Miss Universe: Check out the political messages from this year’s pageant

Of all the issues facing the planet these days, the Miss Universe pageant made headlines today presenting some political statements which took the stage along with some of the world’s most talented women. The Miss Universe stage provided an open opportunity for contestants to shed light on world issues facing them personally, along with those facing the countries they represent.

There has been no shortage of harrowing problems facing countries around the globe, especially considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased the severity of existing problems as well as created brand new ones. Sunday’s Miss Universe pageant gave contestants a wide audience in which to present their concerns.

CNN reported today that this year’s Miss Universe pageant’s most eyebrow-raising moments came from the event’s “national costume contest” segment. During the segment, contestants brandished elaborate outfits meant to best present themselves, as well as best represent their countries. The big news from the segment, however, comes from three special contestants.

Miss Universe Singapore

Bernadette Belle Ong, AKA Miss Universe Singapore, took her time during the costume contest to call attention to anti-asian hate.

If you’ve been watching the news at all over the past year, you know there has been rampant anti-Asian sentiment & hate attacks all over the world, as a result of xenophobic fearmongering coming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ong took the stage with a large red & white gown with the words, “#Stop Asian Hate” on the back. The colors not only made Ong’s message stand out to crowds, but also showcased the colors of Singapore’s official flag. Ong’s outfit comes from Filipino designers Arwin Meriales & Paulo Pilapil Espinosa, who managed to put the piece together in just two jam-packed days.

Miss Universe Uruguay

Lola de los Santos, AKA Miss Universe Uruguay, called attention to a different issue facing millions around the world. The contestant showed her support for the LGBTQ+ community with her costume, with a rainbow flag skirt which she upheld to reveal a message.

The rainbow-curtained skirt held the message, “”No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination” in large black letters. De los Santos also brandished a rainbow crown to complement her leggy anti-hate reveal. However, de los Santos wasn’t the final political message coming from the Miss Universe pageant this year.

Miss Universe Myanmar

Thuzar Wint Lwin, AKA Miss Universe Myanmar, presented her political message in the most straiught-foward way of the event, holding up a sign separate from her outfit during the pageant’s costume contest.

Lwin came to stage in a traditional beaded & embroidered outfit, complete with a crown and several strings of hanging tassels. She revealed a scroll, before holding its message, “Pray for Myanmar” over her head. The message is in response to the dire situation in Myanmar which has left over 700 demonstrators killed and thousands more arrested after Myanmar’s military junta seized power in a February coup.

And the winner is . . .

Judges must have taken Thuzar Wint Lwin’s message to heart, as the contestant went on to win the costume contest after calling attention to her country’s recent challenges. Lwin went on to post an image of herself in the costume with an added description of the outfit as well as its connection to Myanmar’s history.

The Miss Universe pageant brought several pressing political issues to light on stage Sunday, but ultimately the judges went for Mexico’s Andrea Meza for this year’s winner. However, the Hollywood, Florida event showed us perhaps the Miss Universe pageant will go on to be a regular discussion board for political issues facing countries all over the world.

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Have a favorite fit from this year’s Miss Universe pageant? Let us know in the comments below!