From native animals, to floral motifs or representations of important temples, buildings and spots around the world, the costumes of the 8th "Miss Grand International" beauty pageant candidates paid tribute to exotic plants, animals and attractions of their countries. Here are our top five picks.
At number five is Miss Grand United States. Her costume looks plain and simple at first glance, but actually quite original and provocative. It may be drab, depressing and lacking in color, but even that is intentional and on purpose. It has connotations of colors by which racial groups are designated.
The costume turns out to be laden with significance and carries a strong message. The black coat printed with the names of black victims of police brutality when taken off, reveals a white dress with the colors of the American flag. It is a brave statement reflecting America today.
Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Chalisa Obdam is ready to take the stage at the 69th Miss Universe Pageant in May, to be held at Hollywood, Florida, USA with a dazzling national costume called the ‘Trirong Anongnat Suphanmacha’. But it seems she will no longer be getting what she’s hoping for. Somebody else just stole the thunder from her, enraging her legions of Thai fans. Miss Grand Laos, Phattana Khidaphone is parading a comparable national costume at Miss Grand International pageant currently being held in Thailand.
Amanda’s national costume was officially chosen by TPN Global Company Limited (TPN), the copyright holder of the Miss Universe Thailand among three designs presented in a judging process. The costume was created by renowned designer Akarach Pusonphong with inspiration from the grace of ‘Mrs. Suphan Macha’ in the traditional Thai literature on the Ramayana and combining it with the beauty of the ‘Thai fighting fish’. The costume is highlighted with the tricolors of the Thai flag on the swaying fins.
A transgender woman makes history by winning a preliminary competition for Miss Nevada USA and will now be eligible to participate in the Miss Nevada USA pageant.
Kataluna Patricia Enríquez, who is Filipino-American, was crowned Miss Silver State USA, making her the competition’s first transgender winner.
In past pageants, Enriquez claimed she faced resistance due to her identity as a transgender woman. In Miss Silver State USA, she entered disclosing she was trans from the outset, and faced no issues. The Miss Nevada USA pageant, directed by former Miss USA Shanna Moakler, had nine contestants including runners-up Miss Las Vegas Lan Do and Miss Red Rock Stefanie Joseph. The pageant had five judges including Miss Nevada USA 2019 Tianna Tuamoheloa.
The model and fashion designer will compete in the Miss Nevada USA, and victory there would give her the opportunity to compete in Miss USA and possibly Miss Universe. In 2018, Miss Universe had a trans contestant of its own – Angela Ponce, from Spain. Without a doubt, it’s great news for the trans community in the United States and the world.