AND THEN THERE WERE 9: Top Miss Universe Contestants Selected

Here are your Miss Universe 2017 – Top 9 Contestants!

It’s been quite a night for the 2016-1017 Miss Universe Pageant. At-home viewers can vote for their favorite contestants to move forward in the competition this year. The contestants were fresh off strutting around the stage in their swimsuits and took on being judged on their bodies as well as confidence. The girls were able to pick their own swimsuits this year and the top 9 semi-finalists were announced following their on-stage strut. Check out the contestants moving on. h/t heavy

Miss USA
Miss USA was the first contestant announced as moving forward in the competition. She is a captain in the US Army Reserves. Both of her parents both served proudly and inspired her to do the same. When Barber won Miss USA, her mother was actually on hospice and three months later, she passed away.

Miss Thailand
Miss Thailand was next up as an announced contestant. Growing up, she spent a great deal of time working hard and she aims to help the poor with her platform.

Miss France
Miss France currently studies dentistry. However, she also loves to cook and believe Paris to be the city of love. She is excited to be in the running for Miss Universe.

Miss Mexico
Miss Mexico says she loves everything about her country, it’s culture and the people. She says that her family is the most important to her and they have always been there for her. She said that three years ago, she tried to win a pageant and lost, but she returned and won.

Miss Kenya
Miss Kenya said she’s honored to represent her country and she hopes to deliver a message of believing in one’s own beauty. She says you shouldn’t be defined by material things or what you wear. She says women need to know that there are no limitations in life.

Miss Colombia
Miss Colombia was announced as moving forward and she says she loves to dance, have fun, and play. She is passionate about life and helping children. She also pushes the importance of education.

Miss Canada
She is studying law. In 2009, her family lost everything they had in a house fire and she ended up helping out the Red Cross. She has traveled a lot to help others and enjoys achieving her greatest dreams. She realized with her family’s fire that material things are not what are important.

Miss Haiti
Miss Haiti said her grandmother went blind a few years ago and that it runs in her family. She has gotten a degree in optometry and she is researching regeneration of the optic nerve to help find a cure for blindness. She says that Haitian women are very determined and work hard to accomplish their goals.

Miss Philippines
She says that when she started this journey, she was very simple and she didn’t have much space, living with her grandmother. So, she decided to pursue interior design because she was interested in creating space. She is confident that she can be Miss Universe.