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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.
Political statements take center stage at Miss Universe, with pageant s blessing: We will always support a woman for using her voice Kerry Justich
The Miss Universe stage at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., became the backdrop for multiple political statements as contestants from around the world sent powerful messages with their national costumes.
Miss Universe Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong was the first to gain widespread attention after wearing a red sequined bodysuit made complete with a red and white cape to represent Singapore s flag. When she turned around, the words STOP ASIAN HATE were revealed. What is this platform for if I can’t use it to send a strong message of resistance against prejudice and violence, Ong captioned a post on Instagram. I wear my country proud and strong!
Myanmar Contestant Thuzar Wint Lwin At Miss Universe Pageant: Our People Are Dying ndtv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ndtv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.