#80) Maxine Formosa Grupetta (Malta/UNIVERSE). As of this writing, her island nation now has the most Miss Universe appearances without a single placement – a distinction it inherited from The Bahamas in 2021. While the status quo remains, this model shared Miss Congeniality honors with Chile, thus earning her country its first special award.  

#79) Camila Sanabria (Bolivia/UNIVERSE). For a country that’s largely relegated in the background in Miss Universe, its last three representatives did impress. Latest is this solid contender, who blossomed since her recent Miss Grand International stint. Sad that she bowed out of Miss Supranational 2023, because a streak would have been likely.

#78) Christin Coeppicus (Trinidad and Tobago/SUPRANATIONAL). Though the Twin Islands spent the previous decade on a dry spell, the shining moments did keep coming in Miss Supranational. This marketing professional added to that tally with ease, thanks to her eloquence and charm.

#77) Sweila da Silva Antonio (Angola/UNIVERSE). Sure, she had better luck as a Dutch in Miss Supranational 2021, but her Miss Universe stint might soon salvage prospects for her land of birth – especially now, with Leila Lopes at the helm.  

#76) Alison Black (Philippines/SUPRANATIONAL). While we patiently wait for our Miss Supranational Top Five drought to end, we can rest easy knowing the streak at least continues. This ballerina also earned our motherland its first Talent award in that pageant.

#75) Mideline Philezor (Haiti/UNIVERSE). Given the track record of past Haitian Supranational-to-Universe crossovers, the trend was expected to continue. But after her polished performance and poignant interviews, this model overcame the steep odds.

#74) Giovanna Reis (Brazil/SUPRANATIONAL). The powerhouse may still be reeling from its recent Miss Universe streak-ender, its fortunes at least carried over to Miss Supranational. Expect nothing less from a Pasarela coach.

#73) Maria Rosado (Portugal/EARTH). If there’s one pageant that honors the Gateway to the Iberian Peninsula as a late bloomer, it’s Miss Earth. In fact, they only ignored the country once since 2018. Adding to the placement tally is this journalism and communications graduate, who stunned the live audience with her daring gown choice.

#72) Pham Ngoc Phuong Anh (Vietnam/INTERNATIONAL). When Miss International introduced a continental voting element last year, many assumed this country would have it in the bag. Much to everyone’s general surprise, however, the ticket was ultimately granted to Northern Marianas instead. Even more shocking is that this news reporter went unplaced altogether. Such is the unpredictability of that pageant sometimes.

#71) Yuridia Duran (Mexico/INTERNATIONAL). Much as Mexico ended the 2000s with a sandwich victory, Miss International is also known to ignore the country from time to time. Sadly, that happened again last year, with this odontology student joining the likes of Venezuela, USA, and Brazil “in the ice”.

#70) Tya Jane Ramey (Trinidad and Tobago/UNIVERSE). Not everyone expected this Miss World alumna to replicate her previous achievements, but it’s impossible to discount her credentials, especially in this age of transformational leaders. It’s also great to see the Twin Islands back on the Universe stage, and for that matter, back in the running.

#69) Kiara Arends (Aruba/UNIVERSE). Hopes were raised when this law graduate was sent to represent the One Happy Island after last year’s drought-ender. Sure, another Caribbean Dutch ultimately seized the upper hand, but her presentations were far from forgettable.

#68) Mahyla Roth (Costa Rica/INTERNATIONAL). In the year the usual Latin suspects took the plunge, this sociology student held her own. Not that it should be deemed a shocker by any count, because her country did win this pageant twice in the early 80s.

#67) Israel Harrison (Jamaica/INTERNATIONAL). For a dreadlocked woman with autism to set foot on the Miss International stage is already a groundbreaking first. Scoring her island’s best ever placement was just the bonus.  

#66) Viktoria Apanasenko (Ukraine/UNIVERSE). Clearly, she did not need to advance to make powerful statements about her homeland’s turmoil. We heard her loud and clear, all right, and her Warrior of Light number just made National Costume history.

UP NEXT: Missed opportunities, positive surprises, and a new Arab franchise that continues to show promise.