MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 6

WHO WILL BE MISS UNIVERSE 2008??

by Henrique Fontes

One month ago, when Global Beauties entered its 10th straight year covering the Miss Universe pageant (10 years, it's unbelievable!), the answer to the question of who would become Miss Universe 2008 seemed obvious: Miss Venezuela, Diana Mendoza, one of the most stunning women probably ever seen in the Miss Universe competition. However, if there's something we should have learned after a decade covering local, national and international beauty pageants, is that beauty alone does not make a winner. It's all about that so-called 'whole package', something very difficult to conceptualize, but which, in the end, decides the beauty game.

Speaking of beauty, and beauty alone, Miss Venezuela is not the only one to score a perfect 10,0 this year. There's also Miss Mexico, Elisa Najera, another great example of pure physical perfection. As a matter of fact, these two knock-out beauties remained on the top of GB's Pyramid for over three weeks, switching positions every couple of days.

Then there were those candidates who literally saved their best for last, so to speak sexy Panama, doll-faced USA and, above all, the hurricane from Colombia.

When Taliana Vargas won the Miss Colombia title last year, there were many complaints. Based on photos, pageant fans from around the world thought the 1st runner-up, who will compete in Miss International, should've been the winner. Those who actually watched the pageant and paid attention to Tatiana, knew better: Tatiana had been the right choice after all. It was the 'whole package' defeating 'perfect beauty'.

Even if she does not win tomorrow morning, she managed to conquer the Universe's preference, becoming the number 1 favorite for the title. Perhaps that's what that 'complete package' is all about: candidates who not only know they have it, but also know how to play the game.

In addition to those five, five other beauties have high chances of bagging the coveted Miss Universe crown: Australia, a breathtaking beauty who has clearly been following Jennifer Hawkins' steps; India, the most celebrated beauty from her country in recent years; Ireland, whose natural looks and amazing stage presence made many pageant observers think of her as a possibility for the crown in the last few days; Norway and her perfect face and unmatchable personal style; and Thailand, the number one option from the Far East, where the pageant is being held.

Finally, we should not forget, there's Miss Puerto Rico, Ingrid Rivera, a woman loved by some, hated by others, talked about by everybody.

Of course there's always that delicious 'surprise factor' (read Patrick Tripoldi's article "Free Your Mind: Will those “Funky” Girls Ever Breakthrough at Miss Universe?"), girls who come out of 'nowhere' to become semi-finalists, finalists or even to take it all. There has been more than a couple in Miss Universe history.

We must keep in mind though, that becoming Miss Universe means getting a year-long full time job, which makes the Miss Universe pageant a glamorous job interview. Photos, videos, and five-minute chats with the contestants give us no more than a glimpse of what MUO crew have been seeing and taking note for the four weeks. That's the reason why they get to choose 5 of the 15 semi-finalists, those who cause reactions such us: "Oh my God, why her???". Think about it, such choices make sense for those who, in the end, will have to spend a whole year with the chosen one.

In conclusion, ten years traveling the world covering all types of pageants made us realize that, when it comes to beauty contests, the unpredictable is the only thing actually predictable. WE KNOW NOTHING. NOBODY DOES. Global Beauties and other specialized websites and blogs can produce favorites, but never get the results 100% right. And there lies the beauty of this business: yesterday is never like today, and today is never like tomorrow. When it come to beauty pageants, anything can happen.

So who will be Miss Universe 2008? God knows, literally.

Photos: 1) "Mirror, mirror...", Miss Venezuela is a reflection of perfection; 2) Miss Colombia 2008: When the 'whole package' (left) defeated 'perfection'; 3) Surprise factor: in 1969 the world was more stunned by Gloria Diaz election in Miami Beach, than with the man finally stepping on the moon.

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But just for the fun of it, let's discover who the Miss U 08 favorites produced but pageant-related media vehicles are:

GB's Pyramid: Colombia, Panama, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Ireland, Australia, Norway, India, Thailand, Serbia, Israel, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and Kosovo;

Bookmaker.com: Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, USA, Colombia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Ireland, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Kosovo, Norway and Australia;

Canbet.com: Venezuela, USA, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, India, Czech Republic, India, Albania, Ireland, Australia, Vietnam, Spain and Norway;

Chilean Charm: Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Belgium, USA, India, Puerto Rico, Panama, Ukraine, Thailand, Brazil, Kosovo, South Africa, Korea;

Misossology.org: Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, India, Panama, Spain, South Africa, USA, Brazil, Norway, Australia, Kosovo, Thailand, Belgium and Puerto Rico;

CriticalBeauty.com: Antigua & Barbuda, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, Venezuela;

Pageant Almanac: Norway, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, USA, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic, Mexico, Panama, Israel, Colombia, South Africa, Uruguay, Slovak Republic, Australia, Japan;

Beauty School: USA, India, Switzerland, Antigua & Barbuda, France, Jamaica, Norway, Ukraine, Tanzania, Hungary, Panama, Mexico, Thailand, Spain;

As our dear friend and self-declared missologist William Prendiz would say, "Long live the Miss Universe spirit!".

Best of luck to all!