During the competition's semifinals on 25/3, Darathorn Yoothong opted for a unique approach instead of a traditional catwalk. She sat in a split on high heels, swayed her hips, and showcased her muscles to the tune of the song "Nobody" by Wonder Girls. During the group performance, the beauty queen displayed hip hop moves combined with humorous expressions.
Darathorn Yoothong's fame spread widely after the competition night and has continued for days. On X, her dance video attracted over 30 million views. Media outlets such as CNN and Channel NewsAsia reported on it, contributing to a surge in viewership.
Famous American weathercaster Nick Kosir posted a video expressing his admiration for her dance moves. He stated that Darathorn Yoothong, despite not winning the title and finishing in the top 20, "captured the hearts of global audiences," and he even wanted to invite her to dance with him in Times Square, according to Mirror Thailand.
Social media users and famous TikTokers covered the dance or made videos commenting on it. The Social Show on Canada's CTV television channel invited many celebrities to participate in a talk show discussing Darathorn Yoothong's appeal. Parade and MyModernMet quoted numerous comments from international viewers, such as, "She looks so funny," or "Darathorn Yoothong may not have a crown, but she won on digital platforms." Others believe Darathorn Yoothong's fame even overshadowed the new beauty queen, Patthama Jitsawat.
Many viewers commented that the dance helped create a personal mark, distinction, and broke stereotypes on the beauty pageant stage. However, some considered it inappropriate or believed the contestant deliberately overacted to gain attention. In fact, for many years, the Miss Grand Thailand organizers have allowed contestants creativity in their performances or self-expression during the introduction and swimsuit segments.
Thanks to the dance, Darathorn Yoothong's life is turning a new page. In recent days, she has become a guest at numerous events, with brands and companies inviting her for advertisements. On 8/4, Bangkok Post and TNN Online published a video of Darathorn Yoothong participating in an aerobic exercise session at Lumpini Park with thousands of people. There, she again created a buzz by performing the dance. According to updates on her personal page, Darathorn Yoothong's schedule for April is almost fully booked.
Darathorn Yoothong thanked the public for their affection. "I am showing my true personality, wanting to spread positive energy to everyone," she said.
Darathorn Yoothong was a contestant representing Kalasin province at Miss Grand Thailand 2026. Born in 2002, she graduated with a degree in English from Ramkhamhaeng University. Yoothong is also a professionally trained dancer, having performed in concerts and music videos with singers.
Tan Cao
