Introduction on Miss Universe 2023 Controversy
The glitz and glamour of the Miss Universe pageant often come hand in hand with controversies, and the 2023 edition is no exception. From alleged biases in the finalist selection to visa issues and political speculations, the event has stirred up debates among fans and observers worldwide. Let’s delve into the key controversies that have left the pageant aficionados buzzing.
Table of Contents
Filipino Fans Outraged: Miss Universe 2023 Controversy
The result of the top 5 finalists sparked outrage among Filipino fans, who felt that their representative, Michelle Dee, deserved a spot over Miss Australia, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Colombia, or Thailand. Some accused the pageant of being a “cooking show” and favoring certain countries over others.
Many Filipino fans expressed their disappointment and frustration on social media after Michelle Dee, who was considered a strong contender for the crown, failed to make it to the top 5. They claimed that she performed better than some of the finalists and that the judges were biased. Some even used the term “cooking show” to imply that the result was predetermined and unfair.
Michelle Dee, who is the daughter of former Miss International Melanie Marquez, was praised for her advocacy on mental health awareness and her elegant performance in the swimsuit and evening gown rounds. She also answered the question on climate change confidently and eloquently. However, she was not able to advance to the next round, where the finalists had to answer questions on social issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, cyberbullying, and immigration.
The top 5 finalists were Miss Australia Moraya Wilson, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfu, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Colombia Camila Avella, and Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild. Miss Nicaragua eventually won the crown, followed by Miss Thailand as the first runner-up and Miss Australia as the second runner-up.
Miss China’s Visa Woes and Political Speculations: Miss Universe 2023 Controversy
Miss China, Qi Jia, was unable to attend the pageant due to visa issues and was eliminated from the competition. Some speculated that this was a political move by the organizers, who are led by transgender businesswoman Anne Jakrajutatip, the owner of JKN Global Group.
Miss China, Qi Jia, who is a 24-year-old model and actress, was not able to travel to El Salvador to join the pageant because of visa problems. She was reportedly denied entry by the Salvadoran authorities due to the ongoing diplomatic tensions between China and El Salvador. El Salvador is one of the few countries that recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, which China considers as a breakaway province.
As a result, Miss China was automatically disqualified from the competition and her spot was given to Miss Myanmar, Thet Thet Htun, who was previously eliminated in the preliminary round. Some fans and observers suspected that this was a deliberate attempt by the organizers to exclude Miss China from the pageant, as they have a personal and political agenda against China.
The organizers of the pageant are led by Anne Jakrajutatip, a transgender woman from Thailand who is the CEO of JKN Global Group, a media and entertainment company that acquired the rights to the Miss Universe franchise in 2022. She is also an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and human rights, and has been vocal about her criticism of China’s policies and actions on various issues, such as the treatment of Uyghur Muslims, the Hong Kong protests, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miss Thailand’s Ungracious Display: Miss Universe 2023 Controversy
Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, showed a lack of sportsmanship when she did not hug or congratulate Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, who was crowned as the new Miss Universe. Many viewers criticized her for being disrespectful and rude to the winner. Miss Thailand also wore a controversial dress that was very transparent and revealed her intimate parts.
Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, who finished as the first runner-up, displayed a poor attitude when the name of the winner was announced. She did not hug or show any affection to Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, who was crowned as the new Miss Universe. Instead, she looked visibly upset and walked away from the stage. Many fans and viewers noticed her reaction and slammed her for being unsportsmanlike and disrespectful to the winner.
They also pointed out that she should have been gracious and supportive of her fellow contestant, as they both represented the same region of Asia-Pacific. But in reality we can clearly see that she was quickly taken away from that place in 2-3 seconds after the winner announcement. But some of the fans are not ready to accept this reality and continuosly bashing Miss Thailand for this. So this Miss Universe 2023 controversy was started in a minute of the crowning.
Miss Thailand also caused controversy with her choice of dress for the evening gown round. She wore a silver dress that was very sheer and barely covered her breasts and her pelvis. The dress was designed by Thai designer Asava, who said that he wanted to create a modern and futuristic look for Miss Thailand. However, many people found the dress to be too revealing and inappropriate for the pageant. They said that the dress did not showcase her beauty and elegance, but rather exposed her body and violated the rules of the competition.
Controversial Inclusion of Transgender Contestants: Miss Universe 2023 Controversy
The inclusion of two transgender women, Miss Netherlands, Rikkie Kolle, and Miss Portugal, Marina Machete, in the pageant also generated debate among the fans and the public. Some praised the pageant for being inclusive and progressive, while others questioned the fairness and validity of their participation.
Miss Universe 2023 marked the first time that two transgender women competed in the pageant. Miss Netherlands, Rikkie Kolle, and Miss Portugal, Marina Machete, both made history by representing their countries and the LGBTQ+ community on the international stage. They both said that they wanted to use the platform to raise awareness and acceptance for transgender people and to inspire others to be themselves.
However, their inclusion also sparked controversy and criticism from some fans and sectors of the society, who argued that transgender women should not be allowed to join the pageant, as they have an unfair advantage over biological women. They also claimed that the pageant was losing its essence and credibility by allowing transgender women to compete. They said that the pageant should only be open to natural-born women, as it was originally intended.
The Miss Universe Organization, however, defended its decision to accept transgender women in the pageant, stating that it is committed to celebrating diversity and inclusion, and that it respects the rights and identities of all women. It also said that it follows the guidelines of the International Olympic Committee, which allows transgender athletes to compete in the Olympics, as long as they meet certain criteria.
Conclusion on Miss Universe 2023 Controversy
The controversies surrounding Miss Universe 2023 have underscored the complexities and challenges inherent in staging a global beauty pageant. From allegations of bias and political undertones to questions about the pageant’s evolving definition of womanhood, these controversies invite us to reflect on the values and expectations we place on such iconic events. As the beauty pageant landscape continues to evolve, one can only anticipate that future editions will bring forth new discussions and debates.