The 2017 Miss Universe contest brought some strong contenders this year.
We had the people's favourite Miss Jamaica, who wore her fro on stage much to everyone's delight. Miss Thailand was another top pick, and as a half-Thai and half-Swedish contestant, she proudly represented the mixed heritage queens we're likely to see more of in the future. And taking the crown this year was Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, who earlier this year was
held at gunpoint during a carjacking.
But another contender who came to attract everyone's interest was Miss Ireland, a 23-year-old fluent in Gaelic whose name is Cailín Áine Ní Toibín. She made it to the top 16 along with three fellow European contestants as well as Miss Jamaica, Thailand, and South Africa.
But the moment Steve Harvey (yes, he was still asked back to host the contest after his 2015 winner announcement blunder) announced Miss Ireland's name and saw her face up close for a longer time, people immediately saw her stark similarities to none other than American actress
Reese Witherspoon.
[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb710oEj9uz/?taken-by=cailin.tobin]]
Despite their near 20-year-old age gap, with Reese aged 41, you've got to admit they look frighteningly alike. They've both got the signature blonde locks (a la Legally Blonde) styled in a side part and loosely falling over the shoulders.
[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BY3WqNVD73J/?taken-by=cailin.tobin]]
And they also share the same heart-shaped face with pointed chin and prominent jawline, a similar teeth-flashing smile and I
swear even their teeth are shaped the same.
Admit it, they DO look alike.
Here's Cailín Áine:
[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BbfqBL_D9jc/?taken-by=cailin.tobin]]
And Reese:
[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbu3k8cjbwW/?taken-by=reesewitherspoon]]
Again, Cailín Áine:
[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BbRKL5bDELg/?taken-by=cailin.tobin]]
And Reese:
[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba9YRDrhP6-/?taken-by=reesewitherspoon]]
That's a solid
doppelgänger, right? Twitter certainly thought so.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/RozieCaparas/status/934948586588069888]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/NicoleStankov/status/934948869846257664]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/lyssakennedyy/status/934976280671514624]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/mr_stickfigure/status/934952097417592832]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jcontad/status/934949291323527168]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jcontad/status/934960559732285440]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ilovedinoman/status/934948927530352642]]
Beneath the surface, Cailín Áine is a strong advocator for mental health awareness. She says she's suffered from extreme anxiety and panic attacks in her teenage years and is now using her influence to help de-stigmatise mental health.
She's also a Business Retail Management student, a coastal rower, and has finished her first certification in Psychology and Social Science. She's very proud of her Irish heritage and is passionately trying to keep the barely-spoken Irish language (Gaelic) alive.
[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BcC_gQ6D_9g/?taken-by=cailin.tobin]]
While she didn't make it to the top 10, her moment in the spotlight sure did get the people's attention. Who knows, maybe she'll get the chance to work as Reese's body double in an upcoming flick.
But you know what else? I actually think Del-Peters – who won Miss Universe this year – actually looks a
lot like Mila Kunis.
[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BcC2Ke3lYGR/?taken-by=missuniverse]]
Just throwing it out there.
