Beauty queens use ‘national dress’ round to call for end to ‘violence and discrimination’
Miss Universe gets political: Beauty queens use national dress round to call for a ‘stop to Asian hate’ and an end to ‘violence and discrimination’ – as the Myanmar hopeful asks for ‘prayers’ for her country
- Miss Universe 2021 contestants put on colourful display at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Florida
- Used the ‘national dress’ round as opportunity to convey political issues affecting countries across the globe
- Miss Myanmar, Thuzar Wint Lwin, who held up a sign which urged for ‘prayers’ for her country
- Asian nation has been embroiled in unrest since the military carried out a putsch on February 1, disputing the results of an election that resulted in a pro-democracy party winning power
Miss Universe 2021 contestants made a fashion and political statement during the ‘national dress’ round of the 69th annual beauty competition on Friday morning.
Lola de los Santos Biccò, the official representative for Uruguay, appeared onstage at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida donning a multi-coloured ensemble with a powerful message which read: ‘No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination.’
Among the others calling for their message to be heard was Miss Myanmar, Thuzar Wint Lwin, who held up a sign which urged for ‘prayers’ for her country. The Asian nation has been embroiled in unrest since the military carried out a putsch on February 1, disputing the results of an election that resulted in a pro-democracy party winning power.
Across Myanmar, citizens have been pushing back against the ruling junta, staging massive demonstrations which have been met with violence by the military and led to the deaths of hundreds so far.
Lola de los Santos Biccò, the official representative for Uruguay appeared onstage at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino donning a multi-coloured ensemble with a powerful message which read: ‘No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination’ (pictured)
Miss Myanmar, Thuzar Wint Lwin (pictured), held up a sign which urged for ‘prayers’ for her country. The Asian nation has been embroiled in unrest since the military carried out a putsch on February 1, disputing the results of an election that resulted in a pro-democracy party winning power
Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong decided to include her powerful message into her actual costume and decided to shine a spotlight on the #StopAsianHate movement through a sequinned bodysuit which included a hashtag on a white and red cape
Taking to her Instagram, Bernadette Belle Ong penned: ‘This year’s national costume is inspired by the Singapore flag. The red of the flag represents universal fellowship, and white purity.’ ‘These ideals ring true not just for Singapore but also at an international competition like Miss Universe that brings women together to empower each other and address important issues. #stopasianhate.’
The official representative of Cayman Islands, Mariah Tibbetts, put on a very colourful display in a range of red, orange and blue in her carnival-inspired outfit
Looking roarsome! Miss Nicaragua Ana Marcelo made sure she stood out among the other contestants in her eye-catching ensemble (pictured, left and right)
Elsewhere, Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong, who donned a pair of thigh-high red boots, decided to include her powerful message into her costume.
The beauty contestant shone a spotlight on the #StopAsianHate movement through a sequinned bodysuit which included a hashtag on a flowing cape.
Taking to her Instagram, she penned: ‘This year’s national costume is inspired by the Singapore flag. The red of the flag represents universal fellowship, and white purity.’
‘These ideals ring true not just for Singapore but also at an international competition like Miss Universe that brings women together to empower each other and address important issues. #stopasianhate.’
She continued: ‘Our peaceful social fabric is built on respect for all races, languages and religions. We stand tall and raise our voice for democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. This is what makes Singapore thrive as a multicultural, inter-religious nation.’
Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo put on a stylish display in red and blue wings and three stars to represent the colours and symbols of the country’s flag
Miss Denmark Amanda Petri lit up the stage in her breathtaking ensemble which featured lights, feathers and sequins
Miss Bahamas Shauntae-Ashleigh Miller, who placed as first runner-up in 2018, donned an air hostess inspired outfit – complete with a plane attached to her back
Spreading the love! Nova Stevens, who was representing Canada, made sure the maple leaf took centre stage of her ensemble – the characteristic leaf of the maple tree is the most widely recognised national symbol of the country
Flower power! Ivonne Cerdas Cascante, who represented Costa Rica, donned a floral-patterned gown as she took to the stage to compete in the 2021 beauty contest
Miss Cambodia Sarita Reth was all smiles when it was her turn to grace the stage and showcase her ‘national costume’
Miss Bolivia Lenka Nemer put on a jovial display to ensure her colourful costume was captured in all its glory
Other memorable performances included Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo, who stood out in a pair of red and blue wings and three stars which represented the colours and symbols of her country’s flag.
The three stars in the Philippine flag represent the country’s main island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Keeping her dark hair wavy, Rabiya completed her eye-catching ensemble with a pair of mismatched heels.
Miss Bahamas Shauntae-Ashleigh Miller, who placed as first runner-up in 2018, also made sure she was one to be seen in her glitzy air hostess-inspired outfit – complete with a plane attached to her back.
Monochrome magic! Miss Great Britain Jeanette Akua put on a memorable display in a black and white sequin down as she took centre stage
Spring has sprung! Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Jimenez brought a touch of sunshine to the stage with her daffodil-inspired costume
Miqueal-Symone, who is the 48th Jamaican woman to represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe, looked powerful in purple as she took to the stage
Making a splash! Miss Mauritius Vandana Jeetah put on a tropical display in a sea-inspired gown which featured an array of different oceanic fish
Miss Colombia Laura Olascuaga made sure all eyes were on her in this bright ensemble, complete with feathers, sequins and pom poms
Miss Argentina Alina Akselrad paid tribute to her country’s incredible football success in her sequinned kit (pictured, left and right)
Miss Netherlands Denise Spellman proudly represented her country in a red gown which has ‘Holland’ emblazoned across the front
Andrea Meza took to the stage in a bright ensemble in the hope of bringing the third Miss Universe crown home to Mexico
Mariangel Villasmil Arteaga, Miss Venezuela (pictured, left and right), looked a vision in blue as she put her best fashion foot forward on Friday morning
Cecilia Rossell, who represented Miss Honduras, put on a confident display in a very impressed headpiece complete with cheetah statue
Miss Ecuador Leyla Espinoza appears onstage at the Miss Universe 2021
Miss Universe Ukraine Yelyzaveta Yastremska oped for an intricate dress which took the folk tradition of paper-cutting to monumental levels
Miss Haiti Eden Berandoive opted to make a bold statement as she took to the stage for the 69th edition of Miss Universe 2021
Miss France Amandine Petit had two layers to her big reveal – taking off her white gown to reveal a skimpy silver sequin outfit
Chelsea Tayui, the official representative of Ghana, donned a colourful ensemble comprised of the colour’s of her country’s flag
Miss Italy Viviana Vizzini put her best foot forward as she took to the stage at Miss Universe 2021
Miss India Adline Castelino (pictured left) and right, Miss Chile Daniela Nicolas proudly display their ‘national costumes’
What a way to shellabrate! Miss Panama Carmen Jaramillo donned a costume adorned with a fishing net and shells as she represented her country
Looking all white! Miss Malta Anthea Zammit looked a vision in a white gown which featured colourful hand prints over the hem
Miss China Jiaxin Sun cut an elegant figure as she appeared onstage at the Miss Universe 2021
