ALBANIA – Endi Demneri. This country’s pageant year went off on a shaky start, with its Miss Supranational contestant withdrawing days after arriving in Poland, and its supposed Miss International debutante being a no-show in Japan. Props for this menstrual equity advocate for sticking it out. She’s competing decently and has hefty fan support.

BELGIUM – Emilie Vansteenkiste. With her bangs, this occupational therapy graduate channels Glee’s Lea Michele – sans the alleged “micro-aggressive” behavior that earned the latter infamy. Much as four Belgians made the cut since 2008, this one might follow the majority.  

BULGARIA – Yuliia Pavlikova. At 30, this Crimean-born model is now the oldest woman to compete – a record that’s bound to be broken anew soon, for obvious reasons. She’s also a veteran, who represented her country of residence in Miss Earth 2021 and her peninsula of origin in Miss Grand International 2022. Apart from that experience, her status as national director of a minor pageant might also earn her nods. Whatever happens, it’s refreshing to see strong contenders from this country.

CROATIA – Andrea Erjavec. This coastal country hasn’t earned any pageant placement since the turn of the decade. Much as this education student serves a poignant cause, the dry spell might remain for now.

CZECH REPUBLIC – Vanesa Švedová. It’s been 30 years since this country earned its first placement, and 20 since it earned its second. This fashion sustainability advocate might not follow suit just yet, but she’s performing commendably. it’s also interesting that her Slovak counterpart (and roommate) supports the exact same cause. Come to think of it, so did last year’s final two. Could “Team Former Czechoslovakia” be gunning for an R’Bonney-Amanda showdown this year?

DENMARK – Nikoline Uhrenholt Hansen. She’s as dainty as Danish delegates could get these days, but, as it is, they grant very few slots to Europe nowadays. It’s interesting that her advocacy focuses on helping the elderly, while the vast majority concentrates on the young. Perhaps, that could be her ace?

FINLAND – Paula Joukanen. The first time the contest was held in El Salvador, a Finnish won the crown. That, of course, was the stunning Anne Marie Pohtamo. Unfortunately, this country isn’t as highly rewarded as it was during that era. So, much as this lawyer looks like a cross between Adele and actress Sarah Paulson, the dry spell might still prevail.
 
FRANCE – Diane Leyre. When it comes to the Miss France organization, a titleholder’s shot at the global stage doesn’t necessarily end with her reign. Some of them still get a shot after the fact, for various reasons. Take the recent case of Clemence Botino, who not only competed here after her successor Amandine Petit, but is also waiting for her shot at the 71st Miss World. Well, here comes this radio host, who joins in place of the current national winner, Indira Ampiot. She arrived as an early favorite but might have been overshadowed during the preliminaries. If it’s any comfort, having Iris Mittanaere in the panel might salvage her chances.

GERMANY – Helena Bleicher. One interesting tidbit is that this student beat controversial former Miss Philippines Earth, Imelda Schweighart, to her national title. She’s in the same league as her predecessor, Soraya Kohlmann, who was pegged to place last year. It’s strange that she’s not receiving the same hype.

GREAT BRITAIN – Jessica Page. This proud entrepreneur grew her first business from a £200 starting capital to a revenue of quarter of a million within two years. Not much is said about her at this point, but her achievement sure fits the contest’s “Transformational Leader” branding like a glove. Plus, bear in mind: the Brits have been back in the radar since 2013. 

GREECE – Marielia Zaloumi. Well, the good news is that her compatriot, Zoi Asoumanaki, made the cut in Miss International last October. She may not be expected to follow that lead, but it’s  great to see the Greeks regain footing.

HUNGARY – Tünde Blága. Being a Miss Earth alumna means she’s already well-versed in advocacies. And it’s worth noting that she’s focusing on equal rights in this go-round, because, after all, this is a different platform. Chances are, however, she might replicate her previous showing.

ICELAND – Lilja Pétursdóttir. It’s rather bold for this country to send two teens in a row now that the age barrier has been eradicated. This aspiring nurse has breathtaking, youthful Nordic features but, much like her predecessor, she is frustratingly overlooked.  

IRELAND – Aishah Akorede. She’s not the first colored woman to wave the Irish flag in a global pageant. Miss Universe 2019 saw half-American Fionnghuala “Fig” O’Reilly miss the cut despite early hype and her unique NASA background. Then, there’s South African-born Pamela Uba, who made Miss World’s Top 40 in 2022. This Nigerian-born corporate compliance consultant seems poised to enhance that momentum. Other Europeans may seem to be at the forefront, but her credentials might pave the way for a surprise.

ITALY – Carmen Panepinto. This electronic engineering student advocates for female scientists and applied her biorobotics background in the field of medicine. Surely, such accomplishments will send points her way. But given how this contest ignores this country’s tough contenders from time to time (last year’s included), her prospects remain uncertain.   

KAZAHSTAN – Tomiris Zair. It’s frustrating how her promising predecessor failed to show up in New Orleans last January, even if she was already in the US. Well, turns out, there was drama behind that development, so it’s great to see this landlocked nation back in the fray. This marketing student has excellent form but might struggle in the same categories as her compatriots did. That applies even if they classify her country as Asian.    

KOSOVO – Arbesa Rhahmani. This country experienced its heyday at the tail end of the Trump Era, but hasn’t made a serious mark beyond that. This women’s rights advocate is of worthy caliber, but is so far overshadowed.  

LATVIA – Kate Alexeeva. This multi-hyphenate was supposed to mark her country’s much-awaited return last year, but tested COVID-positive even before leaving for New Orelans. Luckily, that ordeal didn’t close the doors on that milestone, and she now enters this race as the second most-followed candidate on Instagram (and as a brunette). It seems she already has some degree of clout. So, even though she’s hardly a contender, a surprise feels palpable.

MALTA – Ella Portelli. Yes, it’s great to see this island nation finally overcome its cellar dweller era and it did send us three strong contenders since its comeback. But the fact remains they haven’t caught a break, and this real estate professional hasn’t garnered enough buzz to reverse that. 

NETHERLANDS – Rikkie Kollé. Well, it was only a matter of time somebody followed Angela Ponce’s footsteps. It just so happens that we got two this year. This striking model of Moluccan heritage beat esteemed veteran Natalie Mogbelzada to secure this milestone. Thus far, she’s been figuring strongly, and that rainbow tulip number was indeed spellbinding. It’s conceivable that her stakes can improve now that a fellow transgender owns the contest.

NORWAY – Julie Tollefsen. This mental health advocate paid tribute to Queen Sonja in her national costume presentation. It’s a resplendent piece, but she’ll have to move fjords to make impact outside of that.    

POLAND – Angelika Jurkowianiec. Granted Miss Supranational 2024 really is her next stop,this health education advocate’s already a guaranteed shoo-in there. But then again, why not give her a break now? Much as her country placed only twice here since 1990, she’s considerably one of its more competitive entrants.

PORTUGAL – Mariana Machete. With this model part on board, both Iberian countries have now broken the gender barrier. Fans may prefer her features over her Dutch counterpart’s, but, so far, the latter seemingly has the edge. Some may have found her gown presentation polarizing.

RUSSIA – Margarita Golubeva. Based on this singer’s initial El Salvador photos, reception appears to be a lot warmer than in New Orleans, where her predecessor was avoided like the plague. Facially, she’s one of the undisputed standouts. But remember, the country made the cut only four times since Oxana Fedorova’s dethronement and even the most gorgeous recent entrants couldn’t follow through their country’s last placement in 2012. Factor in the country’s reputation as of late, and it’s still hard to definitively call this one a shoo-in.

SLOVAKIA – Kinga Puhová. It’s sad knowing that Silvia Lakatosova, who was both the country’s first Miss Universe participant and finalist, no longer serves as national director. But, here to usher in this new era is this fashion sustainability advocate, who’s a decent bet, albeit with uneven prospects. It’s also interesting that the country has done away with competing as “Slovak Republic”. Time will tell if the sister country eventually follows that lead and opts for “Czechia.” 

SPAIN – Athenea Pérez. As in the case of Ireland, she’s not her kingdom’s first pageant representative of color. Congolese-born Ana Karla Ramirez beat her to that milestone in Miss Supranational last year. This Equatorial Guinean-born model appears to be in stronger contention. She’s like the Castillan equivalent to Miss France 2009, Chloe Mortaud. In the event that they make more room for Europeans, she’s one to seriously consider.

SWITZERLAND – Lorena Santen. Given its erratic participation nowadays, it’s a thrill to simply see this country show up. So, even if this business administration graduate faces a steep trek, her presentations are commendable.    

UKRAINE – Angelina Usanova. Of course, this musician is bound to continue what her double award-winning predecessor, Viktoria Apanasenko, started. The fire’s still there, down to her daring phoenix-inspired gown choice. Judging from her European Fan Vote showing and her Voices of Change placement, the powers-that-be might be heeding her call. But with her country’s aggressor enjoying as much hype, is the organization ready to place both?