13 details from Miss Universe that you might've missed
Lara Walsh
- After a one-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, Miss Universe held its 2020 competition on Sunday.
- Many contestants used their outfits to pay homage to their countries or draw attention to social or political issues.
- Miss Myanmar and Miss Singapore used their costumes to highlight important messages.
Kamila Serikbai, Miss Kazakhstan, gave a sartorial nod to the competition's casino setting.
The 18-year-old law student chose a hot-pink Sherri Hill dress that had sparkly dollar signs embroidered on its skirt.
The dollar signs could be a nod to how this year's event was held in Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, a popular spot for gambling.
Miss Ghana wore eye shadow that matched her crop top and miniskirt.
Chelsea Tayui matched her orange fringed crop top and miniskirt to her bold eyeshadow.
Miss Myanmar won the Miss Universe national costume contest by using it as an opportunity to make a political statement.
Thuzar Wint Lwin paired a traditional outfit of the Chin people from northwestern Myanmar with a banner that read, "Pray for Myanmar."
Her costume referenced a February military coup and continued violence in Myanmar.
Since elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown, at least 790 people have been killed and over 5,000 people have been arrested, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group.
"Our people are dying and being shot by the military every day," she said in a video shared during the competition.
Lwin has previously said it would not be safe for her to return to Myanmar after the competition.
Miss Singapore called attention to the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes with an outfit that took only two days to make.
Singaporean actress and model Bernadette Belle Ong made a statement with a cape that read "Stop Asian Hate" on the back.
The ensemble, which featured a sparkly red bodysuit that was crafted by fashion-design student Arwin Meriales and a hand-painted cape from artist Paulo Pilapil Espinosa, only took two days to make, according to Ong.
Miss Puerto Rico's dress had a hidden surprise under the skirt.
When she twirled, Estefanía Soto revealed that her green evening gown — which was inspired by Puerto Rico's "mountain landscapes" — had dark-green and red stripes underneath the top layer.
Uruguay's Lola De los Santos advocated for the LGBTQ community with a colorful message on her skirt.
The 23-year-old made a bold statement by pairing a black bodysuit with a rainbow crown and a skirt that read "No more" on one side and the words hate, violence, rejection, and discrimination on the other.
Miss Bahamas Shauntae-Ashleigh Miller took inspiration from tourism for her national look.
The 28-year-old paid tribute to tourism in the Bahamas by pairing a captain-inspired look with a centerpiece that was decorated with miniature airplane jets, flamingos, marlins, and pigs.
The blue marlin is the national fish of the Bahamas. The pigs are a nod to the Bahamas' controversial tourist hotspot Pig Island.
Miss Universe Vietnam Nguyen Tran Khanh Van came out of an egg-like structure.
Nguyen Tran Khanh Van headed onstage in a sparkly egg and made a dramatic entrance by opening it to show off her full matching ensemble. Her headpiece had a similar pattern as the egg shell.
Miss Thailand Amanda Obdam paid homage to her country by revealing a hidden fish in her gown.
Obdam's Siamese Fighting Fish costume fittingly pays tribute to Thailand's national aquatic animal, which is also known as the betta.
Miss Portugal's dress transformed into a lace bodysuit.
Cristiana Silva first appeared on stage wearing a black and pink gown with lace and mesh detailing — then she unwrapped her dress to reveal a lace bodysuit underneath.
The back of Miss Nicaragua's dress had a lion's head and represented a popular event.
Ana Marcello, who wore the Jorge Salazar creation, paid tribute to the Nicaraguan festival La Griteria, which is also known as the Festival of the Virgin.
During the lively religious event, detailed outfits similar to the one she's wearing are quite popular.
Miss Finland's dress lit up during the show to pay tribute to her country's tourist attractions and advancements.
Viivi Altonen paid tribute to Finland's technological advancements by tearing off a traditional Finnish costume to reveal a white gown that began glowing in the dark.
The dress, designed by Tobias Tommila, is also a nod to how the country has colorful northern lights. It took about eight months to create.
The crown has three golden-canary diamonds.
The "Power in Unity" crown that Miss Mexico Andrea Meza took home features a shield-cut 62.83-carat golden-canary diamond and two smaller ones on either side.
According to Mouawad, the luxury jewelry house that created it, the crown "represents ambition, diversity, community, and beauty."
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