Annie Walton Doyle
Everyone is saying the same thing about the newly crowned Miss Universe 2024.
The 73rd Miss Universe competition concluded with a historic moment as Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig claimed the coveted crown in Mexico City on Saturday evening.
Victoria, a competitive dancer and aspiring lawyer, became the first Dane ever to win the prestigious title.
Donning a dazzling floor-length pink gown with intricate sequin and beadwork, Victoria’s radiant presence on stage left a big impression.
Her answers during the interview portion further solidified her win.
When asked how she would live differently if judgment didn’t exist, she responded, ‘I live by each day,’ expressing gratitude for her journey.
In her final message, she urged viewers to: “Leep fighting … no matter where you come from.”
However, not everyone was entirely pleased with the result.
Social media buzzed with passionate opinions, particularly among fans of Miss Thailand, Suchata Chuangsri, who felt the Thai beauty was a strong contender for the crown.
Suchata Chuangsri, a 21-year-old student from Phuket who studies international relations at Thammasat University, made a lasting impression with her thoughtful answers during the competition.
When asked about the qualities of a successful leader, the Daily Mail reports that she said: “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.”
Miss Thailand’s journey to the top also highlighted her advocacy work, which included raising awareness about breast cancer after undergoing surgery at age 16 to remove a tumor.
Fluent in Thai, English, and Chinese, Suchata used her platform to shed light on important causes.
Despite finishing as the third runner-up, many fans took to social media to voice their belief that she deserved the crown.
One user wrote: “Her answers for both of the questions were on point and hit the mark!”
Another commented: “Miss Thailand was robbed … best first answer.”
But this wasn’t the only thing people were saying about the 2024 Miss Universe pageant.
While the competition celebrates empowerment and diversity, some have questioned whether Miss Universe continues to promote outdated ideals of femininity.
Critics argue that the pageant’s emphasis on traditional beauty standards and physical appearance undermines its purported message of inclusivity.
This year, the Miss Universe Organization took notable steps to modernize the competition, including allowing married women and mothers to participate and removing restrictions on age and body type.
Miss Universe UAE, Emilia Dobreva, and Nepal’s Jane Dipika Garrett, the first plus-size contestant to win Miss Universe Nepal, are examples of this progress.
These changes were applauded by many as a move toward inclusivity, yet critics suggest more work remains to challenge lingering stereotypes.
Despite the controversy, Victoria’s victory marks a monumental moment for Denmark, with her crowning hailed as a breakthrough for her home country.
Her choice of a Viking-inspired national costume in the preliminary rounds further underscored her pride in Denmark’s heritage.
She shared on Instagram: “This costume tells the story of those remarkable figures – women who navigated the seas, led their clans, and celebrated the beauty of life through their courage.”
Victoria’s win also highlighted the pageant’s increasing global representation, with contestants from over 120 nations competing.
Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina, who finished as first runner-up, made history as the first Nigerian to achieve this position.
As Victoria Kjær Theilvig begins her reign, the conversation about what Miss Universe represents in a modern context will likely continue.
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