The newly crowned Miss Universe 2024 has everyone saying the same thing!
Over 120 women graced the stage this weekend in Mexico City, competing in the 73rd edition of the prestigious Miss Universe competition.
Denmark’s 21-year-old Victoria Kjær Theilvig made history by claiming the coveted crown, becoming the first Dane to ever win the prestigious Miss Universe title.
The animal protection advocate captivated audiences with her stunning gowns and heartfelt responses during the question-and-answer rounds.
When asked how she would live differently if judgment didn’t exist, Victoria thoughtfully replied, “I live by each day.”
In another powerful moment, she encouraged viewers with the message: “Keep fighting… no matter where you come from.”
In recent years, the Miss Universe organization has made significant strides to modernize the competition, including breaking tradition by allowing married women and mothers to participate, according to Insider.
While the competition highlights empowerment and diversity, some have raised concerns about whether Miss Universe still upholds outdated ideals of femininity.
Critics argue that its focus on traditional beauty standards and physical appearance contradicts the pageant’s message of inclusivity.
Miss Universe UAE, Emilia Dobreva, and Nepal’s Jane Dipika Garrett, the first plus-size contestant to win Miss Universe Nepal, exemplify the competition’s strides toward inclusivity and progress.
While these changes have been widely celebrated, this year’s results have still sparked mixed reactions.
Social media has been buzzing with strong reactions, especially from fans of Miss Thailand, Suchata Chuangsri, who many believed was a top contender for the crown.
Hailing from Phuket, Suchata is an international relations student at Thammasat University and is fluent in Thai, English, and Chinese.
Suchata made a lasting impression with her thoughtful answers throughout the competition.
When asked about the qualities of a successful leader, the 21-year-old shared this insightful response (per Daily Mail): “Empathy, because no matter how good you are, no matter what kind of education you have, in the end, you need empathy to care about your people.”
Suchata has also used her platform to raise awareness about important causes, including breast cancer, after undergoing surgery at the age of 16 to remove a tumor.
Amid the debate over who should have won, some have voiced their strong opinions on social media, offering scathing critiques of the 2024 winner.
While many have celebrated Victoria’s win, others have criticized the competition on social media, particularly regarding its lack of diversity among the winners.
One person expressed their frustration, writing: “I thought it was an unfair and racist decision.”
Upset, another commenter adds: “They need to get it together as there’s no diversity and it’s becoming evident.”
A different perspective shared by another person reads: “True beauty lies in our stories, in what makes us different, not in an idealized appearance.”
A fourth person comments: “Of course, they gave a white girl Miss Universe.”
On the other hand, many have expressed their support for Victoria, with one fan enthusiastically writing: “She’s beautiful and smart. Congratulations to Miss Universe.”
A second person adds: “Yay! She deserved to win. Congratulations on making history as Denmark’s first Miss Universe, Victoria!”