"I love you and I want everybody to scream for me!" is Mia's message to Guyanese as she pursues the coveted crown, by itself worth US$200,000.

Speaking from her room at the San Juan Intercontinental Hotel in Puerto Rico, Mia told the Chronicle she is not nervous at all and is having much fun.

"It's either you get into the top ten or you don't", the local girl wised up.

The Miss Universe presentation show took place last Friday at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The 75 contestants paraded in swimsuits and gowns in front of the preliminary panel of judges and interviews were done on Saturday and Sunday. Mia did hers on Saturday morning.

She said she had the judges laughing throughout the interview session. When they asked her what was the best thing about Guyana, she answered, "our beautiful and hospitable people". She was also asked questions about music, business and what she would like to do to improve herself.

The top 10 scorers in the preliminary competitions will be announced during the final CBS telecast tonight, to be broadcast live in Guyana on RBS Channel 13, VCT Channel 28 and WRHM Channel 7 from 21:00 hrs.

Mia will be appearing on stage tonight in the same evening gown she wore last Friday night, and said despite criticisms from two members of the Miss Guyana/Universe Pageant Committee - Public Relations Officer, Steve Ninvalle and Fitness Trainer Regina Spencer - she just loves the dress.

However, the judges are not asked to score on "the gown", but rather how the contestant carries it, she explained.

Spencer has also criticised Mia's choice of hairstyle, but the delegate couldn't care. Why? She said the two people she trusts most - her mother, Sultana, and Omarosa, her Washington D.C. trainer, who also trained Miss USA, advised her on what style to wear her hair.

"Besides, I have 12 minutes to change one outfit to the next, where do I get the time to do this fancy hairstyle? And further, Omarosa told me to let the hair flow. The Miss Universe loves hair," Mia said.

As she can do nothing until tonight when the top ten is announced, Mia told the Chronicle she is having "a ball of a time".

She is enjoying a sizeable home crowd support in Puerto Rico with more than 25 of her relatives and friends, including her dad Ray Rahaman, uncle Jad Rahaman, Beverly Harper and Denise Dias.

"When I saw them, I just got so much energy", Mia said, excitement evident in her voice.

Mia said when she appeared on stage Friday night, the place was uproarious with cheers. She said her sister, Farah, walks around San Juan with a towel of the Guyana flag wrapped around her!

About her experience in Puerto Rico, Mia said she has learnt discipline and calls it a "glorified prison".

"If you are anything like me and like your freedom, then you would find this confining", she said.

In Puerto Rico with Mia also are the runners-up in the Miss Guyana/Universe Pageant, minus second runner-up Juanita Collins, who could not make it.

Those in the Miss Universe host city are first runner-up Petal DeSantos, third runner-up Shammane Joseph, fourth runner-up Asha Pieters and contestant Olivia Brown.

For tonight's competition, the star-studded panel of judges will comprise R&B singer and Guess model, Tyrese; Fashion Designer, Nicole Miller; Men's Fashion Designer, Amir; CBS Family Law's Christopher McDonald; former Baywatch beauty and Sheena star, Gena Lee Nolin; Chinese entrepreneur, Yue-Sai Kan; NFL's offensive MVP, Marshall Faulk; Marisol Malaret, Miss Universe 1970; and Survivor Africa winner Ethan Zohn.

Multi-Platinum, Grammy Award winning Latin superstar, Marc Anthony will perform live during the two-hour international telecast, which will be hosted by actress and model Daisy Fuentes and former NFL legend Phil Simms.

At the conclusion of the two-hour prime time telecast, Denise Quinones, Miss Universe 2001, will crown her successor before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of 600 million in more than 176 countries and territories.

Meantime, the Palm Court Restaurant and Bar in Georgetown, touting Mia as "Guyana's Pride and Beauty" presents a "Family Affair" tonight at which it will show the Miss Universe Pageant on big screen TV.

Best wishes Mia!