Miss Universe 2024: Chelsea Manalo among top picks to win the crown

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Miss Universe 2024: Philippines’ Chelsea Manalo. Image: Instagram/@manalochelsea, @franciscabatbat.content

Chelsea Manalo was chosen by global pageant observer Missosology as one of its hot picks for the Miss Universe 2024 crown, along with frontrunners Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand and Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark.

Manalo landed on the ninth spot of the platform’s final hot picks list, which was released on Saturday, Nov. 16.

“She was a dark horse back at Miss Universe Philippines and it is the same status that she has now at Miss Universe,” it said of the Bulakenya beauty queen.

“There’s a lot of expectations on her and any partial observer would conclude that she fell short in delivering what was expected from her during the semis,” it noted. “Still, a sash called Philippines carries a lot of weight in the pageant and Chelsea could simply pull off a surprise!”

Missosology put Chuangsri on top of its list, describing her as “demure yet a queenly beauty.”

“She’s got a commanding stage presence without overdoing her moves. Overall, she did a solid performance during the prelims,” it added.

Theilvig, who ranked second to Chuangsri, was then regarded by the pageant platform as the top favorite among the audience and judges.

“She successfully balanced the finesse and sophistication of her beauty with her onstage pizazz and confidence. She’s a blonde bombshell that has more Latina flair rather than Scandinavian composure,” Missosology stated.

Here is the full list of Missosology’s Miss Universe 2024 final hot picks:

1. Thailand – Suchata Chuangsri
2. Denmark – Victoria Kjær Theilvig
3. Peru – Tatiana Calmell
4. Venezuela – Ileana Márquez
5. Chile – Emilia Dides
6. Mexico – María Fernanda Beltrán
7. Dominican Republic – Celinee Santos
8. Puerto Rico – Jennifer Colón
9. Philippines – Chelsea Manalo
10. Zimbabwe – Sakhile Dube
11. Paraguay – Naomi Méndez
12. Finland – Matilda Wirtavuori
13. Malaysia – Sandra Lim
14. Russia – Valentina Alekseeva
15. Honduras – Stephanie Cam
16. Nigeria – Chidimma Adetshina
17. Brazil – Luana Cavalcante
18. Ecuador – Mara Topíc
19. India – Rhea Singha
20. Myanmar – Thet San Andersen
21. Colombia- Daniela Toloza
22. Egypt – Logina Salah
23. Canada – Ashley Callingbull
24. Japan – Kaya Chakrabortty
25. Cuba – Marianela Ancheta
26. Slovakia – Petra Sivakova
27. Cambodia – Davin Prasath
28. Botswana – Thanolo Keutlwile
29. Portugal – Andreia Correia
30. United Arab Emirates – Emila Dobreva

The Miss Universe coronation night, where reigning queen Sheynnis Palacios will crown her successor, will be held in Mexico on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in the Philippines).