Grand Slam Pageants, Alpha Pageants, The Big 4 (or 5 or 6)… Many terms have been coined for the major global pageants. Just as diverse are the opinions as to which ones are qualified. For me, it’s more straightforward: these are the ones I really follow year after year.

With 2022 being the year they were all staged physically, post-lockdown (if they were staged at all), I thought of creating this list. This includes 100 candidates who, in my opinion, gave the best performances in Miss Supranational, Miss Earth, Miss International, and Miss Universe throughout last year, regardless of final placement. Note that while Poland’s Karolina Bielwaska is now recognized as Miss World 2022, that pageant was still substantially a 2021 staging. I’ve also yet to fully embrace a certain franchise whose eyebrow-raising antics so far upstage (and at times, even contradict) its actual cause.

So, without further ado, here’s my list:

#100) Tashi Choden (Bhutan/UNIVERSE). Aside from heralding its debut, the Last Shangri-La on Earth made waves by sending this out-and-proud LGBTQ++ advocate. That’s more than one way to make Miss Universe history and, for that matter, kickstart this countdown.

#99) Océane Bellow (Togo/INTERNATIONAL). It’s great to see Africans finally earning their due in Miss International, even though the crown itself remains elusive. Had there been slots in the last edition, this marketing graduate could have been a shoo-in.   

#98)  Ana Karla Ramirez (Spain/SUPRANATIONAL). In the year Spain played the diversity card, both its Mr. and Miss Supranational bets were of African lineage. Sure, the male counterpart had more luck, but this Congolese-born beauty still made a striking impression.

#97) Lydia Smit (New Zealand/INTERNATIONAL). Despite missing the Big Leagues since 2019, the Land of the Long White Cloud saw action in Miss International’s grand return. It certainly was worth the wait for this project manager, who was one of two Oceanians to make the cut. 

#96) Anna Merimää (Finland/INTERNATIONAL). The Finnish rarely make the finish these days, but Miss International is where they still shine. Case in point: this nursing student managed a surprise Top 15 placement, outrunning a slew of early favorites in the process.

#95) Maria Fernanda Rodriguez (Costa Rica/UNIVERSE). Miss Earth fans remember the first Maria Fernanda in the list as a close shot in 2017. Sure, her moves may have been over the top, but she’s undoubtedly an onstage dynamo.

#94) Sira Sahilli (Türkiye/SUPRANATIONAL). This Liv Tyler clone made an early splash in Miss Supranational’s Miss Elegance competition. Too bad that pre-pageant victory didn’t parlay into an actual placement, as she would have been the first Turk to make the cut under her country’s rebranded name. Perhaps the skimpy cocktail dress she wore in Preliminary Evening Gown was too much of a risk.

#93) Sofia Depassier (Chile/UNIVERSE). The home of Cecilia Bolocco may have last placed in 2004, but this model did score her country’s second award in two years and became its second Miss Congeniality winner in Miss Universe history. Could the Chilean resurgence be finally upon us? Fans sure hope so.

#92) Macarena Castillo (Bolivia/SUPRANATIONAL). Placements for the Heart of South America tend to be frustratingly rare, so twice in six years is already noteworthy. We have this multi-hyphenate to thank for half that milestone.

#91) Maria Fernanda Milian (Guatemala/SUPRANATIONAL). Sure, Maria Fernanda #2 ranked 24^th in Miss Supranational’s Top 24, but every placement counts for this often-overlooked country. This medical professional certainly served elegance.

#90) Karina Basrewan (Indonesia/EARTH). One year after this ASEAN giant scored its overdue Miss Earth breakthrough, fans hoped for this TV personality to follow suit. Sadly and shockingly, that didn’t materialize, but it’s great she’s still serving the cause with pride.  

#89) Solaris Barba (Panama/UNIVERSE). There’s always a risk in crossing over to other systems. The gamble may not have paid off for this former Miss World Continental Queen, but her performance still earns her a spot here.

#88) Nayelhi Gonzalez (Ecuador/UNIVERSE). As of this writing, she’s only the fourth woman of color to wear her country’s sash in Miss Universe. It’s a distinction she bore with pride throughout, as she made the most out of every appearance. 

#87) Floriane Bascou (France/UNIVERSE). With the national titleholder opting out of the Universe race, this Martinican joined in her stead. She ultimately missed the cut, but her pearl explosion of a gown was a highlight.

#86) Anežka Heralecka (Czech Republic/EARTH). 10 years after her country scored its first Miss Earth crown, this blonde scored a rare back-to-back placement. Tereza Fajkskova should be beaming with pride. 

#85) Lilly Sødal (Norway/EARTH). This high school student was only seven when her country last placed in any major pageant. Imagine her elation knowing she ended that drought.

#84) Hrafnhildur Haraldsdottir (Iceland/UNIVERSE). With age limits increasing left and right, fielding teens has now become a rarity. Props to this 18-year-old for boldly holding her own in the year Miss Universe crowned its oldest winner yet.

#83) Alannah Larkin (Ireland/EARTH). This lovely lass scored Miss Earth Placement #1 for her Republic and #3, if you account for the whole Emerald Isle. Northern Ireland’s another entity in certain systems, you see. 

#82) Ivana Batchelor (Guatemala/UNIVERSE). Given her iconic Miss Grand International stint two years prior, fans were eager to see more. She may not have replicated her previous achievement, but she was a solid contender.

#81) Thach Thu Thao (Vietnam/EARTH). It’s hard to rule out her country’s forthcoming hosting stint as a factor for her placement. Whatever the case, she impressed in the judging categories. More importantly, brought her country back in the running after its first Miss Earth win.

UP NEXT: Double revenge for the Twin Islands, the first appearance by a Filipina, and a Warrior Angel fighting for her embattled nation.