Miss Universe 2022 has officially begun and the delegates from all over the world are preparing to compete at the 71st Miss Universe. However, there are a few delegates who have shown immense potential even if they have not made it the seasoned hot picks lists for the crown. While not so ‘popular’, these delegates have an immense amount of confidence, perseverance, and dedication to perform well on the finale night and win placements at Miss Universe 2022.
Dark Horse candidates are those candidates about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds. In a series of features, lets know more about the Top 10 ‘Dark horse’ delegates of Miss Universe 2022.
Andreína Martínez, representing Dominican Republic, has had a long journey towards participating in Miss Universe. She was supposed to compete at the last year’s edition but could not because she was diagnosed with covid-19. After waiting for another year, Andreina is now ready to represent her beautiful country.
The stunning beauty is a Dominican-American psychologist and a model who hails from Santiago de los Caballeros and New York. Fluent in Spanish and English, Andrei´na has excellent oratory skills which will be advantageous for her at the international competition. In 2019, she attended the City College of the City University of New York (CCNY) in New York City where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and Latin American studies. She graduated summa cum laude.
Andreina has a lot of experience in social work; In 2017, she served as a legislative intern at the district office of Senator Jose Serrano in New York. Andreina has also worked as a peer mentor of the SEEK Program at the CCNY and as a health educator at Peer Health Exchange. In December 2018, the National council for Behavioral Health issued her mental health first aid certification.
(Image Source: Andreína Martínez Instagram Official)
Andreina is surely going to be a strong contender for Miss Universe crown if she maintains her dedication and sincerity towards the competition. Dominican Republic holds one Miss Universe pageant under its belt. In the last decade, the country has placed four times, highest placement being 4th Runner-up.
Miss Universe 2022, the 71st Miss Universe pageant, is all set to be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States on 14th January 2023. Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu of India will crown her successor at the end of the event.