Despite winning thrice since 2016, the Americas has yet to clinch the crown in the New Normal. Its closest, recently, was a surprising 2021/2022 runner-up finish from Shree Saini, the first US representative of Indian extraction.

Two countries from last year’s roster dropped out. There’s Costa Rica, whose winner defaulted to Miss Supranational after losing its license, and Uruguay, which would have marked the 25th anniversary of its best placement. That leaves 29 ladies representing the New World, including Suriname, which returns after 12 years. Here’s Team Americas/Caribbean:

ARGENTINA – Guadalupe Alomar. South America’s dolled-up answer to Kesha might be overshadowed, but her Talent nod and youth empowerment project can keep her in the running. Scoring her introduction videos with that Evita song was borderline cliche, though. Why cry for her even, Argentina? 

BELIZE – Shayari Morataya. If Elise Gayonne-Vernon could pull off last year’s breakthrough without prior buzz, then this kidney health advocate shouldn’t be ruled out yet. Her BWAP project might just add mileage, especially since she presents with passion.

BOLIVIA – Olga Chávez. Her BWAP video certainly covered a lot of bases, from her father suffering a stroke, to her actual project, which helps rehabilitate rural communities in her country. Only goes to show her heart is in the right place and that she’s a great storyteller. That might just earn her a slot, even without the Challenge placements.

BRAZIL – Jéssica Pedroso. The fact this English teacher figured strongly in Miss Earth 2022 already revealed her passion to serve. Now, as she crosses over here with an upgraded look, her momentum’s never been more powerful. If being the lone Latin American to advance in Head to Head were any indication, she just might just score a back-to-back Continental win for her country.

CANADA – Emma Morrison. No surprise: this proud Mushkegowuk Cree was coached by her Miss Universe counterpart and fellow native, Ashley Calingbull. She’s bound to secure a similar feat, with her Sports 2nd Runner-Up finish and Multimedia placement.

CAYMAN ISLANDS – Jada Ramoon. Working for the Chamber of Commerce while promoting mental health make for an impressive resume. And while she’s not the archetypal contender, her Talent and Head to Head nods give her more traction.

CHILE – Francisca Lavandero. As of this writing, this commercial pilot’s the only Chilean to ever make the first cut in MGI. Here, she’s easily the strongest entrant not to score any Challenge nod. Hopefully, this won’t affect her overall prospects in the final tally, as her work for senior citizens also deserves praise.

COLOMBIA – Catalina Quintero. Victory continues to elude the powerhouse nation here and, come to think of it, they even seldom figure in the Challenge Events. Sadly, this stunning social advocate appears to adhere to that trend. Then again, putting up her country’s first children’s hospice is a placement-worthy talk point.

CURAÇAO – Shubrainy Dams. The island may have earned breaks elsewhere, but it’s only placed once here. This Sports qualifier may not be pegged to follow Ayanette Statia’s footsteps, but she could use more attention.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Mayra Alejandra Delgado. Multimedia may be her only Challenge nod, but breast cancer prevention is said to be Julia’s pet cause this year. That might just be the key for a back-to-back placement, should the odds favor her.

ECUADOR – Sandra Alvarado. Her BWAP project, El Rincón del Futuro (“The Corner of the Future”) pushes for youth empowerment and inclusion, but this lawyer’s in for a tight race.

EL SALVADOR – Sofía Estupinián. This marketing professional has an impressive initiative that empowers woman entrepreneurs, but there are other favorites in her region. 

GUADELOUPE – Noémie Milne. This psychiatrist-in-training might not be of the pageant mold, but she’s spell-binding in her own right. Obviously, she’s a light worker (takes one to know one). So, even if this competition doesn’t do her any justice, you’d want to book a one-on-one healing session with her once this is all over. She’s that mystifying.

GUATEMALA – Jeymi Escobedo. This international business major has an inspiring BWAP project that helps the deaf and the blind, but faces the same dilemma as her fellow Sports-qualifier El Salvador.

GUYANA – Zalika Samuels. The former British Guiana’s best track record is here, and fun fact: their highest placer, Shakira Baksh, eventually married Michael Caine. Nothing’s stopping this literacy advocate from pulling a surprise or two. She started already, with her Head to Head Top 20 placement.

HAITI – Christee Guirand. She’s polished and articulate. Plus, the fact she soldiered on with her own resources due to lack of sponsorship is bound to garner sympathy. Given this tough playing field, however, making it to Telangana might be achievement enough.

HONDURAS – Izza Sevilla. If you think a seven-decade Miss Universe drought is cruel, consider that this country hasn’t even placed here at all. This educator does have a pretty face, with a youth-empowering BWAP project to boot. It’s the weak buzz that makes her chances hazy.

JAMAICA – Tahje Bennett. No one loves this Caribbean country more than this contest, as if those four precedent crowns aren’t enough proof. So, even if it hasn’t made the cut since its last win, it’s wise not to ignore this law student.

MARTINIQUE – Aurélie Joachim. After finishing second in Sports, this artistic director now makes history as the first back-to-back Top Model winner and the second for her French territory. We never know what other surprises await, now that she’s in. Her mental health project, Maison Lamou, might just earn her more nods.

MEXICO – Maryely Leal. Not even that visible birthmark can take away from her classic ethereal beauty. Even without her Sports and Multimedia Challenge nods, she can still possibly earn a regional slot.

NICARAGUA – Virmania Rodríguez. This TV presenter is of the Sheynnis Palacios mold, so, logically, she should also excel. But with no further buzz outside of her Sports placement, the competition leaves no assurance.

PANAMA – Karol Rodríguez. This student is striking enough, and is dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse. It’s a noble cause, but her overall prospects remain hazy.

PARAGUAY – Yanina Gómez. Call it auspicious that this Talent placer shares her first name with the woman who reversed her country’s pageant fortunes 21 years ago. With her project, Ñamoporã Paraguay, earning her a BWAP nod, she can now easily follow her namesake’s footsteps, if not necessarily equal that landmark finish.

PERU – Staisy Huamansisa. This logistics and transportation engineer promotes inclusion through her arts program, CATONA. That might still keep the contest in the Inca Bandwagon, even if she lacks Challenge placements.

PUERTO RICO – Valeria Pérez. This redhead from Manati made a splash with her winning Designer Dress. Now, she’s the first Latina to secure a spot, thanks to her BWAP-winning inclusivity project. And granted they award a separate continental title for the Caribbean once again, she has a shot at that, even if she misses the Final Four. 

SURINAME – Chenille Rozendaal. Some might gravitate towards counting this pharmacy employee out, but her placements in both Talent and Head to Head might just make this more than a mere comeback for the former Dutch Guiana.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Anna-Lise Nanton. Her BWAP project,The Ripple Effect, also explains her Sports 4th place finish. And now that she’s kept her islands’ streak safe with her Head to Head win, she also has a shot for Caribbean queen (again, in case they decide to award the islands separately).

UNITED STATES – Athenna Crosby. Buzz might have dissipated for this Miss Teen USA alumna, but there are factors that might still keep her in the running. Apart from her Talent placement, her advocacy centering on autism awareness is also heart-warming. Chances are, she can still charm the powers-that-be. 

VENEZUELA – Valeria Cannavò. While not of the pageant prototype, she evokes classic Hollywood glam, and even channels Grace Kelly in angles. For that reason, her Top Model placement doesn’t surprise. And with her values education initiative, The Crystal Princess, neither will her likely placement.

SUMMARY:
ALREADY QUALIFIED: Trinidad and Tobago (Head to Head), Martinique (Top Model), Puerto Rico (Beauty with a Purpose)
TOP 40 PICKS: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, United States, Venezuela
ALTERNATES: Bolivia, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Peru, Suriname
DARK HORSES: Argentina, Belize, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Panama