Miss Universe 2022 Top 16 Final Hot Picks

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Celeste Cortesi Miss Universe Philippines 2022

Celeste Cortesi, full name: Silvia Celeste Rabimbi Cortesi, is of Italian-Filipino descent. Celeste was born in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines on 15th December 2022. Her father is Italian while her mother Maria Luisa Rabimbi is from Philippines and is of Filipino, Spanish and Chinese descent. Celeste fluently speaks Italian, Filipino and English. The stunning Filipina beauty was raised in Parma, Italy. Ever since her arrival in New Orleans, Celeste has shown how strong she is as a delegate as well as a strong opinionated woman wishing to make a change. Celeste Cortesi embarked on a transformational journey of self-discovery that led to more than just discovering her roots, it gained her the love of an entire nation and a purpose beyond herself. Cortesi works with Save the Children Philippines focused especially on curbing hunger and the malnutrition crisis. The organization provides resources to the most vulnerable children to ensure they grow up healthy. It is a cause that is close to her heart, as it reminds her of her mother’s struggles in raising her and her siblings. She also supports MindNation, a mental health and well-being organization, that provides talks, training, and therapy to those that need it.

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Maria Fernanda Aristizabal Miss Universe Colombia 2022

Maria holds a degree in social communication from Luis Amigó Catholic University of Medellin. Aristizabal has a beautiful way of looking at the world. She is a motivational speaker, model, and influencer with a degree in media and journalism. Through her campaign #MakeEveryMomentWorthIt, she shares her philosophy of life via supporting vulnerable communities in Colombia. She is especially passionate about generating a positive impact in children’s mental health. Aristizabal works with various nonprofit organizations, including Smile Train and Best Buddies. Aristizabal wishes to use her Miss Universe platform to give visibility and awareness to water scarcity through her campaign #SOSWATER. She has given strong performances since she has arrived in New Orleans.

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Gabriela Dos Santos Miss Universe Curacao 2022

Gabriela Dos Santos is a dedicated advocate for women empowerment and wishes for more women to realize that helping another woman win, cheering her on, praying for her or sharing a recourse with her does not take away from the blessings coming to them. She is an excellent orator, has impressive communication skills and definitely a stunning beauty, the best recipe to create a Miss Universe winner. She is a certified life coach who speaks four languages; English, Spanish, Dutch, and Papiamentu. In 2019, she founded Light4change, an organization whose aim is to enable young people to find purpose in adversity and embrace who they are with full authenticity. She is a stunning talented beauty capable of winning the first crown for her country.

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Andreina Martinez Founier Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2022

Andreina Martinez is a Dominican American psychologist and a model who hails from Santiago de los Caballeros and New York. Fluent in Spanish and English, Andreina has excellent oratory skills which will be advantageous for her at the international competition. The diva attended Bronx Bridges High School in Bronx, New York until 2015. 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. Andreína Martínez draws courage and inspiration from her unique Dominican and U.S dual-citizenship and migrating story. Her struggle as an immigrant sparked a fire in her to protect systematically marginalized communities. She currently works at The Women’s Equality Center, a nonprofit organization directed solely by women that resiliently guards the rights of women in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic beauty has given exceedingly well performances ever since her arrival at Miss Universe 2022.

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Irma Miranda Miss Universe Mexico 2022

Irma Miranda is a Mexican model, presenter and beauty queen. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and finance at Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora in Ciudad Obregon. Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, Irma holds various titles under belt. Irma works with a nonprofit called La Comuna and collaborates with the National Institute of Migration in Mexico. She wants to create consciousness around humanity, empathy, and respect to others wherein human rights must be upheld regardless of religion, nationality, race, or economic status. Irma was a standout delegate at the preliminary competition of Miss Universe 2022.

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Alessia Rovegno Miss Universe Peru 2022

Born in Lima, Alessia is 24 years of age and stands 180 cm tall. She comes from an accomplished family as well; her father is Luis Rovegno who is a the baker and her mother is actress Bárbara Cayo who are both of Italian descent. She is also the niece of actors Fiorella Cayo, Stephanie Cayo, and Mario "Macs" Cayo. Alessia studied at Markham College. Just at the age of 19, she began haute couture modeling and making her own way to the top, she later participated in the New York Fashion Week. She is part of many nonprofit organizations including Bridges, Help Perú, and Estee Lauder’s Breast Cancer Campaign. Rovegno is a proud entrepreneur and co-owner of her family’s bakery. She has made it her mission to lead by example, and to inspire and uplift others to conquer their own doubts. Alessia has emerged as one of the strong contestants for Miss Universe 2022 crown.

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Ashley Carino Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022

Ashley is the second Afro-Puerto Rican to win the title. Born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico to parents José Cariño and Olga Barreto, Ashley moved with her family to Kissimmee, Florida when she was five years old. Cariño attended the Professional and Technical High School in Kissimmee where she received certification to work as a psychosocial rehabilitator, specializing in working with children with cognitive diversity. Ashley was inspired to do so after overcoming ADHD in her childhood. She has been working with children and adolescents with mental health diagnoses or who are cognitively diverse to harness their curiosity and creativity through STEM initiatives. Ashley was a sight to behold at the preliminary competition.

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Monique Riley Miss Universe Australia 2022

Monique Riley is 27 years of age and a model and an actress. She works as an executive assistant with a degree in creative industries from the Queensland University of Technology. She is originally from Queensland. Riley is an advocate for self-defense, which she believes plays a crucial role in empowering women. After a terrifying personal encounter where Riley’s self-defense skills proved necessary, she vowed to educate and train other young women in the craft. She now works closely with an experienced coach to run boxing clases specifically for women. Riley has a Bachelor's in Creative Industries degree with a focus in Fashion and Acting. Monique has shown tremendous potential to win the crown.

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Ndavi Nokeri Miss Universe South Africa 2022

Ndavi Nokeri is a 23-year-old beauty queen from Tzaneen. She comes from a devoutly Christian family and received her upbringing in one. Both of her parents hold the position of pastor. She is the family’s youngest child and is also fluent in Xitsonga and Sepedi in addition to English and Afrikaans. In 2021, earned her bachelor’s degree in investment management. Nokeri is passionate about advocating for equal educational opportunities for all and is devoting her reign to increasing this awareness. She believes that pageants give women the platform to advocate for a cause they believe in and lists her role models as Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi, former Miss World Rolene Strauss, and her own mother, Betty Nokeri. Ndavi has emerged as a strong contender for the Miss Universe 2022 crown.

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Anna Sueangam iam Miss Universe Thailand 2022

Anna Sueangam-iam was born and raised in a slum in Bangkok with her father. In an effort to protect her from an unsafe environment, her family sent her to a temple where she grew up among Buddhist nuns. Her lifestory is just like her – inspirational. Sueangam-iam would like to represent all the children from less privileged backgrounds and amplify their voices. She uses her bigger voice to collaborate with many nonprofit organizations in order to provide children with access to educational systems. She has conducted the “Do it, Earn it” campaign, supports the project No Mixed Waste, participates in a Saturday school project, and works with Smile Train Thailand.

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Ngoc Chau Miss Universe Vietnam 2022

Ngoc Chau is an ambassador with the Children of Vietnam Charitable Fund which supports children with congenital malformation and diseases in Vietnam. Born in 1994 in Tay Ninh, Ngoc Chau stands 174 cm tall. She has studied biotechnology, a true beauty with brains indeed. Not new to the modelling or the pageant world, Ngoc Chau participated in Vietnam’s Next Top Model in the year 2016 where she marked her success by winning the show. In 2019, she was awarded Miss Supranational Vietnam 2019 crown and went on to represent Vietnam at Miss Supranational 2019. With her stellar performance, she won the Miss Supranational Asia 2019 title and placed in Top 10. With her experience, her beauty and talent, Ngoc will be a strong contender for the crown.

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Amanda Dudamel Miss Universe Venezuela 2022

Amanda Dudamel is a successful fashion designer who received her degree from Rome’s European Institute of Design and also specialized in fashion sustainability at the London College of Fashion. As a young fashion businesswoman, she wants to convey her message of mindfulness about eco-friendly industry practices and corporate social responsibility through her own label “Amanda Dudamel." She also works as the chief executive officer of Made in Petare, an accessories brand that employs local artisan women living in the urban population of Petare. This company benefits the Un Par Por Un Sueño foundation which provides clothing, food, and medical aid for more than 800 children. Her work focuses on creating an impact for women’s right to work and as Miss Universe Venezuela, her workshop “Press Play on Success” has brought communities together through job creation and imaginative education. Her project Voices Across the Universe, has opened a dialogue with her fellow Miss Universe sisters making it a great success among contestants and fans alike. Venezuela has a strong delegation at Miss Universe 2022.

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Divita Rai Miss Universe India 2022

Divita was born in Mangalore, but she stayed in different parts of the country throughout her life as her father's profession involved traveling across the country. Apart from being a model, Divita is also an architect by profession. A firm believer in the power of education and inspired by her father’s struggles to educate himself, she hopes to use her work and platform to make education more accessible to children, especially girls. By partnering with India’s top NGOs like CRY, Nanhi Kali, and Teach for India, she hopes to empower children with the freedom of choice. Divita also preaches a healthy and positive mindset along with healthy lifestyle. She could be making a back-to-back win for her country at Miss Universe 2022.

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Toshami Calvin Miss Universe Jamaica 2022

Toshami holds an associate degree and a master’s degree in health studies from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Being a Miss Universe also means to be an advocate for humanitarian causes to bring a change in the world. Toshami works as a registered behavioral technician providing therapy for children on the autism spectrum, a cause close to her heart. With her strong advocacy, her sincerity and hard work, Calvin will surely be a strong contender this year. She has an effortless look and ofcourse the support of the whole Jamaica behind her. A Jamaican model and an advocate for children. Jamaica is yet to pioneer its win at Miss Universe.

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Kiara Arends Miss Universe Aruba 2022

Kiara Arends has a Bachelor of Laws degree with minors in Business and Tax Laws and has worked as an intern at a renowned corporate law firm in Aruba. Arends moved to Belgium at the age of 22 to pursue her Masters of Laws degree, specializing in International Business Trade and Tax law. She is an active supporter of social justice, especially amongst mothers and young women. During the pandemic in 2020, she founded her organization “BUMP,” which helps equip young mothers with sustainable resources. Arends firmly believes in the butterfly effect; “one small action can create a chain reaction.” She is another strong contender for the Miss Universe 2022 crown.

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Floriane Bascou Miss Universe France 2022

Floriane Bascou hails from Le Lamentin, a city in the French overseas department and region of Martinique. She is a graduate of a scientific baccalaureate specializing in life and earth sciences. Floriane is currently pursuing studies in preparatory health with a law option and aims of becoming an orthodontist in the future. She has many noble causes at heart. A committed activist, Floriane is an official representative for the nonprofit French Cancer Society. She believes in the importance of helping and encouraging others. Floriane has shown how strong she is with stellar performance at Miss Universe 2022 Preliminaries.