You might watch Miss Universe for the beautiful pageantry of it, the tricky question and answer segments, the inventive costumes, or the sexy swimsuit competition, or to see if Steve Harvey is due for another flub as host.
The 67th Miss Universe competition is coming up on December 17 at 7:00 a.m. local time in Bangkok, Thailand (that’s 7:00 p.m. if you’re on the US east coast), at the Impact, Muang Thong Thani. A record breaking 94 contestants will sashay across the stage to compete for the glittered crown. If dozens of the most beautiful women in the world are not enough reason to watch, you can still watch to cheer on the favorites or the underdogs.
Bodog has released their odds, and it’s two lovely ladies who are currently the front runners. Miss Philippines, Catriona Gray, and Miss Puerto Rico, Kiara Ortega, are currently running at 5/1 odds.
The pressure is firmly on Gray, as the Philippines always expect a top performance from their beauty queen. The most recent winner from that country was Pia Wurtzbach, who memorably won despite Miss Columbia being announced the winner erroneously. Last year, Philippine contestant Rachel Peters could not make it past the top 10, so Gray will be hoping to reverse those fortunes. She has the track record to show she’s capable too, as she placed in the top 5 of Miss World 2016. She’ll be looking to win the crown for the fourth time for her country, and has already dazzled onlookers with her national costume.
Ortega from Puerto Rico, at the same odds, is hoping to win for Puerto Rico for the first time since 2006, when Zuleya Mendoza took the crown. She doesn’t have the same history of success as Miss Philippines however, as this her first year competing on a world stage. Her odds might have been better; however, she’s already stumbled during a preliminary costume competition.
If you’re interested in some of the other favorites, Bodog has Miss Thailand and Miss USA at 8/1 and Miss Spain and Miss Venezuela at 10/1.
If you’re feeling really wild, why not back one of the new comers. Armenia will have a competitor for the first time ever this year, Eliza Muradyan, who’s currently at 100/1 odds.
