Cassandra: Good evening everyone, I’m Cassandra Porto.
Janet: And I am Janet Sullivan, reporting from Nha Trang, Vietnam.
Cassandra: After a couple of days watching the candidates in rehearsals, pre-tapings and talking to some of them, it’s time for us to share some thoughts and prognostics with you.
Janet: That’s right Cassandra, and let me tell you! Some of these girls are taking it way too serious! I was told that one contestant was caught in the act doing witchcraft with another contestant’s photo, can you believe it??
Cassandra: This is scary, Janet! Oh my God!
Janet: But let’s get straight to business, that is, beauty business!

Cassandra: Janet, what do you think of Albania?
Janet: I think she is incredibly photogenic, especially when there’s Photoshop to help…
Cassandra: I know, and although she sounds genuine, she lacks some glamour, it’s hard to explain…
Janet: But she is different, and perhaps for that reason, she is popular in Vietnam. This girl has style. Peculiar style that is, but she does have it.
Cassandra: But will it be enough? She has a few evident extra pounds and her evening gown is not exactly among the best ones we've seen …

Cassandra: Angola, a country which has been doing consistently well in pageants lately…
Janet: I like her, I think she is well groomed and prepared, but I am not sure she has that X-factor to stand out in such a strong group of delegates.
Cassandra: And I was told she gained at least 6 pounds in the last 3 weeks!

Cassandra: Ok, from Africa to the Caribbean, let’s move to Antigua and Barbuda…
Janet: This girl needs serious help in the hair and make-up department!
Cassandra: I agree, but on the other hand, it’s great to see Antigua & Barbuda back, and she has such an aura!
Janet: She is a long shot, but I have a feeling she could be a nice surprise.
Cassandra: If so, here goes a little piece of advice to her: girl, please find another dress!!!

Cassandra: Argentina is a country crying for help when it comes to pageants! It has so much potential, and what we see in Miss Universe and Miss World is definitely not the very best this South American country with a taste of Europe has to offer!
Janet: I hope Miss Argentina doesn’t hate us, it’s not personal AT ALL! She is a cute girl who might have been thrown in Vietnam, clueless of what she’s there for. Her evening gown was a disaster. No chance on the universe for her…

Cassandra: I like Aruba, the girl who bites her nails!
Janet: Yes, just like me! I like her too. She is spontaneous and looks very sexy and ‘Caribbean’, without desperately trying to do so.
Cassandra: Her gown is nice, not outstanding, but nice. It suits her well.
Janet: But will she be up there? Honestly, I don’t think so.

Cassandra: Australia, the girl from Down Under, looks just fabulous!
Janet: I know, look at that long, perfect legs!! Just like Jennifer’s!
Cassandra: I was amazed to see that she looks even more stunning in person than she does in photos. Top 5 to me.
Janet: I agree. I just love her, and think she could do it again for Australia, 4 years after Jennifer did it in Ecuador.

Janet: I have a question for Miss Bahamas – Girl, why did you dye your hair?? You were such a gorgeous blonde!
Cassandra: Janet, she was one of my pre-pageant favorites, but with darker hair, although still beautiful, she lost some spice…
Janet: I really like her sultry voice and the sweet, and at the same time confident, look in her eyes.
Cassandra: She is a bit too short though.

Cassandra: Next we have Belgium…
Janet: This girl is absolutely stunning, certainly one to watch out for!
Cassandra: Her evening gown is chic, she looks like a diva from those old, great movies!
Janet: But, she did not project well in the preliminary competition. She lacked energy, that “hey, I am here to win” quality that girls not as pretty as her have.
Cassandra: I still think she could, but I am not sure she will…

Janet: Miss Bolivia has very strong facial features, which is not necessarily bad, she is very unique and beautiful…
Cassandra: She is that sexy Latina which many men wish they had living next door!
Janet: She is, isn’t she? Her gown is not my favorite, but it looks great on her.
Cassandra: I don’t believe she will make the cut, though.

Janet: Brazil comes next, what do you think of her, Cassandra?
Cassandra: We have already said it, her performance in the preliminary event was flawless. In my opinion Miss Brazil will, the least to say, be in the Top 10.
Janet: Watching her today there’s one thing I must point out: she must be more confident, see in herself what others have been seeing. Then she will be ready to go!

Cassandra: I like Miss Canada. I think she has an international look, she could be Latin, Middle Eastern, Italian…
Janet: Nice gown choice in the preliminaries. In my opinion she is a possibility for the Top 15.

Cassandra: Miss Cayman Islands is a beautiful woman, but looks older than most other girls.
Janet: She has that ‘Miss America contestant’ look, which usually does not work in Miss Universe.

Cassandra: China!
Janet: I love China’s elegant posture. She is very elegant and confident.
Cassandra: A bit too skinny in bathing suit, but who knows…

Janet: Colombia has the complete package!
Cassandra: I know, she saved her best for the time and it really mattered, and I think she could take it all.
Janet: I agree, she has a perfect body, a beautiful face, the right moves in the runway, and she shows that she wants it!
Cassandra: Colombia is living a good political moment too, so perhaps it’s the perfect time for Colombians to celebrate its 2nd title, exactly 50 years after its first, and so far, only one.

Janet: Costa Rica?
Cassandra: She is the typical pretty Latin girl who does not stand out. She has a face we’ve seen hundreds of times in this and in other international beauty pageants…

Janet: Croatia is so gorgeous, but also so dead…
Cassandra: I know! She simply did not work it in the Preliminary Event!

Janet: Isn’t Curaçao lovely, Cassandra?
Cassandra: I love her face, but she should have gone on a diet…
Janet: But she’s cute, I love her smile.

Cassandra: Miss Cyprus has the model type, I like her body language.
Janet: She is a great runway model. I wonder if the judges will like her as a ‘miss’…

Cassandra: Czech Republic, Janet…
Janet: I personally love this girl! She should be getting more attention, she is gorgeous and did quite well in the preliminaries.
Cassandra: I confess that she wasn’t on the top of my list when the Presentation Show happened, but re-watching the show on TV, I have came to realize that she can easily sneak into the Top 15.

Cassandra: I adore Miss Denmark!
Janet: I know! She is one of the very few Europeans with sparkle and confidence shining through her eyes.
Cassandra: Eye on her then!

Cassandra: Another girl we should not lose sight of is Miss Dominican Republic. She has a body to die for and a great personality.
Janet: Her face is very pretty too. Although her gown was more proper for a drag queen contest, she managed to wear it well.
Cassandra: Isn’t it what it’s all about? Kudos for her!
Janet: She will make it.

Cassandra: Miss Ecuador has a very interesting face, her eyebrows are amazing!
Janet: Eyebrows, Cassandra?
Cassandra: I am serious! Take a second look at this sexy Latina beauty!
Janet: I do agree she looks fab, a girl who would be a sho-in in Miss Earth or Miss Tourism Queen. I am not sure though if she will be good enough in such a strong Miss Universe group…

Cassandra: How about the controversial Miss Egypt??
Janet: Controversies apart, I don’t think this girl has it…
Cassandra: Regardless of how good Miss Egypt’s looks, I must say that, although I love Ines Ligron and admire her for the great work she’s been doing in Japan, she should watch her mouth and fingers! As a national director she should be more diplomatic and respectable to other contestants.
Cassandra: Yes, Ms. Ligron, leave the dirt to us! Right, Janet??
Janet: Absolutely, it's our job after all!!

Cassandra: And now we arrive at tiny-little-mini Miss El Salvador!!
Janet: She would be perfect for a 1960’s petit beauty contest!
Cassandra: Yes, she does have that 1960’s look, even the hair style!

Janet: Estonia is a girl with style.
Cassandra: And for this reason I wouldn’t count her out. In some ways she reminds me of the great Estonian girl who surprisingly made the cut in 2000 and then became everyone’s favorite.
Janet: But still, at this point she is a very long shot.

Cassandra: Then we have sexy Miss Finland!
Janet: She is one of those very few women who a few extra pounds make her look even sexier!
Cassandra: Yes, don’t we hate her for that, Janet??
Janet: We do! (both laugh) She is stunning though!

Cassandra: From chubby to skinny, next is Miss France!
Janet: As we said before she is a very elegant young woman. I like her.
Cassandra: Some believe she could be in Top 15, I’d say with a 15% chance, but yes, she could!

Janet: Georgia, a candidate who hasn’t been talked about at all, but who I get to like.
Cassandra: It’s such a strong group! Who said it was weak??
Janet: Ines…
Cassandra: Oh, right… (both laugh)
Janet: Honestly, last year’s group was lousy in my view. This is one is one of the best groups Miss Universe has been able to assemble in the last 10 years!

Cassandra: Germany’s face is to die for!
Janet: I’ve spoken to her, and she is very smart too.
Cassandra: A bit too short though, which might hurt her chances here.

Janet: Ghana is a bright young woman with a beautiful face.
Cassandra: Yes, but not one of the tallest, and way out of shape. I don’t think it will happen for her…

Janet: Greece, if not stunning as last year’s Greek goddess, she has something going for her.
Cassandra: Height, a pleasant personality and stage presence, that is. But if last year’s candidate was left in the ice, what will happen to this on?

Janet: Now on to the very cool Miss Guam!
Cassandra: Guam returns to Miss Universe with a cool and well groomed contestant. I like her, although I don’t think she will do it.

Janet: Guatemala, Cassandra.
Cassandra: Is Guatemala competing? Oh, right... Sorry, but she totally falls into Miss Costa Rica’s league - without the sashes, I couldn’t tell who is who…
Janet: Right - pretty, but common.

Cassandra: Honduras has a pretty face, but I though her gown did not help her.
Janet: Way too simple. Pretty girl, but another long, long shot…

Cassandra: Hey Missn Hungary, what’s up with stealing your niece’s shower curtain and wear it as a evening gown??
Janet: Oh Cassandra!!! Don’t be so mean!
Cassandra: I must be, Janet! That dress nearly blinded by sensitive eyes!!

Janet: Lovely India is next!
Cassandra: This is a gorgeous woman, who prevailed over another horrible gown.
Janet: I don’t think her gown wasn't that horrible. I have Miss India on the top of my list, I see her as... let's say, 2nd runner-up.
Cassandra: Let’s see how good your crystal ball is, Janet!

Janet: Miss Indonesia did well in her gown presentation.
Cassandra: Yes she did. But will it be enough for her?

Janet: How about Miss Ireland?
Cassandra: The queen of the runway! I absolutely love this girl and think she could surprise more than one tomorrow morning.
Janet: I agree, Cassandra. Pageant lovers naturally pay attention to girls with ‘sash power’ and occasionally miss on some great contenders from countries where beauty contests are not necessarily popular. Miss Ireland is a perfect example of that.

Cassandra: Miss Universe hasn’t had a truly stunning winner since Natalie Glebova, in 2005. I think Miss Israel is one of the totally stunning girls competing this year! She will make the cut if there’s justice in this pageant, and for some reason, I can picture the Miss Universe crown on her head.
Janet: I wouldn’t go that far, Cassandra, but I do think she is a strong possibility for a top 15 or even top 10 placement.

Cassandra: How about la bella Italia??
Janet: I see her as that ‘B’ student, do you know what I mean? Good, correct, but not outstanding.
Cassandra: Right, and with such a strong group of girls, if your are not outstanding, your chances are limited…

Janet: What about Miss Jamaica?
Cassandra: Wait, Janet, I'm on the phone... Something INCREDIBLE CAME UP!!

Janet: Hum, what could that be?? Well, we will take a break. Come back later to find out what what it is and for the second part of our review. Bye for now!

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