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A new Miss Universe will be crowned on Monday morning, to the fulfillment of one woman’s dreams. But amid all the mounting pressure and stiff competition leading to the coronation, contestants of this year’s pageant seem to be having the time of their lives.
Outgoing Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines took notice that the contestants were surprisingly calm on the eve of the pageant proper that will crown her successor.
“I think they are very calm. I’m very surprised. Usually by this time they should be very nervous but I saw the candidates a few hours ago, they are still having fun, they have this great energy, and I think they are genuinely really friends,” Wurtzbach said during the Miss Universe red carpet event at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
“I’m so excited for the show tomorrow especially that we just did the dress rehearsals. I know that it’s going to be a great show, the format is great, the performers are great. I’m really excited for the next Miss Universe,” she added.
Miss Universe Canada Siera Bearchell, who made headline recently for speaking up against body shamers, said she would try to get as much sleep as she can before their 2 a.m. call time.
“I think try to get as much sleep as we can, that’s the number one thing. But again, reminding myself that I’ve got to everything on that stage and make myself proud. And whatever happens. 2 am call time,” Bearchell said.
“If I’m going to win the crown, I will continue doing what I’ve done and that is to advocate for young women. It’s helping young women who have struggled with their self-worth and be the role model that so many young women are looking for,” she added.
Miss USA Deshauna Barber admitted that she had to listen to music and watch movies to calm her nerves before Monday’s coronation.
“The only thing I can do to relax the nerves is listen to music, watch movies, and do things that take my mind off the fact that I’m competing for Miss Universe tomorrow which is kinda nerve-wrecking in itself. But it’s exciting and very honored to walk the Miss Universe stage tomorrow,” Barber said.
Miss Universe 2015 2nd runner-up Olivia Jordan of USA advised the candidates to just “live in the moment” and get a lot of sleep.
“The preliminaries were fierce. The women really showed up. There were some supermodels, stunning. I’m so excited to see who’s going to the finals, interviews will factor in. My advice: Live in the moment. Keep breathing and just enjoy every second because you guys get to represent your country in an international stage with the best fans in the world to cheer you on,” she said.
“The Filipinos are the most wonderful people. I’m so grateful to be here and to meet so many people that have cheered me on in the past year and I think the girls are very lucky to have the pageant here because the fans are so loud,” said Jordan, a close friend of Wurtzbach.
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Here’s what the other candidates have to say on the eve of the pageant:
Miss Cayman Island: “I have to say that I feel blessed and grateful to have had the opportunity to come here and opportunity to represent my country. I know that they will choose a girl who deserves the crown. Every single girl and every single girl is so great and we have so much to offer so I’d like to say good luck to the new winner. It feels a lot like home and I can’t say how much I’ve appreciated this experience.”
Miss Chile: “I’m here for that fighting to get the crown. I wouldn’t like to fly 40 hours from my country just to flunk. My country now is having one of the biggest fires in human history at this moment and my people are really suffering so I would really love to bring back the crown, it would be an amazing gift for them to smile again;
“I would recommend that they go to the Philippines. They have to see Cebu, Boracay, Palawan. I’m in love with the Philippines. I love the mango, pandesal, and ensamayda. I was supposed to be in a diet here but I can’t stop eating Filipino food.”
Miss Sierra Leone: “It makes me feel like I’m really doing something to be appreciated this much. I thank you all the Filipino people.
Miss Haiti: “Joining Miss Universe has been a great opportunity for me to discover myself, discover that I have everything that I need to shine, discover that I am enough and I don’t anything else to believe in myself, and discover that I’m a voice for everybody that I can be a role model for the world and not just for my country.”
Miss Curacao: “I’m quite calm to be honest, surprisingly. When I get on stage my heart would be flattering really fast. But for now I’m really good, relaxed, and just ready for the final night.”
Miss Nicaragua: “I’m grateful that my hard work is actually giving a lot to my work country because I am uniting my country to support me. My country will go crazy if I win, it will be amazing. I think they deserve it.”
Miss Colombia: “I love Steve Harvey. I don’t have negative feelings for him. But this year I hope, don’t make a mistake Harvey!”
The Miss Universe coronation event will be held on Jan. 30, 8 a.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
