Asian beauty queens have proven their mettle over the years by giving some of the greatest and historical moments in pageantry, especially at the prestigious Miss Universe pageant. In the last five years or so, Asian beauties have created history for their countries in every way possible. So, without any further ado, let’s meet the Asian queens created history at the Miss Universe platform over the last five years –
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach of Philippines
The diva who is known for breaking a 42-year drought for the Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach was crowned as Miss Universe 2015. The 2015 edition itself became an ironic edition after Steve Harvey mistakenly announced that Ariadna Gutierrez of Colombia won and Pia was 1st runner-up. Steve later corrected his mistake, announcing Pia as the real winner of Miss Universe 2015.
Six years after winning Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach continues to use her platform to promote causes close to her heart. Aside from being a beauty queen and actress, she is also a culinary arts graduate and an ambassador for both UNAIDS and WWF-Philippines. She has also supported initiatives by organizations for children, the environment, and the LGBTQIA community. She is a true inspiration and example of a modern beauty queen.
Miss Universe Thailand 2017 Maria Lynn Ehren
Maria Lynn Ehren represented Thailand at the Miss Universe 2017 pageant as she brought back the glory of the country in the Top 5 placement for the first time ever in history for their country. Although 25-year-old Maria Poonlertlarp Ehren did not become Thailand’s third Miss Universe to the disappointment of some, she was applauded for going further than any Thai contestant in three decades by reaching the final five.
It was a gaffe in answering the final-round question that many saw as costing Maria the crown, when host Steve Harvey asked her what she thought was her generation’s most important social movement. Her response, “I think the most important social movement so far is that we’re having an aging population. So the most important movement in our time is definitely the youth. So the youth is the future. The youth is something we have to invest in,” ignited a debate among Thais about just what were the important social movements then.
Miss Universe Vietnam 2018 H'Hen Nie
For the first time ever in the history of their country, Vietnam made it to the Top 5 of Miss Universe 2018 under the delegation of H'Hen Nie. She also became the first ever woman from her small ethnic group named Rade to compete in such a prestigious competition.
Born in Ð?k L?k, Vietnam, where women are encouraged to start a family very early. H’Hen bravely fought the norms of her community and decided to study and make a different fate for herself. H'Hen Niê’s representation is an example for woman around the world. She did not have the conventional face or hair, but she did have the courage and drive to represent herself on the stage as a strong and independent individual and that is a lesson to go by.
Miss Universe Indonesia 2019 Frederika Alexis Cull
Frederika Cull gave her country their highest placement ever, Top 10 as she represented Indonesia at the Miss Universe Indonesia 2019. Frederika became the seventh Indonesian, and the first representative of Jakarta SCR to be placed as a finalist in Miss Universe history.
Frederika built her own NGO called ‘Sekolah Bisa and Cyber Shanty’ which actually started from her own school assignment social project idea, given her passion for teaching underprivileged children. Besides being a pageant winner, Frederika is also an Indonesian National Rugby union athlete, actress, and television commercial model.
Miss Universe Myanmar 2020 Thuzar Wint Lwin
Fondly called as ‘Queen of Democracy’, Thuzar Wint Lwin aka Candy Thuzar represented Myanmar at the Miss Universe 2020 pageant, where she placed in the Top 21 and won the Best National Costume award, becoming the first representative of Myanmar to place in the competition.
As a beauty pageant titleholder, Thuzar Wint Lwin became a political activist for the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar, participating in protests and demonstrations and raising awareness against the military junta and 2021 coup d'état. As a result of her activism, the Burmese military junta put out an arrest warrant for Thuzar Wint Lwin, and she received asylum in the United States.
Miss Universe Singapore 2021 Nandita Banna
Nandita Banna represented Singapore at Miss Universe 2021, where she placed in the top sixteen. She was the first Singapore representative to reach the semi-finals of the Miss Universe pageant in 34 years since Miss Universe 1987.
Banna believes that pageantry showcases the diversity of different cultures, while giving talented women a global platform to share their views and to stand up for what they believe in. She wants to make positive change by being part of the conversations and doing the groundwork to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu of India
Creating history by winning the most prestigious beauty title of the world, Harnaaz broke the spell of 21 years for her country, as she won the Miss Universe 2021 crown. She became the third women to have achieved the massive feat after Sushmita Sen won Miss Universe 1994 and Lara replicated the feat over two decades ago in 2000.
The new queen has now begun her reigning responsibilities as she arrived in New York with her ongoing media week. As Miss Universe, Sandhu will reside in New York City and participate in several events and appearances throughout the world. In her capacity as Miss Universe, Sandhu has traveled to Israel, the United States and her home country of India.