Singapore, Uruguay, and Myanmar send powerful messages through their Miss Universe 2020 national costumes
The Miss Universe 2020 national costume show has just ended. While it had its most stylish and flamboyant pieces that represent and celebrate their countries, a few delegates decided to bring serious edge to the show by wearing costumes that contained powerful messages about diversity, equality, and peace.
Check them out below.
Miss Universe Myanmar Candy Thuzar
Candy Thuzar wore a traditional Chin attire to the National Costume show as her original costume was lost in mail. "It is such a beautiful coincidence that I represented Hakha (Capital of Chin State) in Miss Universe Myanmar and now I had to wear the Chin costume again and represented Myanmar on Miss Universe stage," she wrote on Instagram.
As she reached the end of the stage, Thuzar held up a sign saying: "Pray for Myanmar" as a cry for help against alleged violence committed by the military in her country.
Miss Universe Singapore Bernadette Belle
Inspired by her country's national flag, Miss Universe Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong wore a red sequined leotard with a red and white cape that wrote: "Stop Asian Hate" at the back. As someone who lives in a multicultural society, Ong wanted to shed light on the recent attacks on Asians in the United States, thus wearing a costume that symbolizes universal fellowship and purity through the colors red and white.
"Our peaceful social fabric is built on respect for all races, languages and religions. This is what makes Singapore thrive as a multicultural, inter-religious nation," Miss Universe SG wrote on their post.
Miss Universe Uruguay Lola de los Santos Bicco
Activist Lola de los Santos Bicco of Uruguay fights for diversity and representation and honors the LGBTQIA+ community wearing a black gown that turns into a rainbow flag called "I Am." Her gown reads: "No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination."
"This costume is inspired by my own story, a free young woman who decided to tell the world who she is, to be the light of those who, still oppressed by the opinion of others, discrimination and violence, have not been able to scream for HIS FREEDOM from her," the caption wrote.
Banner image from Miss Universe SG, @hispana.tv, YouTube