Miss Universe 2022 - Meet the candidates Paraguay - Vietnam
Ukraine´s “Angel of Light”: a national costume with a statement.
Miss Universe 2022, the 71st edition, will be crowned on January 14th, in New Orleans Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Meet the candidates, with some exclusive data, opinions, and information. This is Group 3, from Paraguay to Vietnam.
PARAGUAY - Lia Ashmore
Lia Ashmore is passionate about living life to the fullest. For her, that means enjoying nature, art in all of its expressions, and health. For the past five years, she has worked in marketing and graphic design. She competed in Miss Grand International 2017, in Vietnam, and placed in the Top 20.
Debut: 1957
Best placement: 2nd (2021)
Last placement: 2021 (2nd)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 46th
GB comment: There´s a lot of pressure on Lia´s shoulders after last year´s historical 2nd place by Nadia Ferreira. Nonetheless, Lia has some experience (Top 20 in MGI 2017) and has prepared for her task. Watch out for her in the swimsuit competition!
PERU - Alessia Rovegno
Rovegno is a proud entrepreneur and co-owner of her family’s bakery. She has also followed her passion for music by founding a musical duo with her sister and performing all over Perú.
Debut: 1952
Best placement: Winner (1957)
Last placement: 2020 (3rd)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 21st
GB comment: Alessia is, in our opinion, one of the favorites for the crown this year. She´s gorgeous, has a great attitude, and is naturally beautiful. She´s been very well prepared by Jessica Newton´s team. We forecast that Peru will get not less than top 10 this year.
PHILIPPINES - Celeste Cortesi
Celeste Cortesi embarked on a transformational journey of self-discovery that led to more than just discovering her roots, it gained her the love of an entire nation and a purpose beyond herself. Cortesi works with Save the Children Philippines focused especially on curbing hunger and the malnutrition crisis.
Debut: 1952
Best placement: 4 winners (1969, 1973, 2015, 2018)
Last placement: 2021 (Top 5)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 6th
GB comment: Another heavy favorite to win is Celeste, who´s gorgeous and got the full package. Can the Philippines win its 4th Miss Universe crown on January 14th?
POLAND - Aleksandra Klepaczka
Aleksandra Klepaczka is a huge music lover who graduated from music school at the age of 17. She sings, plays the violin and guitar, and practices all of these skills in a local band.
Debut: 1958
Best placement: 4th (1986 and 1989)
Last placement: 2018 (Top 20)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 48th
GB comment: Poland is very cute, super sweet, and has a talent for music. Depending on her preliminary performance, she could pull a surprise.
PORTUGAL - Telma Madeira
Madeira has completed many courses including those on dental customer service and culinary and baking courses. On several occasions, she voluntarily cooked and served the local fisherman of her town to provide them with warm, nutritious food after long hours of hard work. In 2017 she competed in Miss Earth, having reached the Top 8.
Debut: 1960
Best placement: Top 10 (2011)
Last placement: 2019 (Top 20)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 82nd
GB comment: Portugal has arrived in NOLA with full power! We love her energy, and beauty, and her Miss Earth experience (top 8) may help her to get far. She´s growing by the minute, eye on Portugal!
PUERTO RICO - Ashley Cariño
Ashley Cariño dreams of becoming the first Miss Universe to ever go to space. She is completing a degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida with hopes of specializing in the field of rocket propulsion. Her ultimate goal is to work for NASA, which has been a childhood dream of hers. As Miss Florida USA 2021, she placed 3rd in Miss USA.
Debut: 1952
Best placement: 5 winners (1970, 1985, 1993, 2001, and 2006)
Last placement: 2021 (Top 10)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 5th
GB comment: A future astronaut with some great pageant experience (3rd place in Miss USA) has a fair chance to take Puerto Rico to the heights of the Universe once again. The Caribbean island already has 5 Miss U titles and Ashley could be the 6th!
RUSSIA - Anna Linnikova
Anna Linnikova loves literature and art and enjoys learning from the best graduates and scholars. She is also developing her own clothing brand. She has been a professional model since the age of 16 and has completed several successful contracts around the world.
Debut: 1990 (as USSR)
Best placement: dethroned winner (2002)
Last placement: 2012 (Top 10)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 30th
GB comment: “In an official statemen, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said its executive board recommends that International Sports Federations and event organisers not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions. If this was not possible for "organizational or legal reasons," the IOC said it was calling on officials to do "everything in their power" to prevent the two countries from taking part under the name of Russia or Belarus in international events”.
It´s not about the girl, who we are sure is lovely. It´s about a nonsense invasion and Putin using the participation of Miss Universe Russia in the pageant as political propaganda (just google Putin and Miss Universe Russia). To make it worse, at a time when Russians are killing Ukrainians to gain more territory, Miss Universe Russia will compete with a national costume entitled “Russia Empire. We applaud Miss Supranational for having the courage to ban Russia and Belarus from their competition and hope Miss World will do the same (knowing them, we are almost sure they will).
SAINT LUCIA - Sheris Paul
She works closely with the Royal Police Force in educating young people on the effects of cyberbullying, domestic violence, and abuse across schools on Saint Lucia.
Debut: 1977
Best placement: unplaced
Last placement: never placed
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 120th
GB comment: It´s great to see this well-accomplished young woman from Saint Lucia marking the return of her lovely country to Miss U after three years.
SEYCHELLES - Gabriella Gonthier
Gabriella Gonthier was born in Sydney, Australia but raised in the exquisite archipelago of the Seychelles Islands, specifically on Mahe. Gabriella graduated from the University of London with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a specialization in International Business.
Debut: 1995
Best placement: unplaced
Last placement: never placed
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 153rd
GB comment: The first and only time Seychelles had taken part in Miss Universe was back in 1995. 27 years later it´s back with this radiant beauty from the Indian Ocean!
SINGAPORE - Carissa Yap
Carissa Yap is passionate about empowering women and closing the gender gap in the male-dominated industry of finance. Being raised by a single mother, she has witnessed firsthand that there are no limits to a woman’s capabilities when given the right opportunities and support.
Debut: 1954
Best placement: Top 10 (1987)
Last placement: 2021 (Top 16)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 74th
GB comment: Singapore made the top 16 in Miss Universe for the first time in 34 years in 2021. Can Carissa keep the streak going? She´s very committed and smart, we shall see.
SLOVAKIA - Karolina Michálčiková
Karolina Michalcikova is a university student currently studying human resources and management. She has already earned her bachelor’s degree and is finishing her final year of engineering. Karolina Michálčiková also competed in Miss Earth last year and she did not place there. Can things happen differently in Miss U?
Debut: 1994
Best placement: Top 6 (1994)
Last placement: 1994 (top 6)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 84th
GB comment: Slovakia started its history in Miss Universe so well in 1994, when the country´s representative placed in the Top 6! But then never again a Slovakian made it to the next round of competition of Miss U.
SOUTH AFRICA - Ndavi Nokeri
Ndavi Nokeri was crowned Miss Universe South Africa in August 2022. She has a BCom Investment Management degree from the University of Pretoria and was working for an asset management firm at the time of her crowning.
Debut: 1952
Best placement: 3 winners (1978, 2017, and 2019)
Last placement: 2021 (3rd)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 8th
GB comment: The Miss South Africa pageant is one of the strongest national competitions on Earth. South Africa has been doing extraordinarily well in Miss Universe and Ndavi is expected to shine and fight for the crown. She is very strong and a hot favorite, once again!
SOUTH KOREA - Hanna Kim
Hanna Kim was inspired to work in the field of clinical research as a linguist and translator after losing her father to cancer. In his memory, Hanna advocates for the mental health of cancer patients and their families.
Debut: 1954
Best placement: 2nd (1988)
Last placement: 2007 (4th)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 37th
GB comment: Miss Korea is lovely and has a very pretty face.
SPAIN - Alicia Faubel
Faubel has lived in the Philippines for over three years working in modeling and acting. She loves Filipino culture, food, and fashion in addition to its cultural and historical connections to Spain. Faubel speaks fluent English, Spanish, Valenciano, and is proficient in Tagalog.
Debut: 1960
Best placement: Winner (1974)
Last placement: 2017 (top 10)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 17th
GB comment: We believe Spain could be one of the “surprises” in this year´s pageant. Alicia is beautiful and bright and has a lot to tell the judges. Eye on Spain!
SWITZERLAND - Alia Guindi
Alia Guindi has been passionate about dance since the age of six years old. She began with classical dance and then added contemporary dance. Today, she passes on her passion to children by regularly giving classes in a dance company.
Debut: 1953
Best placement: 3rd (2006)
Last placement: 2013 (Top 16)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 32nd
GB comment: It´s good to be Switzerland back in Miss U after four years. Alia has a great personality.
THAILAND - Anna Sueangam-iam
Anna Sueangam-iam was born and raised in a slum in Bangkok with her father. In an effort to protect her from an unsafe environment, her family sent her to a temple where she grew up among Buddhist nuns. Here her meals consisted of leftover food from the monks which most people would consider waste. Today she works to see Thai children have more accessibility to education.
Debut: 1954
Best placement: 2 winners (1965 and 1988)
Last placement: 2020 (top 10)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 20th
GB comment: Anna is very strong and many people expect her to be in the Top 10. Depending on how she performs, she could capture the 3rd Miss U crown for Thailand.
THE BAHAMAS - Angel Cartwright
Private Banker, first-time author, and climate change enthusiast Angel J. Cartwright is strong, determined, passionate, and not afraid to succeed. Her platform “There is No Planet B” focuses on promoting conservation and preventing climate change.
Debut: 1963
Best placement: Top 10 (2021)
Last placement: 2021 (top 10)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 86th
GB comment: Miss The Bahamais has a lovely personality and an impressive CV.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - Tya Jané Ramey
Tya Jané Ramey is a two-time national beauty ambassador. Her titles include; Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago 2022, Miss World Trinidad and Tobago, and Miss World Caribbean 2019. She is currently earning her Master’s degree of Social Work and holds a Bachelor’s of Science and a certificate in Social Work and Social Policy.
Debut: 1963
Best placement: 2 winners (1977 and 1998)
Last placement: 2006 (top 10)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 28th
GB comment: Miss World Caribbean 2019, Tya hopes to make her country proud again.
TURKIYE - Aleyna Şirin
Aleyna Şirin is currently studying interior architecture and environmental design. She has a professional dance certificate and has danced ballet for three years and jazz for five years. She graduated from the Istanbul Drama Art Academy.
Debut: 1952
Best placement: Top 10 (1990)
Last placement: 2012 (top 16)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 76th
GB comment: A natural beauty, Miss Universe Turkiye hopes to do well in New Orleans.
UKRAINE - Viktoriia Apanasenko
Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Apanasenko has been working as a volunteer helping to prepare food for the battalions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and victims of war. Along with her friend, she provided food, medicine, and hygiene products to more than 300 Ukrainian families, and she continues helping internally displaced people.
Debut: 1995
Best placement: 3rd (2011)
Last placement: 2014 (4th)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 39th
GB comment: the strength of the Ukrainian people will make it to Miss Universe via an empowering national costume Miss Ukraine is taking to NOLA. Viktoria Apanasenko has a weapon in her hands, her body is in stylized armor, while at the same time, she brings light through this total darkness, metaphorical and literal, that has come to our lands with the aggressor. It says a lot. And so does her participation in Miss Universe. Go, Ukraine!
URUGUAY - Carla Romero
Carla Romero graduated from university at age 22 with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and has worked in multinational companies since she was 18 years old. She believes that education is a wonderful tool to become the leader of your life.
Debut: 1952
Best placement: 5th (1985)
Last placement: 1985 (5th)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 53rd
GB comment: Uruguay does not place in Miss Universe since very distant 1985. Carla is clever, pretty and disciplined. Let´s see how far she can take her lovely country in New Orleans!
USA - R'Bonney Gabriel
R’Bonney is an eco-friendly fashion designer, model, and sewing instructor with an excitement for life. She attributes her opportunistic outlook to her upbringing immersed in the arts, sports, and travel. As a high-school volleyball player who pivoted to fashion, she quickly fell in love with constructing designs with fabrics and textiles at the young age of 15.
Debut: 1952
Best placement: 8 winners (1954, 1956, 1960, 1967, 1980, 1995, 1997, and 2012)
Last placement: 2021 (top 10)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 1st
GB comment: We do not think the controversy on her victory at Miss USA will hurt her now. Miss USA, competing at home, should snap a Top 10 placement.
VENEZUELA - Amanda Dudamel
Amanda Dudamel is a successful fashion designer who received her degree from Rome’s European Institute of Design and also specialized in fashion sustainability at the London College of Fashion. She has lived in eight different countries and those experiences have provided her with first-hand knowledge of current trends on digital design and sustainable production processes.
Debut: 1952
Best placement: 7 winners (1979, 1981, 1986, 1996, 2008, 2009, and 2013)
Last placement: 2021 (top 16)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 2nd
GB comment: THE ONE TO BEAT! Ever since Amanda was elected Miss Universe Venezuela, we´ve said that she would be the favorite to win the Miss Universe crown. She hasn´t disappointed her fans and with her amazing beauty and wonderful personality, we think Amanda is on her way to winning the Miss Universe title for the 8th time for Venezuela!
VIETNAM - Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Châu
Ngọc Châu aspires to become an entrepreneur, producer, and host of her own program. She wishes to use the platform to bring greater, more positive influences to her community and to support underprivileged children and women in Vietnam.
Debut: 2004
Best placement: Top 5 (2018)
Last placement: 2021 (top 16)
GB Miss Universe Ranking: 60th
GB comment: Ngọc Châu has a supportive national pageant and thousands of fans backing and rooting for her. We expect her to shine and do well on January 14th.