Miss Universe 2020 candidate Nova Stevens from Canada recently responded to the negative, racist remarks she has been receiving from several pageant fans. On 4th May, 2021, the 26-year-old Canadian beauty queen of African descent shared a screenshot of one of her photos with several comments in Filipino criticizing her skin color.
Some of the comments on the posts were, “nognog,” "katakot," "akala ko angkanto," and "Tostadong tostado na nga, NASUNOG pa." The photo Nova posted also included English translations of the comments which where, “N words,” “Scary”, “I thought she was a ghost,” and “She is toasted and burnt.”
She captioned the post, calling out the racist fans for their ‘ignorant and racist ideologies.’ She wrote, “Here we go again. I’ve been receiving this picture in my inbox a lot lately. With all that has been going on in the world ‘black lives matter’ ‘Asians are human’ you would think this would bring us together. Instead, looks like some people are still stuck in their ignorant and racist ideologies.”
Nova also aired her disappointment with the toxic behavior of some pageant fans. She continued, "I’m really disappointed with some pageant fans from certain countries. Your hate takes away the fun and enjoyment from this once in a lifetime experience. Is it really that difficult to spread love instead of hate?”
She also stated, “You don’t need to dim someone’s light in order for you to shine,” asking the fans to support their delegates without bringing others down. “The world is evolving, people are realizing that beauty is not exclusive to one specific group of people. The definition of beauty applies to all; because beauty can be seen in different shapes, shades and sizes. Please see the beauty that is in this world. We don’t need to look the same, we just need to treat each other the same,” she added.
Stevens later clarified her post with another post saying that she is not singling one nationality as toxic fans and most definitely, not generalizing that all Filipinos are racist. In the same post, she wrote, "Hi everyone, thank you for the kind comments and messages. Please know that I am ok. This post is not a generalization, which is why I said ‘some.’ ”
She also wrote, "In case it’s not clear. I don’t think all Filipinos are racist. That would be ridiculous to say. This picture with texts was constantly being sent to me recently which is why I shared it. I’m well aware that there are multiple countries that think this way." Stevens added that she shared the photo with the hopes of teaching everyone a lesson and to ‘make pageants fun and enjoyable for all.’
Ending things on a positive note, Nova requested the pageant fans to stop this behavior and to “get back to spreading love, celebration and making Pageants fun for all!” She also urged them to root for the girls as they deserve to be celebrated and spoiled with lots of love. “They’ve worked so hard. Give them the best gift you can give anyone; if you’re not sure what that gift should be, I’ll help you out. Give them love. Nothing else. Just love,” she concluded.
Pageant fans and beauty queens all over the world sent Nova their love and support in the comments section of her post after she raised awareness on the negativity some beauty queens experience. Among them are her Miss Universe 2020 batch mates Adline Quadros Castelino from India and Francesca Luhong from Malaysia, Miss Universe Canada 2018 Marta Stepien Magdalena, and Miss Universe USA 2016 Deshauna Barber.
Since most of the comments were from Pinoy fans, Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo also took up on her to apologize on behalf of her people for the comments and requested them to stop the social media abuse, online hate and bullying.
Nova Stevens is one of the 74 official candidates vying for the Miss Universe 2020 title. The grand coronation night of the Miss Universe 2020 pageant is scheduled for May 16, 2021 at Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.