Another history has been made during the glittering finals night of the Miss Universe 2024 held in Mexico on Sunday, November 17 (Philippine time).
Twenty-one-year-old Victoria Kjær Theilvig bested 124 other candidates and became the first queen from Denmark to win the prestigious Miss Universe crown. Theilvig was among the heavy favorites to win the crown because of her captivating Caucasian charm: long blonde hair and alluring blue eyes.
She has an angelic face, but Theilvig is also a “monster” on the runway. In the swimsuit round, she knew how to stride in motion to flaunt her perfectly toned body without overdoing it. Her poses were on point and knew how to play with her cape, exuding just the right amount of confidence.
Theilvig deviated from the usual sultry look for the evening gown portion and instead, wore a pink body-hugging beaded gown. The dress is accentuated with some hanging fringes, partnered with a pair of gloves. The choice of color was perfect for Theilvig as it complemented her skin tone and blonde crowning glory.
As expected, she entered the top 5, where she faced two rounds of question and answer portion with the other four remaining candidates. During the first round, Theilvig was given the question, “How would you live your life differently if you knew nobody would judge you?”
“I would never change how I live my life. We learn from our mistakes. We learn every day. We learn something new and we got to take that and bring it to the future. That’s why I live each day by each day, and I just got to stay positive. So, no, I would not change nothing,” she said in response.
In the final question and answer round, the top 5 were given the same question, “Miss Universe has inspired generations of women. What is your message to the ones watching you right now?”
This was Theilvig’s answer: “My message to all the world that is watching out there is no matter where you come from, no matter your past, you can always choose to turn it into your strengths. It will never define who you are. Just got to keep fighting. I stand here today because I want to change. I want to make history. And that’s what I’m doing tonight. So never give up, always believe in yourself and your dreams, and that is exactly what we are going to do.”
The crown was between hers, and heavy fan favorites Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand and Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina. In the end, Theilvig’s overall performance sufficed to beat everyone else and bag the crown. Theilvig’s runners-up are as follows:
- 1st runner-up: Chidimma Adetshina, Nigeria
- 2nd runner-up: María Fernanda Beltrán, Mexico
- 3rd runner-up: Suchata Chuangsri, Thailand
- 4th runner-up: Ileana Márquez, Venezuela
Meanwhile, Philippines’ Chelsea Manalo ended her journey in the top 30. She was later named Miss Universe – Asia, who will tour with the new Miss Universe and other continental queens around the world.
Crossover beauty
Here are some of the things you should know about the new Miss Universe:
- Before Miss Universe, Theilvig first competed in Miss Grand International 2022, where she settled in the top 20. Miss Grand International is a Thailand-based pageant.
- She is an entrepreneur and animal protection advocate.
- She was a professional dancer and a dance teacher, who competed in dance championships like the World and European championships.
- With her experience in pageantry, the new Miss Universe also mentored some Miss Denmark contestants, according to the Miss Denmark organization.
- The organization added that Theilvig has a vision to pursue law in the future and dreams of studying at Harvard University.
A historical win
Here are some of the facts associated with Miss Denmark’s win:
- She is the first Miss Universe winner to wear the Philippine-made “Lumière de l’Infini” (The Light of Infinity) Miss Universe crown.
- By winning the title, Theilvig gives Denmark its first Miss Universe crown after 73 editions of the pageant. Denmark is not a known pageant powerhouse and the last time the country placed in the Miss Universe pageant was in 2007 when Žaklina Šojić finished in the top 15 and also coincidentally competed in Mexico. Meanwhile, the last time a Miss Denmark entered the pageant’s top 5 was in 1963 when Aino Korva placed as first runner-up to Brazil’s Iêda Maria Vargas.
- Theilvig also gives Denmark its second major crown after Catharina Svensson won the Miss Earth 2001 crown. Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth are the four biggest pageants in the world and are collectively known as the “Big 4.”
- Aside from her performance, what probably solidified Miss Denmark’s win was the latest trend in the beauty pageants. After the age of people of color winners, it seems blonde beauties are making a comeback in the world of pageantry.
- The proof was the latest crowning of blonde winners in other Big 4 pageants: Miss World (Miss World 2021 Karolina Bielawska of Poland, Miss World 2023 Krystyna Pyszková of Czech Republic); Miss International (Miss International 2022 Jasmine Selberg of Germany); and Miss Earth (Miss Earth 2023 Drita Ziri of Albania, Miss Earth 2024 Jessica Lane of Australia)
- Another theory is visibility. The last time a Miss Universe has crowned a full blonde was 20 years ago when Australia’s Jennifer Hawkins won the crown. In addition, the Miss Universe Organization is also probably looking for a representation from the European continent since the last time a European woman clinched the crown was in 2016 when France’s Iris Mittenaere won in the Philippines. – Rappler.com