Bangkok is hosting the 72nd Miss Universe competition, where delegates from around the globe are vying for the crown currently held by denmark’s Victoria Kjer Thylvig @victoriavesterbykjerthylvig. Though, the road to crowning the next titleholder has been fraught with controversy, including last-minute contestant withdrawals and accusations of unfair voting practices. the pageant, a globally televised event, draws millions of viewers and meaningful media attention, making these unfolding issues especially noteworthy.
The countdown is on for the 72nd Miss Universe competition, with all eyes turning to Bangkok, Thailand, to see who will succeed Denmark’s Victoria Kjer Thylvig, the 2024 winner and the first Danish woman to achieve the global title. The event is unfolding amidst a backdrop of controversy, following withdrawals and accusations of manipulation just hours before the highly anticipated finale.
Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjer Thylvig (Instagram)
Contestants from around the world have arrived and begun weeks of intensive preparations for the final event, including a variety of activities and preliminary rounds. Misses Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq have particularly stood out during the traditional costume segment, each showcasing the unique identity and spirit of their respective countries.
Public Vote Controversy… Debate Surrounds “People’s Choice” Award
Official Miss Universe accounts announced the results of the online public vote, with Miss Palestine, Nadine Ayoub, winning the “Most Beautiful People” award and receiving the highest number of votes. However, social media quickly erupted in debate after fans of Miss Philippines and Miss Bangladesh protested the win of Miss Paraguay for the “People’s Choice” award. The controversy stemmed from the reopening of the voting period for one hour, reportedly allowing Miss Paraguay to garner over one million votes, sparking accusations of manipulation and a lack of transparency under the hashtag: “Justice for Miss Philippines and Miss Bangladesh.”
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Winners of the Public Vote Awards:
“People’s Choice”
First Place: Paraguay
Second Place: Philippines
Third Place: Bangladesh
Miss Paraguay Yanina Gómez (Instagram)
“Most Photogenic”
First Place: Costa Rica
Second Place: Philippines
Third Place: Bangladesh
“Miss Congeniality”
First Place: Turkey
Second Place: Bangladesh
Third Place: Philippines
Miss Turkey Ceren Arslan (Instagram)
“Best Skin”
First Place: Indonesia
Second Place: Philippines
Third Place: Bangladesh
Miss Indonesia Sanly Liuu (Instagram)
“Most Beautiful People”
First Place: Palestine
Second Place: Tanzania
Third Place: Philippines
Miss Palestine Nadine Ayoub (Instagram)
“Best National Costume”
First Place: Philippines
Second Place: Bangladesh
Third Place: Paraguay
Miss Philippines Ma Ahtisa Manalo (Instagram)
“Best Evening Gown”
First Place: Bangladesh
Second Place: Philippines
Third Place: Paraguay
Drama Before Launch: Withdrawals and Accusations
The competition has seen a surprising wave of withdrawals in the hours leading up to the finale. Lebanese musician Omar Harfouch announced the withdrawal of Princess Camilla de Bourbon des Deux Siciles, chair of the selection committee, just one day after Harfouch and former French soccer player Claude Makélélé stepped down.
Harfouch accused the organization on his Instagram account of “forming an improvised judging panel” to select the top 30 finalists, a claim the organization officially denied, reaffirming its commitment to established protocols.
Omar Harfouch (X)
It’s worth noting that public voting through the app accounts for only 10% of the final score for the top 30 finalists.
From Semi-Finals to Crowning
After 30 contestants passed the preliminary stage, which included national costume, swimsuit, evening gown, and closed-door interviews, 12 will advance to the evening gown segment, followed by 5 for the question-and-answer portion in front of the judging panel, culminating in 3 finalists. The winner and her runners-up will then be announced.
The final stage, featuring a unified question on social and humanitarian issues, is crucial for evaluating each contestant’s personality and ability to articulate her thoughts before the new queen is crowned in a formal ceremony filled with anticipation and global celebration.
A String of Mishaps Haunts the Competition
The competition hasn’t been without its dramatic moments. Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henri, suffered a fall on stage during the evening gown preliminary round, garnering widespread attention and support online.
Earlier, a controversial video of Chilean contestant Inna Moll on social media sparked criticism for its provocative display of her beauty routine before being deleted.
In a heated exchange, the director of Miss Thailand, Nawat Itsaragrisil, accused Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosh, of not participating in a promotional event and called her “stupid,” prompting a bold response from Bosh: “We are empowered women, and this platform exists for our voices. If the crown takes away your dignity, you should leave.”
The confrontation was followed by solidarity walkouts from the hall, including Miss Universe Victoria Kjer Thylvig, while organization president Raul Rocha described the director’s behavior as “a public assault and a blatant insult to the dignity of the contestant,” stating he had taken steps to restrict his participation and potentially revoke his powers.
Itsaragrisil later issued a public apology during the sash ceremony, bowing before the contestants and saying, “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I am a human being, and sometimes I can’t control my emotions… I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable.”
