Miss World 2018: Head-to-Head Challenge - Groups 1 to 4

It seems almost poetic that after Top Model, we get to meet the girls one on one in the Head to Head Challenge. If Top Model tested the girls on a critical aspect of Miss World - the ability to command attention in a crowded room, the Head to Head challenge tests whether once granted that attention, a girl can sustain it. Miss World has figured out that a pretty face can only get that far. To be an effective titleholder, the ability to relate, captivate and convince are critical. And we couldn't agree more! In a video connected world, the days of being merely photogenic are passe.

The Head to Head challenge is a tricky challenge to pull off. How does one find questions that test one's cognitive ability without being pedantic? How does one accommodate for lack of fluency in English? For differences in experience in public speaking? After all, the Miss World organization is not looking for a programmed robot, and it is the girls' underlying qualities - intelligence, charm and eloquence that they are trying to get at. To balance these complex challenges, the Head to Head Challenge offers each girl three chances to impress - via a video presentation whose content is at the discretion of the contestant or her national organization but is meant to provide an insight into a contestant's life and values; via a personal question based on the content of their introductory videos and a common question, which is shared with the girls in advance to ensure that non-native English speakers are not disadvantaged. Then it is up to the public to vote.

And although we will not exercise a vote as an organization, we have also elected to sit party and play armchair judge! Combined scores of our judges (GB directors Henrique Fontes and Andre Sleigh, and GB Miss World experts and correspondent Sally-Ann Fawcett and the person behind these reviews, Albin Beart), will be displayed after my comments. Each judge developed his/her own content, as for me, I decided to vote based on how they answered Krankie Cena´s questions solely. Others voted based on their “whole package”. The results? You will see on a “Leaderboard” in the end of each article, displaying the current standings.

So on to the contestants...

Group 1: AUSTRALIA GHANA MAURITIUS PERU ETHIOPIA CZECH REP

This was an easy group in some ways.

Mauritius was a revelation. I see why she was chosen to speak at the BWP meeting. She is articulate, passionate and looks much better in motion than in pictures. If she had a stronger organization behind her she would be a sure shot placement. As it is I think she has a chance. The EASY winner here, at least in my opinion. GB SCORE: 8,853

Australia was pretty and so sweet but she was a nervous wreck and there was much to be desired content wise. I expected much more. I think she could still go far in the competition, because she is memorable and there is a charm and sincerity about her, but she is going to have to pull her thoughts together rapidly if she wants the crown. GB SCORE: 8,987

Ghana was confident and articulate as we expect Miss Ghana winners to be but she just came across as a bit cocksure. If Australia lacked conviction, Ghana had too much of it. Her expressions and words did not match and it all left me unconvinced. GB SCORE: 7,518

Peru and Ethiopia were both solid but nothing stood out for me here. Peru´s GB SCORE: 8,290 - Ethiopia´s GB SCORE: 8,078

Czech Republic made a good impression, she is certainly an interesting woman, but she needs a bit of polish. GB SCORE: 8,263

Group 2: BARBADOS FRANCE GEORGIA CAYMAN ISLANDS PARAGUAY GERMANY

I would pick Georgia out of this group. She was interesting and well spoken and I give her props for shining in a foreign language. There was conviction in what she said. GB SCORE: 8,164

France was a disappointment (albeit from the perspective of a title favorite). She has presence, but looked dry and tired. I will chalk the latter down to the fact that she was probably jet lagged, having just arrived, but the whole thing was a bit underwhelming. She just lacked a spark that made me want to get to know her more. For me, it ended up neutralizing her Top Model win and threw open the competition again. This was not unanimous though. Some of my fellow judges still have her high up there. GB SCORE: 9,139

Cayman Islands was cute and well spoken. But she lacks a presence that complemented her vibrance. GB SCORE: 8,113

Paraguay was interesting, and a pretty girl. There's potential there but it hasn't been elevated to a contender level. But I found what she had to say interesting and she had a natural comfort about herself. GB SCORE: 8,077

Germany was an other pleasant surprise for me. She was quite eye-catching and although perhaps not as well prepared as others, she was more at ease and memorable than many. GB SCORE: 8,392

Barbados was similarly memorable for her focus and ambition, but she came across as a little too rehearsed. As a Miss World, you need to think on your feet, and I wasn't convinced. GB SCORE: 7,912

Group 3: SOUTH AFRICA VENEZUELA SIERRA LEONE FINLAND WALES LATVIA

This was a tough group to judge because there were some strong women with interesting stories but I have a clear winner in Miss Sierra Leone. Sarah Tucker was on my radar from the time she won her national title but I was worried that she would just be another pretty face. How wrong I was! She delighted with a personality, energy and confidence as effervescent as her smile! For someone who had the questions beforehand, she managed to find the right balance between being prepared with her thoughts and spontaneous with her choice of words. And her personal story shows that she is not an empty shell. If there is justice, this young woman should go very far in the competition - a top 10, even 5 is not out of the question if she continues to shine as she did! GB SCORE: 9,184

South Africa did not disappoint. She is confident, has excellent presence and is articulate, although I felt she stumbled a little on a relatively easy common question. My only concern is that she is perhaps a little too polished - I felt I was being sold an image - and I think she could find a more flattering style. GB SCORE: 9,108

Venezuela - I am not sure what happened here. For a girl coming from the pageant factory of the world, I expected a lot more. When Verushka won at Miss Venezuela, she seemed to have the right mix of polish and elegance that could break Venezuela's dry spell at Miss World, but if that matronly styling, shoddy video and incoherent speech is the referendum, it looks like we will have to wait another year. Time for a rapid rethink, because the girl has potential. GB SCORE: 8,365

Latvia on the other hand really was a positive surprise. Unlike Venezuela, she had a thoughtful, well produced video and she made a very strong impression as an intelligent and driven young woman. I think she could do well but she needs to really believe that she has the ability to win. That would elevate her public presence to match her inner self-confidence. GB SCORE: 8,371

Finland was charming, and there was a relaxed and positive vibe to her. GB SCORE: 8,367

Wales is one of the prettiest girls in the competition but she needs to believe in herself more and dig a little deeper. I found her a little overwhelmed by the more colorful personal lives of the other panelists. Miss Wales has her own unique story and charm and she should not be afraid to be who she is. GB SCORE: 7,933

Group 4: PHILIPPINES EQUATORIAL GUINEA ICELAND SENEGAL NORWAY GUYANA

This was one of the hardest groups for me to call, as each girl had very different strengths and weaknesses and no single girl excelled in every aspect.

If I had to pick one girl who shined in all aspects from this group, I would choose Equatorial Guinea simply because in my opinion, she had the best balance of looks, eloquence, eloquence and personal introduction. Well done! GB SCORE: 8,189

Two days on, I still only remember Miss Senegal from this group. Her presence was extraordinary, and her regal bearing and striking face (much better on video than in photographs) gave me a fabulous Grace Jones flashback (and I hope she stays permanently with this striking short hair - that hot pink weave in the video must never see light of day in China!) If she doesn't leave with the crown, I would not be surprised to see her on a runway in Paris or on the pages of Vogue. Sure, she has an unconventional look, but aren't conventions meant to be broken, particularly in this day and age? Perhaps Miss World has found it's own version of Alek Wek. All Aissatou needs to do is to be more confident when she speaks - the content of her answers was excellent but her delivery lacked the conviction that her thoughts had. She can afford to be confident - she is absolutely divine! GB SCORE: 8,970

Iceland - oh dear. This is one of the most successful countries in Miss World but this girl, charming as she is, was clearly not well prepared. Like the distracting sound of ice crunching underfoot in her presentation video, the utter casualness of Miss Iceland's H2H responses left me wanting to give everything a good scrub. GB SCORE: 7,989

Conversely, Norway was well prepared and I think she did a good job but she was not particularly impactful. GB SCORE: 8,010

Philippines always carries a lot of pressure on her shoulders and I think Katarina did well to not let it weigh her down. I thought she looked better than I have seen her throughout this competition, and I loved her video (but no bonus points! At least from me…). I think Katja has all the qualities to excel in this contest but it feels like she can't quite make up her mind about what she wants to look like or say. Sometimes it is better to be a one trick pony and do that well. On the plus side, she came across as authentic and warm. That matters. But to be contending for a top 10 or higher spot, Miss Philippines needs to very quickly pull all the loose strings together. GB SCORE: 8,897

GB´S MISS WORLD LEADERBOARD - After Groups 1-4

1 Sierra Leone 9,184

2 France 9,139

3 South Africa 9,108

4 Australia 8,987

5 Senegal 8,970

6 Philippines 8,897

7 Mauritius 8,853

8 Germany 8,392

9 Guyana 8,377

10 Latvia 8,371

11 Finland 8,367

12 Venezuela 8,365

13 Peru 8,290

14 Czech Republic 8,263

15 Equatorial Guinea 8,189

16 Georgia 8,164

17 Cayman Islands 8,113

18 Ethiopia 8,078

19 Paraguay 8,077

20 Norway 8,010

21 Iceland 7,989

22 Wales 7,933

23 Barbados 7,912

24 Ghana 7,518

GB comment: We love the Head-to-Head challenge and how it allows us and the fans in general to see who the girls really are! Sierra Leone appears as a huge surprise, taking the lead ahead of Top Model winner and GB pre-arrivals favorite, France! Senegal, South Africa and Mauritius also scored quite high with GB judges, showing some African power in this year´s Miss World pageant! Frankie Cena, as usual, is doing a great job, letting the candidates feel comfortable and always encouraging them to speak out and show the best they carry inside. Some back soon to read Albin´s amazing reviews, GB scores and an updated Head-to-Head challenge updated leaderboard.