants participated in. She walks the runway better than any of the other 85 contestants. She's also model tall, great figure, very beautiful. I just HATE her Evening Gown choice. But she'll still make it in and I predict, might make the Top 5 as well.

Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez: Monic is one of my favorites to win the crown. she is STUNNING and looks every part a "Miss Universe". Her gown choice during the Preliminaries was my Top Choice of Best Gown of the night, so right there she had me at "Hola!". This girl is a STAR.

Miss Russia Elmira Abdrazakova: Elmira is the Russia representative so right there, she has a MAJOR "sash factor" especially since the pageant is being held...where? IN RUSSIA! It is reported that Russia invested $16 million to host the pageant and well, they better get something out of it, and pageant followers say, by putting "Miss Russia" in the Top 16, the Miss Universe Organization is giving them a big "Thank You". That's not to say that she isn't pretty--she is--and wore a nice evening gown during the preliminaries.

Miss Spain Patricia Rodriguez: I would not be surprised if Patricia wins "Miss Universe". She has it all; gorgeous, exotic, impacting, great model/TV face. It is interesting to me that she doesn't look "Spanish" but more Latin American/Caribbean. Maybe it's the olive skin coloring, her saucy sexiness...I don't know what it is but it screams San Juan and Caracas more than Madrid or Barcelona, if you know what I mean. I can see her dating--and then marrying--a very famous bullfighter and being on the cover of "Hola!" like TOMORROW! Ole!

Miss Switzerland Dominique Rinderknecht: I just LOVE Dominique for her fresh, modern look. She's so NOT a "Pageant Betty"--just take a look at her faux-hawk-like super-short hairstyle! She's so refreshing that for her unique look and the fact that she is super beautiful--and for wearing one of my favorite National Costumes--I have her here in my Top 15/16.

Miss Ukraine Olga Storozhenko: Olga is probably THE MOST STUNNING European contestant at "Miss Universe 2013"--she delivered perfectly in the Preliminary Swimsuit and Evening Gown and is a VERY STRONG contender to "win it all", as they say. Let's hope she has some personality and also shines during the interview, that's where some of the Eastern European girls fail. We'll see!

Miss USA Erin Brady: Erin is beautiful, perfect face for TV--I can see her as a host on E! or Entertainment Tonight-type shows. And yes, there's the "sash factor"; rarely does a "Miss USA" NOT make it into the Semi-Finals at "Miss Universe" since they are, for all intents and purposes, the same company. She should be in the Top 16.

Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler: One word--WOW. "Miss Venezuela" always does well at "Miss Universe" (they've won SIX times!) but this year's representative, especially, is a STRONG ONE! Leave it to "Beauty Czar" Osmel Sousa to know how to pick 'em! This girl is stunning, intelligent and has model presence. She could win it all. Let's hope, the Miss Universe Wardrobe Department put a slit in the back of her Gionni Straccia gown so she can walk easier in it!

The Internet Fan Vote Goes To--Miss Philippines Ariella Arida: Ariella is beautiful, impacting and should be in the Top 16, whether as one of the Top 15 or by the Internet Fan Vote. whichever way, she should be in there! Two months ago "Miss Philippines" won the "Miss World" pageant so it would be INSANE and AMAZING if Ariella won "Miss Universe". That country would go CRAY-CRAY!



The Maybe's:

 (left to right) Brazil and Costa Rica

 (left to right) Dominican Republic and Ecuador

 (left to right) Bahamas and Austria

 (left to right) India and Jamaica

Good Luck to all the 86 Contestants at "Miss Universe 2013" and I'd love to read YOUR comments/thoughts on WHO YOU THINK will be in the Top 16/Top 5/The Winner? Let me know!



TO RECAP...Here's a fun SLIDE SHOW of my Top 16 for Miss Universe 2013:

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Competition EVENING GOWNS Part One: My Top 20 Picks!

Which One of These Two Got My Best Gown Top Prize? (Left to right) Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler and Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez--Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition, Crocus City Hall Moscow, Russia

Photos Courtesy of MissUniverse.com

Last night was the ever-so-important "Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Competition" at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk Moscow Oblast, Russia--sight of the Final Show. I actually watched live on the MissUniverse.com site 8 AM yesterday from the comfort of my home in Los Angeles.

 Miss Universe 2013 Contestants--Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition, Crocus City Hall Moscow, Russia

The Preliminaries are when a separate group of judges (separate from the LIVE Telecast ones), get to chose who the Top Fifteen Semi-Finalists are--that will be announced soon after the LIVE Telecast begins this coming Saturday November 9th (an extra semi-finalist will also be announced from the "Fan Votes" online). Two competitions occurred during the Preliminaries--the Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Well, naturally you know what I'm interested in, of course: THE EVENING GOWNS! Here's my "Nick Top Pick's" for BEST Evening Gowns of this year's Miss Universe Preliminary Evening Gown Competition--and yes--in case you are wondering--in a following post, I'll have my "OH NO, She Didn't!" Post!)--



So...Here are my Best Evening Gowns of the "Miss Universe" Preliminaries out of all the 86 contestants and gowns shown, in reverse order...I begin with No. 20:

No. 20 Miss Brazil Jaklyne Oliveira: Jakelyne wore a peach colored sequined and appliqued gown with nude illusion (a big trend!) and side front slit. The color of the gown was great and I especially liked all the multicolored sequins in the gown. The dress is very "Nefertiti/Cleopatra" and I like that. I also think her side-swept hairstyle was good.

No. 19 Miss Canada Riza Santos: Riza wore one of those very popular nude illusion "Figure Skating" gowns. This was a good one. It was a creme-nude color and had crystals throughout and a plain chiffon bottom half. From head to toe, it worked. Therefore, Riza--and this gown--is in my "Top 20".

No. 18 Miss South Africa Marilyn Ramos: Marilyn wore a black velvet "Le Smoking" tuxedo gown with a satin shawl collar and skirt hem band and long sleeves. It was very "Yves Saint Laurent" (THE Yves Saint Laurent, thank you very much!) in its style and silhouette and therefore I appreciated it. Classic, chic, elegant and no sequins!!! Who knew!!

No. 17 Miss Colombia Lucia Aldana: Lucia went the "Grecian Goddess" route with this very floaty white chiffon gown with sequined trim midriff/waist detail. She looked muy bella in this and I especially liked the shoulder "falls" of chiffon (very dramatic) and the "covered-up" center front slit.

No. 16 Miss Curacao Eline de Pool: Eline wore a strapless silver gown in sequined lace applique that went over a "mini dress" lining. The gown looked both sexy and red carpet/runway fab! I also loved her overall styling: her hairstyle, makeup and lack of distracting accessories. Oh, and KUDOS for the gown being the PERFECT length!

No. 15 Miss France Hinarani de Longeaux: Hinarani wore a white crepe halter-neck style gown with gathered front and golden/silver sequined details. She looked like a Princess. Sublime from head to toe. If only her presentation/walk would have matched this gown; she didn't bring the "DIVA" that one would want to bring wearing this gown. But, still--one of the BEST!

No. 14 Miss Nicaragua Nastassja Bolivar: Nastassja won the Best National Costume Award tonight and she also shined during the Preliminaries. I liked this gold lace long-sleeve gown with a scalloped plunging neckline. She looked very elegant. I liked her side-slicked hairstyle; perfect for this look. I may add, this look is also very "old school" Yves Saint Laurent Couture circa late 1990s. I LOVE that!

No. 13 Miss Netherlands Stephanie Tency: Stephanie wore a white gathered chiffon gown with a illusion-backed multicolored beaded neck-piece and waist. This was very "Pageant Safe" yet still PERFECT! Nothing wrong with the gown and her styling. Good job Stephanie.

No. 12 Miss India Manasi Moghe: Manasi wore a blush-colored "Mermaid Lite" gown featuring gold and silver jeweled sequined and feathers. The gown looked great on Manasi and all that detail and sequin work screamed "Expensive!". If there was any criticism, I could have done without the nude chiffon/illusion neckline piece; it should have just been strapless. That detail took it to a semi-Figure Skating Costume level.

No. 11 Miss Spain Patricia Rodriguez: Patricia--who is one of the favorites to take the top crown (and I can see why!)--wore a white Mermaid-style gown with a nude illusion-backed sequined applique torso section and tulle bottom skirt. It was very "Pronovias"-looking  fabulosa! Not sure how necessary those big ol' earrings were to finish the look but Patricia could get away with it!

No. 10 Miss Panama Carolina Brid: Carolina stunned in this raspberry-colored "Mermaid Lite" silhouette silk ziberline gown with scroll-like sequined detail at the torso. The gown itself was very "Miss Venezuela" Couture in its fit, style and construction. Someone in the "Miss Panama" Organization has their pilas on. In other words--they know what they are doing! I also liked it because it reminded me of one of my NIKOLAKI Collection gowns:

NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos & David Paul--raspberry-colored silk ziberline gown

No. 9 Miss Indonesia Whulandary Herman: Whulandary wore an off-white lace applique-over-nude gown with a high neck, long sleeves and side cut-out's. It was very Runway/Red Carpet Fab and perfect for her figure. I only wished her hair style didn't look so severe (the center front hair part). Besides this, I feel Whulandary is one of the BEST of the contestants representing the Asian continent in the "2013 Miss Universe" pageant.

No. 8 Miss Russia Elmira Abdrazakova: It is a sure fact that Elmira will make the Top Fifteen--just because the contest is in Russia. So that's a given. With that being said, I am glad that she "brought it" when it came to the Preliminary Evening Gown portion (because she probably could have worn a MESS of a dress and STILL, she would have made the cut!). I thought Elmira looked amazing in this fire-red Mermaid silhouette strapless gown. It was SOOOO dramatic and she gave the gown "runway" justice" onstage. I also loved the beautifully-fitting bust section.

No. 7 Miss Philippines Ariella Arida--Colombian couturier Alfredo Barraza designed this chartreuse gown for Miss Philippines. I thought this was a beautiful gown choice for Ariella and the color--especially--was very impacting (unfortunately, there was another contestant who wore the same color and stole the evening gown show). I liked the fit of this strapless Mermaid-shaped gown with lightly strewn crystals in the midriff. One of the Best!

No. 6 Miss Bahamas Lexi Wilson: Lexi wore a gorgeous bubblegum pink chiffon gown with a dramatic back cape and front keyhole and slit detail. She looked SPECTACULAR! And PS: her body is OUT OF CONTROL!

No. 5 Miss Haiti Mondiana Pierre: One word--WOW! When Mondiana appeared onstage in this black and silver gown, I just about dropped my morning coffee--and in a good way! (remember I was watching at 8AM!). Mondiana looked so Couture Fashion Week in this creation, I was LIVING for it! The dress was created beautifully and she worked it onstage! If there is any criticism, I just wished that it was strapless. But this is a very minor critique. C'est Superb.

No. 4 Miss Ukraine Olga Storozhenko: Olga looked  every bit a "Miss Universe" in this white chiffon gathered upper torso gown with a sequined neckline. While I have my questions about "Miss Russia" being in the Top Fifteen/Sixteen...Olga, "Miss Ukraine" DESERVES to be there! She looks angelic and so pretty. The gown fits her well, it is the perfect length, it is styled correctly...Yes, she is my No. FOUR!

No. 3 Miss China Jin Ye: OK, this woman needs to be in the Top 15/16 Semi-Finalists List solely on her Evening Gown "performance": SHE BROUGHT IT! I thought Jin Ye looked like a Runway Diva in this one shoulder white and nude illusion gown with oversized jeweled crystals. In addition, her look, and hair--were PERFECT!

No. 2 Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler: Gabriela wore this nude colored silk ziberline gown completely covered in oversized Swarovski jeweled crystals from Venezuelan fashion designer Gionni Straccia. Now, let me discuss what happened during her "Evening Gown" portion. IMMEDIATELY, after the Preliminaries ended, she got criticized on the web and all the "Pageant Sites" for her "poor" evening gown performance. And there were some good reasons: the gown was so stiff  that when she came down the stairs, she could barely walk and you could hear an audible gasp from the audience (and I bet, most of the Venezuelan public watching on the web!). Her face froze, she looked nervous and not at all "Miss Venezuela" fab. She knew there was a problem instantly.

This is not her fault but I have to ask: WHY didn't she practice walking in this gown beforehand? Walk up and down the halls of the hotel! The "Emergency Exit" stairs, for Goodness sakes! Besides what happened at the Preliminaries, I am still putting this gown as one of my TOP TWO Best: I thought the gown was COUTURE sublime and certainly one of the most fabulous ones of the night--irregardless of the fact that there should have been a SLIT for her to walk more comfortable in! Speaking of: I hope that Osmel Sousa (the Miss Venezuela National Director/"Beauty Czar") has sent Gabriela a message instructing her to bring this gown to the "Miss Universe" Wardrobe Dept. to open up the center back and put a slit...so she could walk easier. Por Favor!

No. 1 Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez: My Top Evening Gown Prize goes to Monic Perez " Miss Puerto Rico" for this strapless chartreuse-colored gown from fashion designer Harry Robles...

 Close-Up of "Miss Puerto Rico" Gown

Photo Courtesy of Harry Robles Facebook

Sketch of "Miss Puerto Rico" gown by Harry Robles

The gown was EXQUISITE featuring horizontal pleated body and side volants/cascade ruffles with hand-sewn sequins. It was a big surprise that both "Miss Philippines" and "Miss Puerto Rico" wore the same colored gown for the "2013 Miss Universe Preliminaries" but Monic's gown definitely WON! So much so, that it was my TOP Favorite.



Click Below to Watch The 2013 Miss Universe Preliminary Competition:





**NEXT UP: My "Oh Dear!/Oh No She Didn't!" Gowns for the "2013 Miss Universe Preliminary Evening Gown Competition!!! Stay tuned!