Left to right: Miss Universe Uruguay Lola de los Santos, Miss Universe Myanmar Ma Thuzar Wint Lwin and Miss Universe Bernadette Belle Ong during the National Costume segment of Miss Universe 2021
Thuzar Wint Lwin strode down the runway at the Miss Universe pageant in a costume that represented her Chin people in northwestern Myanmar.
When she got to the end, she took a bow and unfurled a scroll she d been carrying. Pray for Myanmar, it read.
It was a powerful message from Myanmar s Miss Universe contestant and a reference to the ongoing bloodshed in her country since the military junta seized power in February.
Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images
toggle caption Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images
Left to right: Miss Universe Uruguay Lola de los Santos, Miss Universe Myanmar Ma Thuzar Wint Lwin and Miss Universe Bernadette Belle Ong during the National Costume segment of Miss Universe 2021 Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images
Thuzar Wint Lwin strode down the runway at the Miss Universe pageant in a costume that represented her Chin people in northwestern Myanmar.
When she got to the end, she took a bow and unfurled a scroll she d been carrying. Pray for Myanmar, it read.
It was a powerful message from Myanmar s Miss Universe contestant and a reference to the ongoing bloodshed in her country since the military junta seized power in February.
Miss Myanmar delivers passionate statement against military coup at Miss Universe pageant: Our people are dying By Sophie Lewis Hunger Games salute used by protesters in Asia
Miss Myanmar used Sunday night s Miss Universe pageant to deliver a powerful message against the military junta, which has killed hundreds of demonstrators in the country since it seized power during a coup in February.
Wearing a traditional costume, Miss Universe Myanmar, Thuzar Wint Lwin, unveiled a scroll during the national costume segment reading Pray for Myanmar. She ended up winning the category. Our people are dying and being shot by the military every day, she said in a video message for the competition. I would like to urge everyone to speak about Myanmar. As Miss Universe Myanmar since the coup, I have been speaking out as much as I can.
The dress has sparkly dollar signs. Rodrigo Varela / Stringer / Getty Images
The 18-year-old law student chose a hot-pink Sherri Hill dress that had sparkly dollar signs embroidered on its skirt.
The dollar signs could be a nod to how this year s event was held in Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, a popular spot for gambling.
Miss Ghana wore eye shadow that matched her crop top and miniskirt. Her look incorporated plenty of orange. Rodrigo Varela/Stringer/Getty Images
Miss Myanmar won the Miss Universe national costume contest by using it as an opportunity to make a political statement.