The newly crowned Miss Universe 2024, Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig, has sparked widespread conversation, with everyone seemingly sharing their thoughts on the results.
The 73rd edition of the prestigious competition took place this past weekend in Mexico City, with over 120 contestants from around the globe vying for the title. At just 21 years old, Victoria made history by becoming the first Danish winner of Miss Universe.
A Historic Win
Victoria, an advocate for animal protection, dazzled both the judges and the audience with her elegant gowns and heartfelt responses during the question-and-answer segments. When asked how she would live differently if judgment didn’t exist, she simply stated, “I live by each day.”
She also inspired viewers with a message of resilience: “Keep fighting… no matter where you come from.”
Victoria’s achievement has been celebrated by many, marking a milestone for Denmark in the global beauty pageant scene.
Miss Universe’s Evolving Landscape
In recent years, Miss Universe has embraced significant changes to modernize its platform. According to Insider, the competition now allows married women and mothers to participate, a step towards inclusivity and empowerment.
Examples of this progress include Miss Universe UAE, Emilia Dobreva, and Nepal’s Jane Dipika Garrett, the first plus-size contestant to win Miss Universe Nepal. These changes aim to challenge traditional beauty norms and reflect the diverse stories of women worldwide.
However, despite these strides, critics argue that Miss Universe still leans too heavily on conventional beauty standards, which can undermine its message of inclusivity and empowerment.
Social Media Divided
While many have celebrated Victoria’s groundbreaking win, social media has been buzzing with differing opinions. A large number of fans rallied behind Miss Thailand’s Suchata Chuangsri, who many believed deserved the crown.
Suchata, a 21-year-old international relations student from Phuket, impressed with her articulate answers and advocacy for important causes. She fluently speaks Thai, English, and Chinese, and during the competition, she highlighted empathy as the key trait of a successful leader.
“Empathy, because no matter how good you are, no matter what kind of education you have, in the end, you need empathy to care about your people,” she stated.
Suchata has also been a vocal supporter of breast cancer awareness, sharing her personal journey of undergoing surgery at 16 to remove a tumor.
Mixed Reactions
Victoria’s win has prompted polarizing reactions. While some celebrated her success, others criticized the competition for what they perceive as a lack of diversity in its winners.
One social media user wrote, “I thought it was an unfair and racist decision,” while another commented, “They need to get it together as there’s no diversity and it’s becoming evident.”
Others shared sentiments like, “True beauty lies in our stories, in what makes us different, not in an idealized appearance,” and “Of course, they gave a white girl Miss Universe.”
On the other hand, Victoria has received strong support from her fans. One commenter enthused, “She’s beautiful and smart. Congratulations to Miss Universe.” Another added, “Yay! She deserved to win. Congratulations on making history as Denmark’s first Miss Universe, Victoria!”
A Win That Sparks Conversations
Victoria Kjær Theilvig’s victory has not only brought pride to Denmark but also reignited discussions about beauty pageants’ role in promoting inclusivity and empowerment. While the debates continue, Victoria’s message of resilience and grace has undeniably left an impact on the Miss Universe stage.