Miss Universe 2022, the 71st Miss Universe pageant, is scheduled to be held on 14th January 2022 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana where Harnaaz Sandhu of India will crown her successor at the end of the event finale.

Here are our first hot picks for Miss Universe 2022 crown –

Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi

Celeste Cortesi, representing Philippines, has been preparing for her international stint since April when she was crowned. Celeste is 24 years of age who works as a model and a future licensed real estate broker. Formerly, she represented Philippines at the Miss Earth 2018 competition and was placed among the Top 8 finalists with a stellar performance throughout. With her advocacy, her charming personality and prior pageant experience, Celeste will be a strong contender.

Miss Universe Colombia 2022 María Fernanda Aristizábal

María Fernanda Aristizábal, representing Colombia, has had an amazing journey. Though her reign comes late for her, she is definitely years in the making to become the next Miss Universe. Maria holds a degree in social communication from Luis Amigó Catholic University of Medellin. Her strong personality, stunning features and communication skills make her a strong contender as well.

Miss Universe Venezuela 2022 Amanda Dudamel

Amanda Dudamel, representing Venezuela, is psychologist by profession and is 24 years of age. Amanda has had the opportunity to learn so much about the culture and languages of various countries such as Colombia, Chile and South Africa because of her parents’ professional career. She became fluent in English because of her adventures. In addition to English, she also is fluent in Italian and Spanish.

Miss Universe Peru 2022 Alessia Rovegno

Alessia Rovegno, representing Peru, is 24 years of age and stands 180 cm tall. Alessia studied at Markham College. Just at the age of 19, she began haute couture modeling and making her own way to the top, she later participated in the New York Fashion Week. Alessia has also been carrying out social support campaigns with the non-profit organization Bridgestoday.

Miss Universe Cambodia 2022 Manita Hang

Manita Hang, representing Cambodia, is fluent in Cambodian, French and English. Manita attended Lyçée Français René Descartes in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In December 2021, she graduated from CamEd Business School in Phnom Penh with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. The beauty with brains delegate is another strong contender for the crown.

Miss Universe Vietnam 2022 Ngoc Chau

Ngoc Chau, representing Vietnam, is a pageant veteran with Vietnam’s Next Top Model 2016 title, won Miss Supranational Vietnam 2018 and represented her country at Miss Supranational 2019 winning the title of Miss Supranational Asia and placed in Top 10. She is also going to fly her country’s flag high.

Miss Universe Panama 2022 Solaris Barba

Solaris Barba, representing Panama, hails from Arraiján and graduated in 2016 from Instituto Justo Arosemena with a specialization in business and is currently studying marketing and international business. In December 2018, she represented Panama at Miss World 2018 in China in December, where she was one of the Top 12 semi-finalists and was awarded the title Miss World Americas 2018, the highest placement achieved by a Panamanian up to that date.

Miss Universe Mexico 2022 Irma Miranda

Irma Miranda, representing Mexico, is a Mexican model, presenter and beauty queen. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and finance at Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora in Ciudad Obregon. Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, Irma holds various titles under belt; she was Nuestra Belleza Cajeme 2015 and went on to represent Cajeme at Nuestra Belleza Sonora 2015, competing eleven contestants in Sonora and won the title. In 2016, she represented Sonora at Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2016 and competed against 28 other candidates at Foro 2 of Televisa San Angel in Mexico City, Mexico. She was adjudged first runner-up to Kristal Silva of Tamaulipas. The 24-year-old was crowned Mexicana Universal Sonora 2021 and that’s how she gained the chance to represent Sonora at Mexicana Universal 2022 and won. Another strong contender for the crown for sure.

Miss Universe Indonesia 2022 Laksmi De-Neefe Suardana

Laksmi De-Neefe Suardana, representing Indonesia, earned her Diploma of Arts from Monash College in 2013. She then received her double degree program, Bachelor of Design in Fashion Design from RMIT University in Australia and Bachelor of Business in Fashion Business from Polimoda in Italy and graduated with cum laude. This was Laksmi’s first national pageant and won as well. Being a strong, beautiful and talent diva, Laksmi will surely be a strong contender for the international crown.