Phuong Linh attended a press conference on the morning of 22/6, alongside the organizing committee and runner-up Do Cam Ly. She said she was still overwhelmed with joy after winning the crown. "This victory reinforces my belief in myself and validates my decision to enter the pageant. Throughout the competition, I gained valuable experiences and grew as a person," she said.
At the meeting, the newly crowned Miss Cosmo Vietnam discussed her personal life. After the finale, images of Phuong Linh's arm tattoo circulated online. "For me, getting a tattoo is a personal choice, not an endorsement. It serves as a reminder of my past experiences, both joyful and sorrowful. Every time I look at it, it evokes empathy and reminds me to appreciate myself and my journey," she explained.
Phuong Linh got the tattoo while studying in the US. The change in environment, academic pressure, loneliness, and lack of life experience were challenging. "I was only 17 or 18 years old then, still naive and struggling with many things. There were times I felt lost. Fortunately, I had a friend who was a counselor. After a phone call, they helped me regain my composure and gradually overcome the crisis," Phuong Linh shared. She had previously become emotional when discussing this difficult period during the closed-door interview with the judges.
The beauty queen isn't afraid to share her story publicly, hoping to encourage young people living far from home or facing pressure. "You are not alone. In seemingly dark moments, there will always be a light to guide you back," she said.
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Phuong Linh's arm tattoo in a photo taken before she became Miss Cosmo Vietnam. Photo: Provided by the organizers |
Phuong Linh's arm tattoo in a photo taken before she became Miss Cosmo Vietnam. Photo: Provided by the organizers
Phuong Linh emphasized that the organizers did not favor her to win. She views her achievement as the culmination of continuous effort. According to Phuong Linh, not just her, but all the contestants experienced personal growth throughout the competition.
Tran Viet Bao Hoang, head of the organizing committee, denied any favoritism towards the top two contestants. "Our competition prioritizes transparency, so there's no question of favoring any contestant. Both Phuong Linh and Cam Ly performed exceptionally well. From newcomers to the pageant scene, they gradually asserted their talent," he stated.
Phuong Linh admitted to being reserved in the past, rarely using social media and sharing little about her daily life. "While preparing for the pageant, I started to become more open. I'm happy to have made new friends at Miss Cosmo Vietnam," she said.
After the finale, Phuong Linh had a few moments to share her joy with her parents. Family plays a significant role in her life, providing clear guidance and bolstering her confidence.
The 26-year-old stands at 1.74 m tall, with measurements of 87-65-91 cm. The audience praised her beautiful face and bright smile. She currently works as an IT specialist at a domestic technology corporation.
Phuong Linh graduated from the University of Washington with a GPA of 3.6/4.0, majoring in Business and Information Systems Management. She also completed an associate degree in Business at Houston Community College.
Phuong Linh is currently focused on fulfilling her duties as Miss Cosmo Vietnam. She plans to use her 300 million VND prize money to develop the "Line2Life: One Call for One Life" project, an initiative focused on mental health support for teenagers and young adults experiencing mental health crises. She has about six months to refine her skills before competing in Miss Cosmo at the end of the year.
Miss Cosmo Vietnam has been held since 2008, discovering prominent figures in the entertainment industry such as Thuy Lam, Pham Huong, H'Hen Nie, Khanh Van, and Ngoc Chau. Previously, the winners and runners-up earned the right to participate in Miss Universe. In 2024, the organizers lost the rights to send contestants to Miss Universe and now send them to Miss Cosmo.
Tan Cao
Photos and videos: Provided by the organizers
