Catriona Gray

Reigning Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray of the Philippines is expected to crown her successor before 2020. So far, 78 candidates have been confirmed to join Miss Universe 2019 including candidates from Bangladesh and Equatorial Guinea, which will be represented for the first rime.

The venue and date of the coronation night have yet to be confirmed. Steve Harvey is returning to host the international beauty pageant for the fifth consecutive year.

Miss Universe 2019 will wear a crown made by luxury jeweler Mouawad. Here are my 13 early favorites among the candidates who have a public Instagram account:

13. Cheslie Kryst, 28, United States

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I lost every single state pageant I entered… until I won Miss North Carolina USA and went on to win the 2019 Miss USA Competition. I became one of three women of color to win three highly sought after national titles at the same time. God’s timing is better than mine. #BET #BlackCoffeeLive #MissUSA #MissTeenUSA #MissAmerica

A post shared by Cheslie Kryst, JD, MBA (@chesliekryst) on Jul 21, 2019 at 7:15pm PDT

12. Birta Abiba Þórhallsdóttir, 19, Iceland

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Such a wonderfull day with the @missuniverseiceland girls. Thank you @byunnurgudmunds for the most amazing makeup and @harvorur.is making my hair look bomb 😍 Finally thank you @north_pole_studio and @k.e.v.i.n_p.a.g.e.s for such a grate photoshoot and being so amazing💖✨. #missuniverseiceland #roadtomissuniverse #roadtomissuniverseiceland #missuniverse #missuniverse2019

A post shared by Birdie (@birta.abiba) on May 26, 2019 at 4:10pm PDT

11. Rosie Xin Zhu, 25, China

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The great wall, it is an ancient Chinese military defense project. Great Wall resources are mainly distributed in hebei, Beijing, tianjin, shanxi, gansu, heilongjiang, jilin, liaoning, shandong, henan, qinghai, ningxia, xinjiang and other 15 provinces, regions and cities. The total length is more than 21,000 kilometers. Do you like it?❤️😍#greatwall #missuniverse #missuniverse2019 #misschina2019 #misschina #chinaambassador #寻找中国美 #missuniverse2019 #missuniversechina #amazing #bestoftheday #传播中国美#xinzhustyle #xinzhu

A post shared by Zhu Xin (Rosie) (@xinn_zhu) on Sep 22, 2019 at 10:48pm PDT

10. Gazini Ganados, 23, Philippines

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Extremely blessed to have worked with Smile Train Philippines @smiletrainph and give love and happiness on World Smile Day! We interacted with the kids with cleft lip and cleft palate and realized that they should have the amazing ability to confidently smile as there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a happy and smiling child. We can help them give the smile that they truly deserve. To donate, contact 0917 52 TRAIN (09175287246) or email philippines@smiletrain.org. You can also visit www.smiletrain.ph for more details! Together, we change the world one smile at a time ❤️ 📸 @ryanaguasphotography @gembzee @goldjacekelly @mlaspinasph @tyronbeckford Thankyou so much. #missuniversephilippines2019 #smiletrain #givesmiles

A post shared by Gazini C. J. Ganados (@gazinii) on Oct 5, 2019 at 6:01am PDT

9. Paweensuda Drouin, 25, Thailand

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What’s the name of this song? It’s catchy! 😆❤️ @firstwang Behind the scenes at #MissVirtualMalaysia2019 coronation night

A post shared by Fahsai Paweensuda Drouin (@paweensuda) on Sep 27, 2019 at 11:14pm PDT

8. Gabriela Tafur Nader, 22, Ecuador

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Mas que lista. Esta mujer es un ESPECTÁCULO, estamos a pocos meses de Miss Universe y @gabrielatafur simplemente nos demuestra que no va a jugar, ella va dispuesta a todo para lograr conquistar la codiciada corona de Miss Universe.💋 Ahora si. ¿Donde estan los que tanto la criticaban? @gabrielatafur aplaudo tu reinado de pie, has sido una mujer que no necesita dar explicaciones a nadie, simplemente tus acciones han hablado por si solas y nos has demostrado que eres una mujer digna de portar la corona nacional, hoy nos demuestras que tienes mas que merecido llamarte COLOMBIA.👸 TE AMAMOS💛💙❤

A post shared by Mas Que Reina.💋 (@masquereina) on Oct 9, 2019 at 6:45pm PDT

7. Madison Anderson, 24, Puerto Rico

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Gracias @dannylugo_choreographer y su equipo @mercy_merss @makeupbyarnaldo @juanliberty @yadielcarrasco @rafy_villegaspr Me encantó, gracias por sacar la música que lleva esta #Boricua por dentro. I can’t wait for the next salsa class #serboricuasellevaenlasangre @missuniverse @muniversepr

A post shared by Madis🦋n (@madisonandersonberrios) on Oct 5, 2019 at 1:13pm PDT

6. Dayana Davtyan, 20, Armenia

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#AraratChallenge The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative has announced the #AraratChallenge, a new crowdfunding campaign aimed at supporting those in urgent need of basic humanitarian aid around the world. 🌄🌱 Be kind and join us❤️ @auroraprize #missuniversearmenia2019 #missuniverse2019 @missuniversearmenia #missarmenia2019

A post shared by Dayana Davtyan 👑 (@missdayana98) on Sep 20, 2019 at 2:01pm PDT

5. Julia Horta, 25, Brazil

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Fala se eu não sou muito abençoada?! Minha equipe me mata de orgulho 😍 @maxwellcosta é um videomaker sensaaaacional, que me ajudou a garantir a vitória no desafio Be Emotion durante o Miss Brasil, fez meu vídeo de apresentação pro concurso e continua me presenteando com o seu trabalho impecável! Esperamos que vocês gostem de ver um pouquinho dos bastidores desse ensaio 🧡✨ Ps: em breve tem mais vídeo do Max por aqui! 😍 Ahhh, e acho que quem nasce Max já vem com o sobrenome artista né? Porque não é possível hahaha Vídeo: @maxwellcosta Fotógrafo: @maxcarvalho_ Beleza: @gouveiamakeup @beautymaryanacotta Produção: @nathaliafernandes_assessoria Vestidos: @amigadoreioficial #torcidajúliahorta #missbrasilbeemotion2019 #roadtomissuniverse2019 #missuniverse2019

A post shared by JÚLIA HORTA (@juliahorta) on Sep 26, 2019 at 3:20pm PDT

4. Sofia Aragon, 25, Mexico

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Quedan solo 3 meses de esta década …. arriésgate ya por eso que tanto quieres, que el tiempo no regresa ♥️✨ . . . 💇🏻‍♀️ @alexismayhair @emmatoledodelarosa @robertoverinooficial

A post shared by Sofía Aragón (@sofaragon) on Oct 5, 2019 at 8:33am PDT

3. Barbora Hodačová, 23, Czech Republic

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Thank you so much @photo_petraodrazilova 🦋 Make-up: @silvie.siegr_muah_stylist Hair: @_kubaandrys_

A post shared by Barbora Hodačová (@baruhodacova) on Aug 29, 2019 at 1:11am PDT

2. Mehr Eliezer, 22, Panama

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Yo me llamo MEHR ELIEZER soy PANAMÁ… para el UNIVERSO ♥️ H&M: @gregorystyle Accesories: @chasspanama Crown: @gwittels Dress: @johnyleonpty Fashion styling: @stilocrista.

A post shared by Mehr Eliezer (@mehr.eliezer) on Oct 10, 2019 at 8:34am PDT

1. Maëva Coucke, 25, France

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Wonderland after dark party tonight. 🦇🌪 Hair and Make up by the best @cerfwillmakeuphair 🖤 #hair #hairstyle #makeup #look #love #nyx #nyxcosmetics

A post shared by Maëva Coucke (@maevacouckeoff) on Oct 3, 2019 at 11:31am PDT