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Reigning Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, made a grand entrance in Thailand, marking her first trip to Asia since winning the crown on November 16, 2024, and following her recent travels to Miami and New York, where she had an exclusive interview with HOLA! USA & Americas, and lit the Empire State Building, the Danish beauty queen continues her whirlwind journey as she embraces her role as the global ambassador for the Miss Universe Organization.
© Roy RochlinA Warm Thai Welcome at the Mandarin Oriental
Victoria was greeted with a lavish reception at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. Taking to her social media, the new Miss Universe shared glimpses of her luxurious suite, which was adorned with thoughtful welcome gifts.
© Victoria Kjaer Theilvig / Miss UniverseAmong the highlights was a stunning collection of necklaces, bracelets, and charms from Pandora, showcasing the Danish brand's signature style.
© Victoria Kjaer Theilvig / Miss UniverseThailand: A Pageant-Obsessed Nation
The visit to Thailand holds special significance as the nation is deeply passionate about beauty pageants. However, this year's Miss Universe results stirred controversy among Thai fans, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their discontent, believing their representative, Suchata Chuangsri, was unfairly denied the crown.
© Hector VivasSuchata, a 21-year-old Phuket native studying international relations at Thammasat University, captured attention with her eloquence during the Q&A round and ultimately finished as third runner-up. Thailand, which has previously won the Miss Universe crown in 1965 and 1988, eagerly anticipates a third victory — a hope rekindled annually by its devoted fanbase.
Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip Defends the Judging Process
Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, CEO of JKN Global Group and co-owner of Miss Universe, responded to the backlash with a firm response. She called the fan outrage "ridiculous" and urged critics to move past their disappointment. She emphasized that this year's revamped points system evaluates candidates' performance across the entire competition, not just the final night.
"A Miss Universe should be a brand ambassador — someone personable, likable, and hardworking," Anne explained. She also reiterated that fluency in English is not mandatory, as candidates may respond in their native language as long as their answers are clear and direct.
© Rodrigo VarelaControversial Remarks Spark Debate
During Victoria's post-crowning press conference, Anne sparked further discussion with her remarks about the pageant's evolution. She commented on Victoria's Nordic beauty, "We have blonde and blue eyes, so we're coming to the ultimate evolution already." While some fans saw the comment as a playful observation, others criticized it for undermining the pageant's commitment to diversity.
© Roy RochlinDespite the chatter, Victoria previously told our publication that as a global ambassador for Miss Universe, what excites her most about traveling is "everything." She added, "I can't wait to travel worldwide, experience different cultures, and connect with local communities. I want to offer help wherever I can. While I know I can't change the entire world, I can make a difference in small ways. If I can help just one person, that will bring me much hope."
