Miss Guyana Universe, Niketa Barker is listed in the top 20 on the Global Beauties Leader’s Board but the favourite for copping the title of Miss Universe has shifted from Miss Philippines, Mary Jean Lastimosa to Miss Spain, Desire Cordero.
Coming in as the second favourite to win the title is Miss Colombia, Paulina Vega followed by Miss Serbia, Andjelka Tomasevic and trailing behind is Miss USA, Nia Sanchez and Miss Jamaica, Kaci Fennell.
Other contestants to keep a close eye on are Miss Venezuela, Migbelis Lynette Castellanos; Miss Mexico, Josselyn Garciglia; Miss Dominican Republic, Kimberly Castillo and Miss India, Nogonita Lodh.
On Wednesday evening, the preliminary competition was streamed live from Miami Florida but based on the reaction from the audience Miss Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa was definitely the favourite.
However, Guyana has been coping with the stiff competition and while it seems as though she nailed it during the preliminaries, there were some mixed reactions about the choice of evening gown.
Nevertheless, her posture was excellent as she displayed her two piece swimwear and more so her national costume. Now, all eyes will be glued to television sets across the world as the competition winds down on Sunday evening.
On that night, 88 delegates from around the world will know their fate as the top 15 is announced. The scores from the preliminary competition on Wednesday evening will guide the judges as they make their selections.
Miss Guyana is hopeful that she makes it in the top 15 claiming that she has done her best. She was also voted as the winner of the online site for the Sash People’s Choice Award.
Once chosen in the top 15, the delegates will be judged once again on swim suite and evening gown before the list is slashed in half. The final five will be judged on their intelligence which is the decisive factor as to who will wear the crown.