#35) Esther Oluwatosin Ajayi (Nigeria/EARTH). It’s strange how the most-awarded African doesn’t always top her continent in Miss Earth (Abena Appiah, anyone?). Whatever the case, this stylish showstopper was an easy Top 12 pick. And looking at her freshly appointed successor, it seems the Nigerian streak will continue.

#34) Sakhile Dube (Zimbabwe/EARTH). Among the entries of this list, this Miss Earth 2022 Top 8 finisher will be the first (if not the only one) to test her fortunes again this year. It’s happening already, in fact: Miss Supranational 2023 just kicked off in Poland. Highly likely that she’ll slay again; she’s just as impressive without the afro.

#33) Almendra Castillo (Peru/SUPRANATIONAL). When Miss Universe 2021 alumna Yely Rivera opted out of Miss Supranational 2022, this model took over. Fortunately, that didn’t affect the country’s shot: she made the Top 12.

#32) Carisa Peart (Jamaica/SUPRANATIONAL). There was hardly any doubt that the Caribbean’s answer to Zozibini Tunzi would pass muster in Miss Supranational 2022. Had she made the second cut, a Top 12 shake-up would have been likely.  

#31)  Celinee Santos (Dominican Republic/INTERNATIONAL). Spanish Hispaniola’s track record is generally hit and miss, but when it does send contenders like this law student, it’s unstoppable. How often do we see a country yield two Top Five placements within 32 days?

#30) Ritika Khatnani (India/SUPRANATIONAL). Catwalk isn’t always India’s strong ace, but this diva could out-strut any Latin glamazon. Too bad she got crowded out of the Top Five, but her multitude of accolades was just as telling.

#29)  Sheyla Ravelo (Cuba/EARTH). Some may wonder why this island country is competing at all, but this ambassador earned its best ever Miss Earth finish. She may not have earned an element, as fans would have hoped, but at least she secured this breakthrough.

#28) Ismelys Velasquez (Venezuela/SUPRANATIONAL). One could go on blabbing about how this O.G. Latin powerhouse still hasn’t produced a Miss Supranational winner. Much as that still needs to happen, a third consecutive Top Five finish will suffice for now, which this TV host had no trouble managing. She was also the highest-ranking Latina in that batch.

#27) Natalia Lopez (Colombia/INTERNATIONAL). This future lawyer joined Miss International under the Señorita Colombia franchise and earned her country its third consecutive Top Five finish. Again, no Universe license, no problem. And it does raise hopes that a fourth crown may soon follow.

#26) Anna Sueangam-iam (Thailand/UNIVERSE). Not even Khun Anne’s acquisition of the Miss Universe franchise could guarantee quick redemption for this country (That will still happen, for sure). Nevertheless, this stunner’s rise-from-poverty story still managed to tug heartstrings, and her pull-tab number was easily last year’s most inventive gown.

#25) Alessia Rovegno (Peru/UNIVERSE). This bombshell entered the Miss Universe race with heavy hype and large social media following, but nearly went below the radar as days progressed. Good thing she managed to survive the onslaught of last-minute favorites and still advanced. That alone was a huge step.

#24) Merel Hendriksen (Netherlands/EARTH). The Beauty of the Netherlands franchise has been securing Miss Earth placements since 2017 but has never reached the Top Four. This breathtaking blonde did have the edge to score an Element, but there were simply far too many frontrunners. When will the Lowlands ever soar high?

#23) Telma Madeira (Portugal/UNIVERSE). While her Miss Earth 2018 loss was a heartbreaker, her Miss Universe journey wasn’t in vain. She scored her country’s third overall placement. And knowing how it took five decades for them to get there, the Portugal sash was never more strongly worn. 

#22) Celeste Cortesi (Philippines/UNIVERSE). Somehow, we all had an inkling the streak was bound to break. If it happened to USA and Venezuela before, it could happen to anyone else. But we didn’t imagine it would happen this soon, especially now – when fans of the new license-holder were never so sure about its winner. Whatever the case, this Fil-Italian goddess still shone, even if she lost more than a shot at the country’s fifth crown. If anything, it’s a call to adjust to ever-evolving standards and be reminded, even powerhouses stumble sometimes.

#21) Kristyna Malirova (Czech Republic/SUPRANATIONAL). If the reigning Miss World and Miss International were any hint, classic blonde beauty is indeed back in style. A timid interview may have cost this model a Supranational Top Five slot, but she’s every bit the same caliber as the alluded queens. Her Top Model citation was most probably a unanimous choice.

UP NEXT: THE TOP 20!