I know that everyone is talking about a 20-6-3-1 competition format for Miss Universe 2019. But I also received another information that it would be 20-10-5-3-1 instead.
The details I got from a reliable source is that the new format of the competition will have the first cut pegged at Top 20 (19 ladies with the highest preliminary scores plus one from the online voting) with the removal of the continental divide (Thank you!).
All twenty ladies will give their opening statements just like in Bangkok last year before a Top 10 filtration is made known. They will then go through the swimwear/sportswear and evening gown segments before the following cut is made to Top 5 where the Q&A round will take place.
Lastly, there will be a Top 3 for the Final Q&A and Final Look before the new Miss Universe is announced.
What are your thoughts about this likely new set-up, dear readers?
Personally, I am pleased with the continental groupings phased out because it just isn’t fair for the candidates, especially the region with a lot of strong contenders. The cuts to Top 10 and 5 are the most exciting for me because that will create suspense in the proceedings, especially if Host Steve Harvey announces the names oh-so-leisurely.
Ambush shot during the Miss Universe 2018 Technical Rehearsals
Your blogger with Designer Mak Tumang
Your blogger got to watch the Miss Universe 2018 Technical Rehearsals at Impact Arena and tomorrow morning’s Finals will be such an amazing experience, I tell you.
We were also fortunate to see the actual #LavaRed competition evening gown (by Mak Tumang, left photo) that Miss Philippines Catriona Gray will use and (without creating any spoilers), it will blow you away. You have to see it with your own eyes than rely solely on a leaked photo online.
Guest performer Ne-Yo also provided a very apt song number that will raise the temperature levels inside the Impact Arena even more, while Host Steve Harvey kept the audience in stitches with his funny ad-libs.
BTW, the mock Top 5 during the final rehearsals were Albania, Ghana, Russia, Sri Lanka and Barbados.
#MissUniverse2018
#CatrionaGray
As is traditional during technical rehearsals, a member of the production was “crowned” Miss Universe instead of one of the mock Final 3 (Sri Lanka, Ghana and Barbados)
According to my reliable sources in the Land of Smiles, the format for this year’s Miss Universe Finals will be a mix of all past editions.
First, there will be a Top 20 to be determined by Continents Plus. Five (5) will come from the delegates of Asia/Oceania+Africa. Another five (5) will come from the Americas (including the Caribbean). The next five (5) will come from Europe. And the remaining five (5) will be Wild Cards regardless of continents. All twenty will undergo a casual talk/speech with host Steve Harvey. This will determine the next cut – Top 10.
The Top 10 will go through both Swimsuit and Evening Gown Competitions. Their composite scores in the two segments will pave the way for the ladies with the five highest scores to advance.
The Top 5 will now have a Q&A – again with host Steve Harvey that will secure three (3) of them spots in the Final Round.
The Final 3 will have one (1) ultimate question to answer for the judges to decide on their rightful podium finishes.
Your thoughts, dear readers? I reckon that this format is tailor-made for good speakers among them, and that includes our Queen Cat. It will separate the beautiful ladies from the smart and beautiful contenders who can potentially be excellent brand Ambassadors for MUO and IMG.
In this news report by Asaree Thaitrakulpanich for Khaosod English last October 24, 2018, the hosting of Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand was in peril of not pushing through as the original financier – TW Investment – pulled out due to “misbehaviours” of some its shareholders. Read the entire report below:
BANGKOK — The fate of this year’s Miss Universe pageant, set for December in Bangkok, was briefly in doubt after its domestic financier was forced to pull out.
The US-based Miss Universe Organization revoked the rights granted to TW Investment, the Thai company in charge of making the pageant happen, due to shady practices the company has blamed on unethical shareholders. A replacement firm has since been found.
In a statement, TW Investment said it would no longer be involved due to misbehavior by unnamed company shareholders.
“We can’t say whether or not the pageant will be held here,” a company spokesman who answered the phone of President Thanawat Wansom said Wednesday. “But TW will not be the organizer.”
Questions about the pageant’s return to the kingdom after a 13-year absence were soon put to rest when another firm, TPN Group, was granted the rights to the pageant.
“We will organize the pageant, and we are the new sole holder of the license,” spokeswoman Nusra Poteteeralert said by phone. “The pageant will still be held. Nothing changes.”
In its letter, TW Investment suggested financial malfeasance and “unsavory behavior of some investors” was to blame for losing the potentially lucrative license.
“Some also did not forward the money from sponsors to pay for the distribution rights according to the regulations stipulated by the Miss Universe company,” it said.
The letter also accused the same insider as trying to hijack the job by making “secret negotiations” with Miss Universe to obtain sole distribution rights and take it away from TW.
Thailand has previously hosted Miss Universe in 1992 and 2005.
Earlier, a Press Conference was held in Bangkok with Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart in attendance plus representatives of the new financier – TPN Group – which was granted the rights to the pageant.
Here are important highlights for the schedule of Miss Universe 2018 which got shorter in competition period from December 2-18/19, as compared to the original start of the last week of November, 2018.
December 2 – Contestants’ arrival
December 3 – Welcome Dinner
December 4 – Welcome Parade
– Charity Events
December 5 – Thai Night
December 6 & 7 – Excursion Tour / Promotional Shoot (split venues for contestants)
December 11 – National Costume Parade
December 13 – PRELIMINARY COMPETITION (Swimsuit & Evening Gown Competitions)
December 16 – Red Carpet Event, Final Rehearsal
December 17, Monday 8am – MISS UNIVERSE 2018 FINALS
December 18 & 19 – Departures
Other Details:
1. Finale: December 17, Monday 8am Manila Time/7am Bangkok Time (Not Nov 16)
2. Host: Steve Harvey
3. Co-Host: Ashley Graham
4. Judges to be announced separately as per Paula Shugart
5. Dusit Hotel Thani Thailand will be the Official Residence of Miss Universe Organization and Delegates
Finally! The 66th Miss Universe will happen on November 26 as previously buzzed about. No, it won’t be in Arizona or California or New York. It’ll be back to Vegas, baby!
Miss Universe Philippines 2017 can now heave a sigh of relief. While Rachel Peters has been preparing herself for this moment, having a definite timeline in mind will definitely make her shake up things even more aggressively. Expect the level of noise to rise in the days and weeks to come.
Steve Harvey will be back as host with Planet Hollywood as venue of both the Preliminaries and the Finals.
Start making those bookings now. That is, if you want to watch LIVE in Las Vegas. 😀
Steve Harvey confesses on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
We all know by now that Steve Harvey will be back as host for the #65thMissUniverse in Manila next month. And just recently, he guested on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon where he promoted his book and dished out a confession that details how he took the bullet for the Miss Universe 2015 controversy which was not really his fault in the first place.
Watch the video now and share your thoughts afterwards, dear readers.
After a news bit came out that Kris Aquino did not get the green-light to co-host The 65th Miss Universe next month, the guessing game continues on who will be paired with Steve Harvey for the job. DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo has already shared that a Filipina co-host has been indeed selected, but could not be named just yet.
The name of Joey Mead surfaced before, but methinks it could be another personality. With Solar Entertainment Inc. as the official telecast partner of The 65th Miss Universe, it might help to gaze in the direction of CNN Philippines too.
Your guesses, dear readers?
Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach as photographed by my new junior photographer Joseph Gerard
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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According to my reliable sources in the Land of Smiles, the format for this year’s Miss Universe Finals will be a mix of all past editions.
In this news report by 
Here are important highlights for the schedule of Miss Universe 2018 which got shorter in competition period from December 2-18/19, as compared to the original start of the last week of November, 2018.
