Critical Beauty

  And the winner is... Miss Coronavirus! Runners-up include Ms. Lupita Jones, Miss Global, Miss Handicapable and Miss Racism.       2020 pageantry was dominated by cancellations, postponements, delays, and defiance caused by the Coronavirus pandemic that has so far killed nearly two million people around the world. It also triggered heated debates on personal liberties, tests, lockdowns, mental and emotional health and the availability of a vaccine. Despite the gravity of the pandemic, it has not stopped pageant aficionados from pursuing their passion. In fact, it has brought the pageant community much closer together through endless virtual meetings and social media interactions. TROUBLE AT MISS GLOBAL   The year began with a huge  scandal that broke out at the finals of Miss Global 2020 pageant which was held in Oaxaca, Mexico on January 18. The woman representing Colombia, Jesenia Orozco , caused a scene on stage claiming that the pageant was rigged and confronted a man named Rami

  Thuzar Wint Lwin , 21, has been crowned Miss Universe Myanmar 2020. Hailing from Hakha, Myanmar, she is a professional model and a beauty blogger. The Miss Universe Myanmar 2020 coronation night took place at Novotel Max Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar on December 30, 2020. Aye Chan Moe hosted the ceremony, which was aired on Channel ME. It was the second edition of Miss Universe Myanmar. Including Thuzar, 35 candidates competed for the crown. Aside from Thuzar, four more queens were crowned. First runner-up  Han Lay , 20, of Myawaddy was crowned Miss Grand Myanmar 2020 while second runner-up  May Thazin Oo , 18, of Myitkina was crowned Miss Intercontinental Myanmar 2020. Racheal , 20, of South Yangon was third runner-up and was crowned Face of Beauty Myanmar 2020. Fourth runner-up  Mya San Thidar , 23, of Pathein was World Beauty Queen Myanmar 2020 and fifth runner-up  Naw Christine , 19, of Bamaw was Miss Globe Myanmar 2020. Han was Miss Beautiful Smile while Naw was voted as the Let Me C

  Anshika Sharma , a Nepali residing in Sydney, Australia, was crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2020. Miss Nepal Universe 2017 Nagma Shrestha , National Director of Miss Universe Nepal, crowned the 24-year-old at an event held on December 30. Impressing the judges with her answer to the question, ‘What is the one life lesson that you have learned after COVID-19 and its effects?’, she was able to take home the coveted crown. Her winning answer was: “The one lesson that I have learnt after COVID-19 is always to be ready for all the challenges that life throws at you because life is uncertain. Also for the government and for the individuals, be economically prepared because COVID-19 has taught us that economy is so important that we need to always be aware and always secure our finances to be moving forward in life.” Sharma won a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs and a chance to participate in the Miss Universe pageant among others. Sharma, who calls herself an advocate for education and a go getter,

  KATHMANDU, Dec 29 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - When Angel Lama sashays down the catwalk in the Miss Universe Nepal finals on Wednesday she will make history as the first transgender woman to be a finalist in the Himalayan nation's most glamorous annual event. Nepal ranks among fewer than a dozen countries in the world that accept trans contestants in their national pageants and only the third in Asia after Myanmar and Mongolia, according to LGBT+ activists. The move comes after new management relaxed the criteria for height, weight and appearance, and allowed any "bold, beautiful and confident woman" between 18 and 28 years to participate. "I have come to Miss Universe Nepal to show the diversity of people in the society," Lama, 21, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, who will compete against 17 other finalists. "If I stand on that stage and showcase this, that will be the biggest crown ever." Majority-Hindu Nepal has become more accepting of LGBT

  A true woman of substance, articulate and opinionated. Watch our full, unedited chat with Bernadette Belle Ong, Miss Universe Singapore 2020!

  Miss France 2021 was held on December 19, 2020 at Puy du Fou in Les Epesses,  Pays de la Loire. Miss Normandie 2020 Amandine Petit was crowned as the new  Miss France 2021 and she will represent France either at Miss Universe 2021 or  Miss World 2021. Clémence Botino of Guadeloupe crowned her successor at the  end of the spectacular finale that celebrated the pageant's 100th anniversary.   Amandine is 23-years-old and comes from Bourguébusand. She is a student at  IAE Caen in a master's 2 Management of establishments and gerontological  structures. Her court includes 1st Runner-Up April Benayoum, Miss Provence;  2nd Runner-Up Lara Gautier, Miss Côte d'Azur; 3rd Runner-Up Aurélie Roux.  Miss- Alsace; and 4th Runner-Up Lou-Anne Lorphelin, Miss Burgundy who  is the younger sister of Marine Lorphelin, Miss France 2013. 

Credit: Rabiyamateo / Instagram Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo   is speaking her truth on Instagram Story on Tuesday evening after a leaked edited video of her is seen circulating online. In the said video, the 24-year-old beauty queen was interviewed by pageant vloggers for the Critical Beauty Salon YouTube channel, originally uploaded last December 12. In one of the segments, Rabiya mentioned that her dream was to become an actress and if given a chance to play one, she would love to play the role of the antagonist. The vloggers then challenged her to live her dream and gave her a scenario where she won the Miss Universe crown. However, the First Runner-up disagreed with the results. Rabiya complied and acted her heart out. She even had her final line all thought out: “I'm a Filipina, so don't mess with me!” The sad news reached the beauty queen, prompting her to respond to her bashers on her personal Instagram account. She said, “This needs to stop. This video w

  Miqueal-Symone Williams (centre), Miss Universe Jamaica, is flanked by Abigail Pinnock (left), first runner-up, and Monique Thomas, second runner-up, at the pre-recorded final of the competition aired on Saturday THREE years after withdrawing from the competition due to a family tragedy, 23-year-old Miqueal-Symone Williams was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica in a pre-recorded final on Saturday night. Despite winning the title, Williams — who wore the sash Miss QORIHC — had one regret. “I really wish my mother was here to see this,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “But I'm overjoyed. I'm so grateful to so many people for supporting me and believing in me. I am happy I could make them proud.” Williams's mother was murdered in 2017, causing her to step away from the competition that year. Selected from a field of 10, she also won the sectional prize for Best in Evening Gown. Williams felt confident going into the finals. “Without confidence, you are twice defeated in the race o

  What an amazing and beautiful young woman! Watch our full, unedited chat with Rabiya Mateo, Miss Universe Philippines 2020!

  Helen Hernandez was elected Miss Aruba 2020 out of five women who had applied for the position. She was crowned by the Minister of Finances, Economy and Culture, Xiomara Maduro. Hernandez will now represent the small island nation in the next edition of Miss Universe whose date and venue have not yet been confirmed. Helen Hernandez & Xiomara Maduro Information and Photos courtesy of Karl Genser.