Carolina Izsak‘s pre-Top Three ouster in 1992 was jawdropping, but the Americas did earn redemption in 2005, the second edition held in Thailand. The entire Top Five hailed from the region. But in what felt like the Latina contingent’s to lose, it was the Russian immgirant from Toronto who blew away the panel with her take on optimism. That, of course, was Natalie Glebova, Canada‘s second Miss Universe titleholder.

Since then, she chose to settle in the country and even briefly married tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan. After their separation in 2011, she chose to still call the country home and has since built a career as both an author and a wellness expert. 20 years later, she returns to her roots as a member of the selection committee. And, how timely: the crown might return to this region.

ARGENTINA – Aldana Masset. If 2004 1st Runner-Up Shandi Finnessey returned as a Latina in this era, you’ll get this singer. In a less competitive group, she can easily outdo the Top 12 placement of her subsequently-dethroned predecessor, Magali Bejeram. But in a field as cutthroat as this, making the cut might be enough.

ARUBA – Hannah Arends. Following its string of comeback placements in 2021 and 2024, the “One Happy Island” tag can very much still apply, even if this aspiring lawyer’s no shoo-in.

BAHAMAS – Maliqué Maranda Bowe. Her Supra-Modelnod in Miss Supranational 2023 implied that she was close to making the cut then. Here, however, she has twice as much competition, thus faces a steeper climb.

BELIZE – Isabella Zabaneh. With its Miss Earth win in 2021 and first Miss World placement in 2024, Central America’s lone anglophone has never been this visible. This Professional Communications student might as well add another milestone, granted she overcomes the intense competition.

BOLIVIA – Yessica Hausermann. Naturally, the Heart of South America would wish to continue the momentum of last year’s drought-ending Top 12 finisher. But while this odontologist remains of the same worthy caliber, there’s no assurance this new committee would think the same way.

BONAIRE – Nicole Peiliker. One yearafter its return, the island breaks barriers with this 42-year-old mom. It’s unclear if that can translate to a breakthrough, though she does look striking.

BRAZIL – Maria Gabriela Lacerda. In a year where a Latina bloodbath looms, this journalist fiercely manages to hold her on. Are they done shutting out this Lusophone giant yet?

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS – Olivia Freeman. Contrary to what her surname suggests,  she’s the younger sister of Adora Rocio Baly, who competed with Pia Wurtzbach 10 years ago. She has a sweet face, but expect the usual result for this UK territory.

CANADA – Jaime VandenBerg. This model-philanthropist has come a long way from Miss Earth dropout to Miss World Top 40 qualifier. However, looking her best doesn’t guarantee her best showing. She faces far more adversaries this time, so she’ll have to elbow her way in.   

CAYMAN ISLANDS – Tahiti Moores Seymour. The divers’ paradisetook huge strides with last year’s Voice for Change finalist. This dead ringer to Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams is another promising step, although a breakthrough’s still not assured.

CHILE – Inna Moll. Before this year’s candidates left for Thailand, this vlogger was hyped as the face of the competition, if not the one to beat. But as weeks progressed, observers noticed her standing out less, and it’s not just because of that controversial reel, which both she and the creator already apologized for. Other contenders are emerging, simple as that. And, while she remains to be among the most gorgeous, Cecilia Bolocco’s footsteps might remain unfollowed. At the very least, expect the placement streak to continue. Anything beyond that would be a welcome surprise.

COLOMBIA – Vanessa Pulgarín. Fans reeling from herMiss International shutout can now rejoice seeing this renowned model not just back in the game, but also dominating it with ease. Perhaps, her pageant heartbreak at age 26 simply prepped her for something more momentous at 34. The time may be ripe and now that the contest has opened its doors to older women, maybe the next titleholder should personify that.

COSTA RICA – Mahyla Roth. The last Costa Rican to compete in Thailand was a refreshing Top 10 surprise. That, of course, was the chatterbox Natalia Carvajal, who infamously roasted Steve Harvey. ThisMiss International alumna can easily continue that momentum and even improve on her previous finish. She also seems underway to winning Miss Photogenic.

CUBA – Lina Luaces. While not the clear-cut Latin favorite, this Miami-born psoriasis warrior has a fair shot at continuing what Marianela Ancheta started. It would be a welcome treat for an island that spent 57 years AWOL and 67 not making the cut.

CURAÇAO – Camille Sabina Thomas. One thing’s for sure, the island’s bound to reclaim supremacy in Team Dutch Antilles. As for this actress’ overall prospects, she’s still a worthy possibility, but the emerging contenders are putting her early favorite status in jeopardy.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Jennifer Ventura. Since the turn of the 2020s, the country has been missing the cut in odd-numbered years. That puts this civil engineer at a slight disadvantage. If it’s any consolation, though, another Dominicana seems poised to go far – but that one’s wearing a different sash, and a perplexing one at that.

ECUADOR – Nadia Mejía-Webb. Her dad, Gerardo, may be a one-hit wonder, but she’s no one-pageant wonder. After a memorable stint as Miss California USA 2016, she now finally dons her homeland’s sash after two tries. At the minimum, she can at least avenge the last Ecuadorian to compete on Thai soil – 2018’s El Tocuyo awardee, Virginia Limongi. Anything beyond that would boil down to pageant night.

EL SALVADOR – Giuliana Zanoni. This international relations student may be overshadowed, but let’s not disregard the break Nawat gave her in Miss Grand International 2024. There’s no way she won’t put up a fight here.

GUADELOUPE – Ophély Mézino. Well, the Miss World Runner-Up Curse had long been broken by Andrea Meza. The real risk, some might say, would be this 2019 alumna ditching the French sash, which once gave her honors, to the “weaker” one, which is her home island’s. It’s a non-issue now, obviously, seeing her shine day by day and never leaving fans’ lists. For sure, she’ll continue to enchant us on-air. And imagine her going head to head with Cote d’Ivoire, should fortune favor both.

GUATEMALA – Raschel Alexandra Paz. Bear in mind that the contest’s new CEO, Mario Búcaro, was once her country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, so expect better showings for this country from here on in. Whether or not it starts with her, though, remains the question.

GUYANA – Chandini Baljor. This country’s been sending pretty ones since the ban was lifted. While this medical student continues that trend, a breakthrough still isn’t foreseen.

HAITI – Melissa Sapini. Before the country went on three-year hiatus,it scored a shock placement thanks to Mideline Philezor. It might just bookend that gap by making the cut anew. This former Miss USA Top 10 placer from Massachusetts proves that she’s more than ready for the global stage.

HONDURAS – Alejandra Fuentes. If the exclusions of the last three stunners were any indication, this international relations graduate will still face steep odds. How much longer can this country endure its seven-decade drought?

JAMAICA – Gabrielle Henry. It takes a lot of courage to power through in the wake of a devastating hurricane, more so to stay reflective of her island’s vibrance through it all. Kudos to her for showing up in amazing fighting form, even if making the cut feels less than certain.

MARTINIQUE – Celia Abatucci. As it is, this is the island’s best year since 2009, after winning Miss World-Caribbean and placing in Miss Grand International’s Top 20. Here, it can at least relish being back for a second consecutive year with this US-based activist.

MEXICO – Fátima Bosch. We wish we can say the journey’s been smooth. Unfortunately, her now-infamous verbal tirade with Nawat proved to be quite the Pandora’s Box and earned her detractors as much as it did rabid fans. We’d like to believe that she’s risen above that episode, as she never ceased showing up and charming everyone in her path. She’s still a contender, but let’s not discount the likelihood of repercussions.

MISS UNIVERSE LATINA – Yamilex Hernandez. It’s not like we never had contestants represent communities in lieu of geographic entities before. Miss International did it in 2003, when they welcomed a Miss Native American and, more inexplicably, a Miss Latin Mexico (Was the actual Miss Mexico not Latin?).

Now, in this case: the concept of having a representative for US-based Latins first floated around 2014, but it was quietly ditched. For one, that year’s Miss USA, Nia Sanchez, was already of said ethnic origin. So, what’s the use? 

But now that it’s suddenly actualized, we’ve no recourse but to take it with a grain of salt. On the bright side, Dominicans have one more compatriot to root for, one who undoubtedly brought the goods when it mattered and is more than equipped to go far. She’s a contender, even if her official sash feels more brand gimmick than an inclusivity move.

NICARAGUA – Itza Castillo. Fans have noted that Castillo means “castle”, while Palacios (as in Sheynnis) means “palace”. Yes, both surnames pertain to royal structures, but it’ll take more than that cute coincidence to ensure a sandwich victory. At the minimum, we can at least expect the streak to continue. That in itself would already suffice.

PANAMA – Mirna Caballini. Obviously, last year’s participation went off on a terrible start or, rather, abrupt end, so there’s relief seeing this theater actress shine here, even if other Latinas are enjoying the spotlight.

PARAGUAY – Yanina Gómez. Not even a Beauty with a Purpose nod could earn this lawyer a Miss World placement last May. But, it seems the tides are shifting, as some observers noted, at a suspiciously rapid pace. Turns out, she might have a connection with one of the judges. More on that soon, depending on how she fares.

PERU – Karla Bacigalupo. The Incas can thank the high heavens that their Miss Earth entry, Massiel Suarez, salvaged what was almost a fruitless year. Now, here comes another ray of hope in the person of this US-based actress. While not expected to replicate Tati Calmell’s Miss Universe Americas win, she can at least sustain the placement streak.

PUERTO RICO – Zashely Alicea. The island’s current seven-year streak began in Thailand and this dancer can very well increase that to eight. It’s now just a question of how far she can go, with other clear-cut favorites in her midst. But, bear in mind: her homeland’s hosting next year. 

SAINT LUCIA – Shianne Smith. She can be deemed a cut above the island’s recent representatives, but its status quo’s expected to remain.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Latifah Morris. Much as original titleholder, Dr. Sihlé Letren,  had her share of merits, this model is just as impressive. Had she been born decades earlier, she would have fit the cast of 1995’s Waiting to Exhale. She may not be on everyone’s lists at the moment, but a placement shouldn’t be shocking.
 
TURKS AND CAICOS – Bereniece Dickenson. Look, the territory wasn’t always a cellar dweller, as its preliminary averages from the 90s revealed. It placed once and then its last two entrants hinted at a return to form. Now, meet the future architect poised to bring forth its resurgence. At this rate, she might even exceed Carmelita Ariza’s 1987 Top 10 finish.

URUGUAY – Valeria Baladan. It’s been 40 years since Andrea Lopez secured the country’s best and, so far, last placement. This lovely communications professional is of the same archetype, but isn’t in the same level of contention.

USA – Audrey Eckert. The last American to compete in Thailand was also Nebraskan. But unlike Sarah Rose Summers, this business administration graduate’s run has been – thankfully – devoid of controversy. “No news is good news”, so they say, and it’s just what the national organization needs as it continues to undergo reforms. More importantly, it seems vindication is underway after Alma Cooper’s shutout.   

US VIRGIN ISLANDS – Brittany Dionna Robinson. See, unlike in Miss Earth or Miss Grand International, which source candidates from the mainland on occasion, this territory’s MU representatives tend to still be islanders. This mother of two is a solid contender, but receives almost no buzz.

VENEZUELA – Stephany Abasali. Ever since Amanda Dudamel won hearts in New Orleans, the powerhouse appears to be laying the groundworks for an eighth crown. It sure felt underway, when this education advocate dazzled in the opening ceremony, only to be outshone by other fierce contenders in subsequent events. The possibility’s still there but, at this point, it’s now a nail-biter. At the minimum, she can hope to attain what all her predecessors who competed in Thailand did: to reach the Final Five.

UP NEXT: Asia