Miss USA has officially been awarded the title of Miss Universe, but in the tense final moments of the competition, five contestants remained. Olivia Culpo (USA), Renae Ayris (Australia), Janine Tugonon (Philippines), Irene Quintero (Venezuela), and Gabriella Markus (Brazil) eagerly waited on stage as their names were called out, one-by-one. While no single source predicted the entire roster of the final five to a T, some came remarkably close.
The International Business Times correctly pegged Miss Philippines, Miss Australia, and Miss USA as finalists for the competition. Meanwhile, Missology correctly predicted that Miss Philippines, Miss Venezuela, and Miss USA would make the cut. Lastly, Rappler speculated that Miss Venezuela and Miss Philippines would become finalists.
1. Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, was raised in Cranston, Rhode Island. Now Miss Universe 2012, Olivia is a cello player with ambitions in film and television. "Everyone is exactly as they should be on the outside and it is your inner contentment, good spirits, grace and openness to others that makes you truly beautiful," says Culpo.
2. Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon, was raised in Orion of the Bataan Province. The second-runner up for the Miss Universe title wants to become a social entrepreneur. "Our compassion for the world should start within," says Tugonon.
3. Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, hails from her hometown of Sucre. The fourth-runner up hopes to become an actress and "enjoys reading and surfing," according to her official Miss Universe profile. "I think every mistake is a step you take on the road to happiness, because they teach you what is important. I tend to look forward more than back," says Quintero.
4. Miss Australia, Renae Ayris, was raised in Perth, Western Australia. The third-runner up worked as a model in her home country as well as Germany. "I am an honest, down to earth person. I take everything at face value and try not to judge. From the beginning of this Miss Universe journey I have continued to be true to myself," says Ayris.
5. Miss Brazil, Gabriela Markus, was raised in Teutonia and now attends the University of State of Rio Grande do Sul for Food Engineering. The fifth-runner up states, "I keep this quote in my mind and consider it my motto: 'Believe in yourself and fly. When we believe in our goals and dreams, we must trust in ourselves."
Winner: Olivia Culpo
2nd Place: Janine Tugonon
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