Huong Giang, along with 118 other contestants, arrived early at Impact Challenger Hall to prepare for the final round. To begin, she joined the contestants in silver outfits for a synchronized performance and name introductions. When the top 30 were announced, MC Steve Byrne did not call Huong Giang's name to proceed.
Huong Giang's result was disappointing for many viewers. In Missosology's final prediction chart, released hours before the finals, beauty experts placed Huong Giang in 25th position. Before the finals, she stated, "The affection from the audience, friends, and colleagues is the greatest gift to me."
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Huong Giang poses on stage while listening to the top 30 announcement. Photo: Thay Beo U40 |
Dozens of Vietnamese celebrities, including Hoa Minzy, Erik, Chi Pu, Pham Tuan Ngoc, Mai Ngo, Huong Ly, and Diep Lam Anh, were present to cheer for Huong Giang. Each time she appeared on stage, fans stood up and cheered.
During her 21 days in the competition, Huong Giang attracted significant attention from domestic and international media. She was the only transgender contestant and boasted the largest fanbase, with over 4 million followers on Instagram. Consequently, images of Huong Giang on stage or backstage received an overwhelming amount of engagement.
She presented an energetic image, interacting comfortably with the media. Huong Giang also drew attention for her adaptable style, frequently being listed among the best-dressed contestants by various beauty pages. In the swimsuit round on 14/11, Huong Giang faced an incident that affected her confidence, but she regained her spirits for the closed-door interview round the following day. Before the finals, Huong Giang was among the top three in the Beyond the Crown (meaningful social project) category.
Her full name is Nguyen Huong Giang, she is 33 years old, and hails from Hanoi. She first gained public attention after reaching the top four of Vietnam Idol 2012. In 2018, she was crowned Miss International Queen in Thailand. For many years, she has pursued singing, acting, and producing reality television shows.
The 74th season of Miss Universe, themed Beyond the Crown, began in early November. However, organizational issues and internal conflicts within the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) led many viewers to deem the competition unprofessional. Several contestants withdrew due to health problems or personal reasons. Currently, 120 contestants continue their journey to win the crown. Before the semi-finals, two judges, former footballer Claude Makelele and musician Omar Harfouch, stepped down from their roles on the Miss Universe judging panel.
Miss Universe was first held in 1952 and is one of the world's most-watched beauty pageants, with 165 countries and territories purchasing broadcasting rights.
The competition has undergone many rule changes, aiming to promote diversity and honor not only physical beauty but also the courage and healthy lifestyles of women. Since 2023, the Miss Universe Organization has allowed married women and mothers to compete.
Tan Cao
