Miss Universe contest holds its preliminary round in Bangkok
2,561 views · Published 18 December 2018 · 4:46 · Indexed 28 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · Entertainment
(13 Dec 2018) MISS UNIVERSE CONTEST HOLDS ITS PRELIMINARY ROUND IN BANGKOK The Miss Universe contest ramped up Thursday (13 DEC. 2018) in Bangkok, when the 94 hopefuls from around the world took part in the preliminary round of the competition. Whether they advance to Sunday night's final, depends on how well they impressed the panel with their poise, grace and beauty in two shows: the evening gown section and the swimsuit section which kicked off the evening's show. A number of contestants have started to emerge as favourites among onlookers: one of them is Albania's Trejsi Sejdini who drew the first big cheers of the night. Also popular is China's Meisu Qin, a professional model from the country's northeast. Great Britain is represented by former elite athletic Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers: she's a qualified barrister and is the first black woman ever to hold the British title. One of the other emerging favorites is Miss Universe Philippines, Catriona Gray. A large Philippines segment of the crowd gave her a rousing welcome. But there was no question of who was the real darling of the evening: hometown girl, Miss Universe Thailand, Sophida Kanchanarin. The 23-year-old works in an investment banking office in Bangkok, after studying for five years in Las Vegas. The odds seem in her favour: at least, as far as her fans are concerned. Before the round began there was a definite air of the jitters among the contestants, back stage, very different from the frivolity of the national costume show on Monday. Whether they progress to the final round doesn't only depend on the impression they made in swimsuits and evening gowns – they've also been interviewed in private - but even so, they all wanted to do well before the large and raucous audience. Thailand's Sophida Kanchanarin had few problems with nerves. "I am definitely, 100% confident," she said, "because this competition, you got to be confident in who you are, believe in your skills and knowledge and use that to win the competition." Others readily confessed to nerves. "This is a big thing. This is it right here. The Top 20 will be determined by this," said Kenya's Wabaiya Kariuki, while France's Eva Colas said she felt the same but was also excited. "Look, I'm very excited and at the same time a bit nervous. I just want to do my best and we'll see. I'm well prepared and I'm quite happy." One of the calmest was one of the real newsmakers of the contest: Spain's Angela Ponce, the first openly transgender woman to compete for the title. "I feel very calm," she said. "I also feel serene because I have worked and prepared myself so I can face it." And when the evening gown round got underway she looked the very picture of serenity, clearly enjoying the occasion and lapping up the attention. Miss Russia, Yulia Polyachikhina wowed the audience with her striking evening gown. She has worked as an international model and is currently studying journalism. Predictably the appearance of Miss Universe Thailand in her evening wear almost blew the roof off the arena: her army of fans screaming their delight and waving national flags. But Vietnam's H'Hen Nie also went down well, in an eye-catching yellow outfit. Zambia's Melba Shakabozha rounded off the evening with elegance and style. The judges will make their selction for the final, but who makes the cut, and who doesn't, won't be known till the final round itself. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/db2a803dbd832857d0bc798d906697f1
