AFTER weeks of touring, filming and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in Manila, the women representing 86 countries are now rehearsing for coronation night.
The three-hour event will be telecast live simultaneously by the major television networks from the Mall of Asia Arena starting at 8. a.m. today
Since Saturday, host Steve Harvey and the 86 contestants have been rehearsing for the contest that will choose Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach’s successor.
Model and designer Ashley Graham joins as Backstage Host while the Grammy-winning group Boyz II Men joins the artists who will perform during the finals.
The group, best known for the hits such as “I’ll Make Love To You” and “On Bended Knee,” will perform on the same stage as American rapper Flo Rida.
Fans may take a virtual seat on the judges’ panel by visiting vote.missuniverse.comvote.missuniverse.com to vote for their favorite contestant. Unlike in the previous edition, 12 candidates will advance to the semifinals and the 13th slot will be decided through fan votes.
Pageant experts put the Philippines’ Maxine Medina, Venezuela’s Mariam Habach, Colombia’s Andrea Tovar, Thailand’s Chalita Suansane, Brazil’s Raissa Santana, and Australia’s Caris Tiivel as the contestants who are likely to win the crown based on their performance during the preliminary competition on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, BetOnline posted odds on who will win the Miss Universe Pageant with Miss Colombia listed as the favorite. She is followed by Miss Peru, Miss Brazil, Miss Belgium, Miss Bolivia and Miss Mexico. The bettors placed Miss Philippines in 19th place.