Courageous Miss Universe

Posted on May 25, 2021

from left: Hillary-Ann WIlliams (Barbados) and Andrea Meza (Mexico)

Written by

Jude Bautista

Suspense was building at the 69^th Miss Universe 2021 Pageant in Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida. Immediately before the penultimate Q&A portion there was a video of dialogues between candidates. What ties them together is that they were all victims of violence against women:

Iris Salguero (Belize): There isn’t a place in the world where gender based violence isn’t a problem. Andrea Meza (Mexico): That’s why I want to talk about it because I know we all as women experience this. Hillary-Ann WIlliams (Barbados): It could happen to absolutely anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world.

Iris Salguero (Belize)

Eden Berandoive (Haiti): Seven years ago I was assaulted by my teacher. He sent me to the hospital. No one believes me. This teacher is still teaching. Belize: Being that, I myself am a survivor of an abusive relationship, I definitely relate to you. And (starts to cry)…sorry. Haiti: Its ok… me too I never had the chance to feel free to share my story. Belize: What happened to you it does not define you. And when you tell your story of how you overcame so many struggles. It becomes a guide for other people.

Mexico: Even if I make people uncomfortable I want to have this conversation. Because I know that someone in the room is going to listen to me. Barbados: Almost every woman can say it happened to me. Or they experienced something similar. Mexico: This kind of violence is so normalized because it is part of our culture.

from left: Eden Berandoive (Haiti) and Iris Salguero (Belize)

Barbados: Even growing up we’ve heard things like ‘Oh if a boy is mean to you that means he likes you’. From the time we were little girls we’re fostering these environments that just makes that behavior seem acceptable. Belize: Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for listening to mine. And I hope that this can be the message we can continue to send to the world. That we are strong, we are women and we are united.

For anyone watching the pageant, this video portion would have been stunning to hear. No other time has violence against women as an issue been given that much importance. Prior to the #MeToo Movement, it would have been unthinkable for any beauty queen to acknowledge they were a victim of abuse. Much less, shown as a video at the climactic portion of the pageant last May 17, 2021 (Manila Time).

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Praiseworthy Courage

Incidentally, Miss Mexico Andrea Meza took the crown as Miss Universe. Whether or not Meza’s acknowledgment had anything to do with her victory isn’t absolutely clear. All women who were able to openly discuss their experiences with gender based violence should be commended for their courage. But the candidates in this case are especially praiseworthy, when they’ve become figures of admiration, even representatives of their country. For people of their stature it’s even more difficult to admit you’ve been victimized in this manner.

Miss Universe Andrea Meza (Mexico)

The Miss Universe Organization itself deserves praise with how they did it. The issue was at the forefront, without de-emphasizing the general excitement of the competition.

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Thuzar Wint Lwin

Courage can also be exhibited in other ways. When Thuzar Wint Lwin of Myanmar made it to the Top 21, her video message was aired during the pageant. In the video she talked about why she joined the protest movement in her country: “I think you already know about the news of the crisis in Myanmar. Our people are dying and being shot by the military every day. Therefore, I would like to urge everyone to speak about Myanmar. As Miss Universe Myanmar, since the military coup, I have been speaking out as much as I can.”

Her act of speaking out can mean real danger for her, as the military junta has already cracked down on celebrities speaking out. They are not only jailed but tortured for expressing dissent.

Thuzar Wint Lwin (Myanmar) showed exceptional bravery protesting and speaking out.

Body Image / Plastic Surgery

Those were not the only issues Miss U organizers championed. After the announcement of the Top 5, there was also another video of dialogues between candidates. This time it was those who dealt with the pressures concerning body image:

Denise Speelman (Netherlands): You have to be thin, tall beautiful, that’s the expected thing. Hari Park (Korea): Plastic surgery is a really big issue within the beauty pageants in Korea.

from left: Hari Park (Korea) and Denise Speelman (Netherlands)

Mariangel Villasmil (Venezuela): When I entered the pageant and beauty industry there were a lot of advisors who told me I would be a great candidate if I went to have breast augmentation. I was pressured to get a surgery that I knew I didn’t need. Because I was really fine with my body.

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Andrea Martínez (Spain): These beauty standards affect our health. Korea: I’ve seen women that want to lose their weight. They don’t eat. They only drink water. Even though you drink water and lose weight its gonna risk your life.

Denise Speelman (Netherlands)

Netherlands: Six years ago I ended up having an eating disorder. I did go in therapy. But after that the process really starts. It took me 3-4 years to get over it. And just embrace my body, how it is. Spain: Each time we open Instagram or something, we’re always reading messages from all the people. People are feeling free to offend us.

Venezuela: There’s freedom of speech you can say whatever you want. But please always respect, with respect, with tolerance, with love. Spain: I got emotional. (Gets up and hugs Venezuela)

from left: Andrea Martínez (Spain) and Mariangel Villasmil (Venezuela)

Their words carry weight, that’s why I saw the need to transcribe them. Iris Salguero of Belize said it best, “Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for listening to mine. And I hope that this can be the message we can continue to send to the world. That we are strong, we are women and we are united.”

Photo from https://www.facebook.com/watch/AvidaLandPH/

There’s a lot to unpack from statements in the videos mentioned above. From Hari Park’s candor about prevalence of plastic surgery in her native country of Korea. To Speelman’s admission of her eating disorder. How inexplicable is it that anyone could suggest Mariangel Villasmil (Venezuela) would need breast augmentation?

Women’s Leadership Roles

There are so many ways this year that Miss Universe as an organization has taken a stand. One of them is having an all women panel of judges. That’s a conscious decision to choose women in leadership roles for each available slot. Among the panel is Arden Cho actress and activist who has spoken about Asian Hate in the U.S..

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There also seems to be more entrepreneurs from the candidates themselves. At least a dozen candidates are law students. A majority of those have taken up law intending to pursue their own advocacies. Kamila Serikbai of Kazakhstan took up law to help defend human rights especially low income families. Asya Branch (USA) is pursuing a degree in integrated marketing communication. She started a program called PRISON WRITES INITIATIVE aiming to help inmates live a more humane life.

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Again it was candidates themselves who explained why women should be in leadership roles: Hillary-Ann WIlliams (Barbados): I lost my job during the pandemic. Then I used that opportunity to springboard to a new business. And now I run my own digital marketing agency. Maria Thattil (Australia): We need women leaders. We need leaders who have not been represented like women of color.

(10) Photo from https://www.facebook.com/watch/AvidaLandPH/

Jeanette Akua (Great Britain): It is important for more women in leadership because for most of documented history, society has been made by men for men. We need more women in business. More women in the board room. And more women making decisions.

Thuzar Wint Lwin (Myanmar) showed exceptional bravery protesting and speaking out.

Greater Emphasis on Advocacies

Host Olivia Culpo summarized it this way, “All of the women on this stage tonight are dedicated to making a difference. As entrepreneurs as philanthropists and in some cases both.”

Lenka Nemer of Bolivia made history as the first winner of the Miss Universe Impact Award.

The clearest evidence that organizers are placing a greater emphasis on advocacies is the first ever: Miss Universe Impact Award. It is given to the one who has achieved the most in her chosen advocacy. Along with the award is the $10,000 check for the benefit of the candidate’s initiatives.

Venus Raj fought hard to #WearTheCrown

Lenka Nemer of Bolivia made history as the first winner of the Miss Universe Impact Award. After struggling with food security as a child, she created HUERTOS URBANOS BOLIVIA, an initiative that provides education about urban cultivation and ways to eradicate hunger. Her organization was able to help even more people when the pandemic hit. Lenka Nemer is also an activist for human rights, social justice and gender equity. As an international affairs graduate, her biggest dream is to be able to advocate against hunger and violence around the world.

Lenka Nemer of Bolivia made history as the first winner of the Miss Universe Impact Award.

Lenka was crying tears of joy when she won the award, realizing how many more lives she could help improve with the prize money. She was so happy you’d think she won the Miss Universe crown.

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Support

Even if you’re just rooting for your own country’s candidate, more likely one or several countries would also gain your admiration. For some fans, could be a dozen or more.

Our own Rabiya Mateo (Philippines) is an ambassador for the Department of Education, owing to her love for teaching underprivileged kids. If you’re a real fan why not support her cause? Donate to your local public school. Or help someone with their education needs? And if you can’t donate, help promote the organization and or cause through social media.

Lenka Nemer of Bolivia made history as the first winner of the Miss Universe Impact Award.Lenka Nemer of Bolivia made history as the first winner of the Miss Universe Impact Award.

Log on to the official website: missuniverse.com , click on the profile of your favorite candidate and support their chosen cause/s.

Not everyone can be as forthright in public as Iris Salguero (Belize) with the abuse she suffered. Or Denise Speelman (Netherlands) on overcoming her eating disorder. Not everyone can be as brave as Thuzar Wint Lwin of Myanmar. But IF Miss Universe is able to evolve in a pandemic world that is in such great need, shouldn’t we all get involved as well?