WHO WILL SUCCEED FRANCE'S IRIS MITTENAIRE TO WEAR THE BLUE DIAMOND STUDDED CROWN?

There are unconfirmed reports flying around that there will be major changes in the format for the selection of the semi-finalists for Miss Universe 2017. Apparently, only 4 will be chosen from each 3 merged continents as follows:

          4 from the Americas (North and South America)

          4 from Europe
          4 from Africa, Asia and Oceania          
          4 wildcards (probably the referring to the online voting)

However these are just plain rumors and Miss Universe has yet to announce the new format. If this is true, it will somehow affect Asian countries in particular, as many believe that Asian delegates are strong this year. They will have to compete for the 4 slots with other favorites notably Miss South Africa and Miss Australia (representing Africa and Oceania, respectively) but as the case may be, only 4 slots are up for grabs.

Latin Americans are apprehensive of the alleged format as they are represented by 33 delegates including countries from the Caribbean region.  Europe has 26 countries and Asia, Africa and Oceania has also 33 countries (if to include Turkey).

Popular Filipino Columnist Ricky Lo, published on his column today that Rachel Louis Peters is currently leading on the pageant's Facebook poll with over 209,000 votes, followed by Miss Thailand with over 155,000 likes; Brazil with 28,000; Colombia with 37,000; Indonesia with 24,000; Nicaragua with 18,000; and Germany with 14,000.

Among the frontrunners are Miss Thailand Maria Poonlertlarp, Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss Indonesia Bunga Jelitha Ibrani, Miss USA Cara McCullough, Mis Venezuela Keysi Sayago, Miss Philippines Rachel Louis Peters and Miss Russia Kseniya Alexandovova.

2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach will be one of the telecast judges.  She will join  Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, makeup artist and TV host Jay Manuel, Venezuelan-American YouTube star Lele Pons, TV personality Ross Mathews, and host and presenter Megan Olivi as part of the panel of judges.


Eight-time Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum artists Fergie and pop star Rachel Platten are set to perform at the coronation night.  

Hosted by Steve Harvey, the three-hour special airs live from the Axis at Planet Holywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Sunday 26 November on Fox (27 November Monday morning in Manila).  Model, enterpreneur and body activist Ashley Graham returns as backstage host and to provide analysis and commentary throughout the telecast are TV personality and fashion expert Carson Kressley and Supermodel and pageant expert Lu Sierra.

There are 92 contestants contestants vying for the blue diamond studded crown.  According to Miss Universe Org. the crown has an estimated value of $300,000 or roughly P14.32 million. It is encrusted with 311 small polished diamonds, weighing a total of 10.37 karats. The crown also contains five large blue topaz stones, weighing 18.6 karats each. These symbolize strength and loyalty. The 198 dark blue sapphire stones that weigh 18.6 karats each represent faith and wisdom. Who will be the lucky girl to win the crown?