Sushmita Sen Signs Up as Miss Universe 2017 Judge; Experts, Former Beauty Pageant Queens Share Their Personal Bets

It has been confirmed that Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen has been tapped as one of the judges in the prestigious pageant this year. India.com reported the 41 year-old model-actress noted that Sen expressed her excitement to be in the judging panel of the 65th edition of the pageant, which was held in the same country where she won the crown for her home country, India.

Sen said in a statement, “Getting ready with a dancing heart! I am so excited, emotional and looking forward to returning home to the #Philippines after #23years. It’s where it all began #manila1994 #missuniverse1994,”

Sen, on the other hand, has not made any comments regarding the chances of her country’s representative, or her personal bets, for this year’s pageant. Gulf News said Roshmitha Harimurthy will be representing India at the Miss Universe pageant, with the coronation night on January 30.

“Life comes a full circle, from winning Miss Universe, to having owned its Indian Franchise to now returning back to #Manila this time as a judge at the 65th Miss Universe pageant!! To all my #filipino friends who have been graciously asking. I can now confirm. Yes! I am coming! Mahal Kita Philippines see you sooooooon,” she added, ending her statement with an “I love you” in Tagalog, the Philippines’ native language.

In the meantime, several beauty pageant experts have already shared their personal bets

For example, beauty pageant forum Missosology.org believes the following candidates in the running for the prestigious crown are Miss Philippines Maxine Medina, Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar, Miss Thailand Chalita Suansane, Miss Venezuela Mariam Habach, and Miss Brazil Raissa Santana. Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova based her assessment on the recent swimsuit competition and noticed several candidates from the Southeast Asian candidates are given the heavily-favored candidates from Latin America countries a run for their money.