The Philippines ended the 12-year semifinal streak since 2010.
Filipino pageant fans were surprised as the Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi unexpectedly ended her journey to the Miss Universe 2022 after failing to enter the Top 16.
Prior to the coronation night, Cortesi was picked Missosology and Sash Factor as one of the frontrunners of the pageant.
From 83 countries, only 16 candidates were selected to continue their journey toward the most-coveted crown in the universe.
Among the delegates were Miss India, Filipino-speaking Miss Spain, and the powerhouses - Miss Puerto Rico and Miss South Africa.
The 16 semi-finalists are the following:
- Ashley Cariño (Puerto Rico)
- Mideline Phelizor (Haiti)
- Monique Riley (Australia)
- Andreína Martínez (Dominican Republic)
- Payengxa Lor (Laos)
- Ndavi Nokeri (South Africa)
- Telma Madeira (Portugal)
- Amelia Tu (Canada)
- Alessia Rovegno (Peru)
- Tya Jané Ramey (Trinidad & Tobago)
- Gabriëla Dos Santos (Curacao)
- Divita Rai (India)
- Amanda Dudamel (Venezuela)
- Alicia Faubel (Spain)
- R'Bonney Gabriel (USA)
- María Fernanda Aristizábal (Colombia)
The selection committee for the coronation night consists of Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, American rapper and performer Big Freedia, American model and co-founder of Vyral Media PR Mara Martin, Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, American actress and sports journalist Emily Austin, Filipino-Chinese CEO and founder of O Skin Med Spa Olivia, American television and radio host Myrka Dellanos and – Indian author, member of the Forbes council and founder of Healveda Sweta Patel.
Meanwhile, Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and Puerto Rican chief marketing officer of ImpactWayv Kathleen Ventrella served as judges at the preliminary competition.
The 71st edition of Miss Universe was held in New Orleans, Louisiana.
