The 2025 Leaderboard

 Miss Universe 2025 Prelims: Placement-worthy performances

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

After the preliminary competitions - from National Costume, Swimsuit, to Evening Gown, here are delegates who stood out from this year's crop of 120 aspirants. We also kept in mind how they fared in the closed-door interview. 

They could announce a Top 30, or, if they want something historic, they could announce a higher number; to lessen the number of 'casualties.' In a few hours, we will know. For now, we will play the role of a pundit.

And our votes, in random order, go to:

1) Philippines - Ahtisa Manalo's flawless performance from NatCos, swimsuit, and evening gown is hard to miss. Proof of that is her sudden appearance in most hotpick lists. Her approach could be likened to the hare in Aesop's fable: Slow but sure!

2) Latina - Yamilex Hernandez's smooth and consistent take from the reality show unto the pre-pageant challenges has also captured the hearts of the pageant community.

3) Venezuela - Stephany Abasali's highly-charged approach to this year's competition drumbeats Venezuela's yearning for the crown. Last won by Gabriela Isler in 2013 in Moscow, she's doing her damnedest to bring the honor back, which her country had it easy during Ozmel Sousa's time.

4) India - Mantika Viswakarma is Ahtisa Manalo's roommate in this pageant edition. The Indian delegate also wants to follow the footsteps of Sushmita Sen (1994), Lara Dutta (2000), and Haarnaz Sandhu (2021).

5) Cote d'Ivoire - Olivia Yance's bid for her country's first crown has not gone unnoticed by pageant fans. From her Miss World journey, she was given a free reign to pursue her dreams with the Miss Universe. In truth, former Miss World placers (and non-placers) did surprisingly well at Miss Universe.

6) Colombia - Vanessa Pulgarin simply smashed her swimsuit performance - from the Aquaverse fashion show to the prelims. Question is, will she also ace the other categories of the competition?

7) Belgium - Karen Jansen's approach to the crown seems quiet, almost indiscernible. But a trained eye could easily spot her effortless gait and appeal. Her country has been sending top-notch delegates of late, including other pageant platforms. 

8) Puerto Rico - Zasheley Alicea's bid for their sixth crown is more palpable now with her country as host for the 75th edition. 

9) Palestine - As a former Water Queen from the Miss Earth pageant, Nadeen Ayoub's bid for the Miss Universe crown for her country is truly inspiring. She's one of the few Middle Eastern woman who looks fab in a burkini!

10) Thailand - Praveenar Singh must be in a bind. After all the obstacles she's been through from all those times she competed to represent her country, will her chances be affected by the unfortunate incidents her national director has been embroiled in?

11) Paraguay - After 2021, this has been her country's strong comebacl. But will her dalliance with a juror from the Beyond the Crown advocacy project steal the limelight from off her feet?

12) Guatemala - This year's MUO chief executive officer is from her country. Will this bode for a rosy future for Raschel Alexandra Paz and her bid for the Miss Universe crown?

13) Malta - This is one of the rare times that her country is sending a truly competitive representative. Will Julie Ann Cluett make it to the final round?

14) Mexico - Fatima Bosch' s bid for the crown may have been tainted by unforeseen events at the start of the competition. Nevertheless, her drive and that of her supporters has remained strong.

15) Bangladesh - Tangia Methila's campaign on the polls is no joking matter, especially when money is spent to buy and cast the votes. And since the MUO is a business, no businessman in his right mind would disregard such an investment coming from a country not known as rabid pollsters, until now!

Catch the exciting 74th Miss Universe coronation night on the Kapamilya channel at 8am (Manila time). You may also watch the final show online through the IWanTv and Playtime channels on Facebook and/or YouTube. Stay tuned!