Latest news with #MissUniverse2024
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
A former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA thought the Miss Universe CEO's 'blond hair and blue eyes' comment was 'very destructive'
When Anne Jakrajutatip was asked how she would evolve beauty pageants, the Miss Universe CEO didn't hesitate. She didn't believe evolution was necessary. "Evolution?" Jakrajutatip asked, her eyes widening as she sat alongside Victoria Kjær Theilvig during a press conference in November 2024 after the 21-year-old from Denmark was crowned Miss Universe. "We have blond and blue eyes," Jakrajutatip continued, referring to Theilvig's appearance. "We don't need any more evolution here. We already got the best here." At the time, the comment shocked many in the pageant community, while others weren't fazed. Now, former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava are sharing their thoughts on the controversial comment. "It shows that we're moving backward," Srivastava told Business Insider during an August interview. "When I was picking a pageant to compete in, what stood out to me about the Miss USA organization was that there were so many different types of women." "I wanted to compete for an organization that cherishes that and doesn't have one type of winner or one type of beauty," she added. "That is obviously changing." A representative for Miss Universe didn't respond to a request for comment. 'It's not the 2000s anymore' Voigt and Srivastava both made history when they won their respective pageants in September 2023. Srivastava was the first winner of Mexican-Indian descent to win the Miss Teen USA title, and Voigt was the first Venezuelan-American to wear the Miss USA crown. She went on to place in the top 20 at Miss Universe, which oversees the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. Voigt said Jakrajutatip's comments felt reminiscent of some pageant fans' reaction to her win in 2023. "The year I competed, people were like, 'We're due for a blond-haired, blue-eyed winner,'" Voigt recalled. "And then when I won, people were like, 'Oh, another brunette.'" She told Business Insider that Jakrajutatip's comment could've been said to "please angry pageant fans" who had complained for several years about not having a Miss Universe winner with blond hair and blue eyes. "But you run a beauty pageant," Voigt said. "There are beautiful people in the world who look very, very different from each other, so pause with that rhetoric. What she said was very destructive." Srivastava said Jakrajutatip's comments also "brought up a lot of emotions" and reminded her of her own experiences with racism, starting from a young age. "It is so hard to constantly try to fit the mold of a standard that you just realistically can never fit," she said. "I can never just magically snap my fingers and have blue eyes." "I'm in a place where I have pretty tough skin now, but there are girls that haven't had to develop that and shouldn't have to," Srivastava added. "That's ridiculous and outdated. It's not the 2000s anymore." The pageant world had mixed reactions to Jakrajutatip's remarks. Miss Universe 2024 first runner-up Chidimma Adetshina, who made history as the first Miss Nigeria to place in the top five, told Business Insider in November that she was "not really offended by it." "Maybe that's just her perspective," she said about Jakrajutatip. "Maybe that's how she felt about the evolution of Miss Universe." Others, including current Miss America Abbie Stockard, took issue with Jakrajutatip's words and how they would affect the image of pageant queens. "That's just so frustrating to hear because I know I fall into that category, and it just seems like it takes away from all the hard work I put into it," Stockard told Business Insider after she was crowned in January. A string of controversies Jakrajutatip's comment was just the latest in a string of controversies from the Miss Universe and Miss USA organizations. Voigt and Srivastava never finished their reigns, relinquishing the titles in May 2024 within days of each other. It was the first time in the pageant's 72-year history that a woman had given up her crown. The mothers of the pageant queens told Business Insider at the time that Voigt and Srivastava, who are bound by nondisclosure agreements, had endured "eight months of torture and abuse" under the leadership of Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose, who has denied the allegations. The Miss Universe Organization never investigated Voigt and Srivastava's allegations regarding Rose. A spokesperson for the organization told Business Insider in July 2024 that Miss Universe was a "beacon of women empowerment and diversity" and remained committed to "promoting inclusion, transparency, and integrity, which will not be swayed by unfounded allegations." Jakrajutatip's "blond and blue eyes" remark also came just weeks after she went on Instagram Live and judged photos of the Miss Universe 2024 contestants alongside the pageant's advisor Osmel Sousa, who once told The New York Times that inner beauty "was something that unpretty women invented to justify themselves." In another video, filmed in October 2023 and obtained by Business Insider, Jakrajutatip told her staff that diverse pageant contestants "can compete, but they can't win," calling it a "communication strategy." In a statement posted on her Facebook page in February 2024, Jakrajutatip said she had been discussing a potential Miss Universe reality show. "The way they're handling everything is laughable at a certain point," Voigt told Business Insider in August. "How are you in charge of this organization and doing these things? It makes me really mad. This is straight-up clownery."
Hype Malaysia
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Laurier Pairs Freedom With Fashion At KL Fashion Week 2025!
This Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW), comfort took the spotlight – and not just on the runway. Laurier Malaysia made a bold statement on 8th August 2025 at Suria KLCC with its 'Experience Zero Feeling' campaign, debuting its ultra-thin Super Slimguard pads in a way that turned heads and changed minds about what period care can look and feel like. Partnering with local fashion label What To Wear, Laurier presented a runway showcase that celebrated confidence, movement, and ease. The campaign isn't just about a product – it's about giving women the freedom to move through life and their cycles without compromise. Fashion That Feels Like Freedom Kicking off the show was Sandra Lim, Miss Universe 2024, who also debuted as Laurier's brand new ambassador. With grace and confidence, she brought to life the campaign's message of feeling light and empowered. The runway featured 10 curated looks by What To Wear, designed with the theme of movement and ease. Every outfit reflected a balance of modern femininity and modest elegance – comfortable, wearable fashion made for real women with real schedules. 'We designed the collection to reflect the spirit of the campaign. It's effortless, unrestrictive and made to move with you,' said designer Melanie Kee. The Spotlight On Laurier's Super Slimguard The Super Slimguard is designed for those who want both style and security. At only 0.1cm thin, it offers up to 200 times its weight in absorbency. That means all-day protection without the bulk. It is perfect for form-fitting outfits, packed schedules and anyone who prefers not to think twice about what they are wearing during their period. In other words, it is made for confident, fashion-conscious women on the move. 'Experience Zero Feeling is more than just a product claim. It's a creative state of being,' said Tan Poh Ling, Vice President of Marketing at Kao Malaysia. Strike A Pose At The 360° Glam Cam After the runway show, guests were treated to Laurier's on-ground activation – a 360-degree Glam Cam designed for visitors to capture their own confident, carefree moments. Just like the campaign itself, it was all about feeling good in your own skin and expressing your personal style. To catch more of the highlights and behind-the-scenes moments, head over to Laurier Malaysia's official Instagram and Facebook pages. You will also find updates, promos and empowering content for every kind of woman. Experience 'Zero Feeling' is not just Laurier's promise. It is a lifestyle built on ease, confidence and staying stylish no matter the time of the month. Feel light, look good and move freely.
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Chelsea Manalo addresses recent sightings with rumored BF Cole Micek
Is Chelsea Manalo in a relationship with Cole Micek? In a message sent to GMA News Online, the reigning Miss Universe Asia addressed her recent public sightings together with the Filipino-American model and athlete. 'We work in different countries so we still make sure we have the time to talk and learn from each other. As what everyone see on videos of us together in public, that's the pace we are in. Just private but not a secret,' Chelsea simply said. Chelsea and Cole were both featured in the maiden issue of GLEN, a new digital magazine. The two were present during its launching event. Last month, they were also together during MEGA Ball 2025, which happened at Marquis Events Place in Taguig City. Chelsea represented the Philippines in Miss Universe 2024, where she was named Miss Universe Asia and received the Best National Costume award for her religion-themed ensemble called Hiraya. Meanwhile, aside from modeling, Cole is a basketball player who plays for the Macau Black Bears in The Asian Tournament. — LA, GMA Integrated News
Business Standard
25-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Reveal Lasers Hosts Groundbreaking Forum with Dr. Madhuri Agarwal & Navya Singh
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 25: In a landmark Pride Month initiative, Reveal Lasers India, led by CEO Mr. Kuntal Debgupta, partnered with renowned dermatologist Dr. Madhuri Agarwal and trans icon Navya Singh--the first trans woman among the top 30 contestants of Miss Universe 2024--to elevate the conversation on LGBTQ+ skin and hair health. Hosted at Yavana Clinic Mulund, this event centered on the unique hormonal and physiological challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and offered real-world solutions. Redefining Confidence: Laser Hair Removal as a Gender-Affirming Solution One of the most discussed and emotionally resonant topics during the session was laser hair removal--a procedure that holds deep significance for many in the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender individuals undergoing gender transition. For trans women, excessive facial and body hair can be a persistent source of gender dysphoria, affecting both confidence and day-to-day comfort. For trans men, targeted hair reduction is often desired to shape identity on their own terms. In both cases, laser hair removal becomes more than a cosmetic treatment--it becomes a step toward self-affirmation and dignity. Dr. Madhuri Agarwal emphasized how laser hair removal, when performed with medical-grade devices like those from Reveal Lasers, offers long-term results with safety and precision, especially when tailored to different skin tones and hair types. The technology not only reduces physical discomfort from shaving or waxing but also helps individuals align their appearance more closely with their gender identity. Navya Singh shared how laser hair removal played a critical role in her own journey: "It gave me the power to walk into the world with confidence. It wasn't just about appearance--it was about being me, unapologetically."* The session called attention to the urgent need for safe, accessible, and inclusive laser hair removal services in India. Reveal Lasers, through this initiative, aims to break the stigma and make these treatments more approachable for queer and trans individuals across the country. By prioritizing visibility and education, this Pride Month event spotlighted how technology can empower transformation--not just of the body, but of self-worth and identity.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Meet Riya Agrawal, an influencer with vitiligo who champions skin positivity
Social media may be full of fillers and filters, but the glow of some influencers stem from their unfiltered stories. Riya Agrawal, a Raipur girl in her 20s, is using her social media presence to spotlight vitiligo, a condition she wears on her sleeve as a badge of honour. On World Vitiligo Day, let us tell you how she worked her way from being bullied for her skin to becoming a voice of change and promoting skin positivity. Riya Agrawal has not let vitiligo define her beauty or limit her confidence. Instead, she has drawn strength from it.(Instagram) Riya was all of 3 years old when the physical marks of vitiligo started to show on her body. It was nothing new in her family. For the unversed, vitiligo is an autoimmune skin condition that causes skin to lose its colour or pigment. According to the National Health Services, it happens due to a lack of pigment called melanin in the skin. Even while Riya felt "normal" about her condition, the stigma around vitiligo only hit her when she went to college. 'It never came as a shock to me or my family because both my parents have it too... I expected people to be mature, more understanding, and educated but I was picked on for having vitiligo. Some comments were hurtful and that was the time that it hit me that there is a lack of awareness to an extent where people are okay making such comments at a mature age,' Riya Agrawal once told Health Shots in an interview. The comments fueled her desire to address the lack of vitiligo awareness. From writing poems and articles in school magazines to addressing her challenges through her Instagram presence, Riya Agrawal says her journey has been nothing short of amazing. The love and support of loved ones helped her beat the odds. "Vitiligo, for me, was not very different because I have been raised to believe that it is perfectly normal. My parents have always supported me. As for my friends, they have never made me feel left out or something is wrong or something is different,' added Riya. On World Vitiligo Day 2024, Riya had also released a 3-part short film titled 'Thick Skin' on Instagram to mark . The film asserted the message that every person has to find self confidence to embrace themselves the way they are. Riya too believes: 'Self-acceptance is the beginning and the end of feeling truly empowered for everybody.' On the changing beauty standards, she comments: 'Societal pressure and stereotypes take generations to change but our generation is evolving and embracing the change. I am also trying to make that shift from that preconceived notion of beauty. The perception of beauty has evolved. We are seeing posts or content pieces that talk about issues that were not talked about earlier. People are breaking stereotypes and going beyond boundaries to showcase insecurities and own them." Also read: Logina Salah makes history at Miss Universe 2024 as first contestant with vitiligo Riya also applauds the growing number of body positivity influencers globally. 'I hope to see more such representation in the future. I am not sure if brands are jumping on the inclusivity bandwagon just for the sake of it, but I hope all the brands showing inclusivity are doing it because they mean it and not because it's the new 'cool'."
