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Young women from 84 countries were set to vie for the Miss Universe crown Sunday, hoping to take the global glamor title now held by Dayana Mendoza.
The Venezuelan has just a few more hours left in her reign, with the 58th annual pageant set to get under way at 9:00 pm local time (0100 GMT).
On the Miss Universe website, where visitors can participate in an online vote for their favorite, Indonesia's Zivanna Letisha Siregar was in first place, followed by competitors from Brazil, Thailand, Guatemala and Ecuador.
But the official decision will be made at the Atlantis Resort by 12-person judging panel that includes Andre Leon Talley, the editor-at-large for American Vogue, actor Dean Cain and supermodel Valeria Mazza.
Thursday, contestants rode through the streets of New Providence in a motorcade, watched by Bahamians, residents, tourists and the local and international media.
"I thought I lived in the best country in the world, but this is pretty... close," Miss Australia Rachael Finch said.
Miss Zambia Andella Chileshe Matthews said "I'm definitely enjoying myself. It's my first time (in The Bahamas) but it won't be my last."
The main event Sunday will be hosted by Celebrity Apprentice star Claudia Jordan and Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush, and will includes performances by rapper Flo Rida, singers David Guetta and Kelly Rowland and reality star Heidi Montag.
For the past two weeks, the women have been touring the various islands and participating in preliminary legs of the competition including the swimsuit presentation in Grand Bahama, a costume presentation, a fashion showcase featuring local designs and fabrics and a state auction dinner in New Providence.
Miss Panama, Diana Broce, already won the prize for best national costume.
The contestants have also toured other Bahamian islands, including Grand Bahama, Bimini, Exuma, Eleuthera and Abaco, visiting landmarks and posing for photographs.
As Hurricane Bill neared earlier this week, several contestants expressed worries about their safety and the prospects for the competition, but the storm's path passed far away from the islands.
Live viewing parties have been set up across the Bahamas islands for Bahamians to catch a glimpse of their own contestant, Kiara Sherman, and of the footage of their country, a sprawling Atlantic archipelago.
The 12 judges will winnow the pool of competitors, finally announcing their pick, who will be crowned by outgoing Mendoza.
The winner will spend a year holding the title, traveling to events and fundraisers and promoting products and charity work.
