After the Miss Universe 2019 Preliminary Competitions were aired online on December 7, 2019 from Atlanta Georgia, pageant fans had a clear perspective on who among the 90 contestants this year will make it through the Top 20 semifinalists.

And as a tradition, we are releasing our own Hot Picks based on the contestants’ performance in the Evening Gown and Swimsuit competition during the prelims. We divided them into 4 categories: 5 from Africa and Asia Pacific, 5 from the Americas, 5 from Europe and 5 Wildcards.

Africa and Asia Pacific

• Zozobini Tunzi, SOUTH AFRICA
• Gazini Ganados, PHILIPPINES
• Frederika Cull, INDONESIA
• Stacy Michuki, KENYA
• Paweensuda Drouin, THAILAND

Americas

• Gabriela Tafur, COLOMBIA
• Julia Horta, BRAZIL
• Cheslie Kryst, USA
• Kelin Rivera, PERU
• Madison Anderson, PUERTO RICO

Europe

• Cindy Marina, ALBANIA
• Fionnghuala Oreily, IRELAND
• Birta Abiba, ICELAND
• Maeva Coucke, FRANCE
• Natalie Ortega, SPAIN

WILDCARDS

• Thalia Olvino, VENEZUELA
• Thuy Hoang, VIETNAM
• Geraldine Gonzales, CHILE
• Vartika Singh, INDIA
• Sofia Aragon, MEXICO

Our Predicted TOP 10:

TOP 5

TOP 3

With Paulina Vega in the panel, we could see Colombia go as far as Top 3. Julia Horta of Brazil should also be in the Top 3 but we put Gazini Ganados instead. But I think 2019 is Thailand’s year and Paweensuda Drouin, being fluent in English, could ace the final question and answer and win the third Miss Universe crown for her country.