Earlier this month, Miss Universe Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong dominated headlines around the world with her bold, statement-making outfit at the Miss Universe 2021 National Costume Show. Designed by Arwin Meriales, the costume took inspiration from the Singapore flag with its red and white colour theme, but what caught the most attention was her advocacy for the #StopAsianHate movement with a hand painted message by Paulo Espinosa on her cape. It s a positive cultural shift, where people in the public eye are using their platform to draw attention to social issues in the wider world. Just think of Ong s peers, Miss Universe Myanmar Thuzar Wint Lwin and Miss Universe Uruguay Lola de los Santos, where the former drew attention to the situation in Myanmar, and the latter with an overarching message against discrimination and prejudice.