Miss Universe contestants make bold runway statements on hate and freedom

MISS UNIVERSE

Bernadette Belle Ong, Miss Singapore, was a hit with the Florida audience.

Despite the misgivings shared by many of you who are offended by the idea of so-called beauty contests, nevertheless, you've got to hand it to pair of Miss Universe contestants, Miss Singapore and Miss Myamar for their chutzpa.

Using the platform of a globally televised beauty pageant, a Miss Universe contestant wore a national costume with the words “Stop Asian Hate” to shine a spotlight on a dramatic uptick in attacks and hate crimes against Asian American communities over the past year.

Representing Singapore, Bernadette Belle Ong was walking down the runway in an outfit that featured the red and white colors of the country’s flag, but the audience in Hollywood, Florida cheered and clapped when she spun around to reveal the words “Stop Asian Hate” written on the trail of her gown.

“What is this platform for if I can’t use it to send a strong message of resistance against prejudice and violence!," said Ong, who was born and raised in the Philippines.

The 26-year old contestant designed the costume herself. "My National Costume is inspired by Singapore's National Flag," Ong wrote on Instagram. "It symbolizes unity for all and social harmony in a multi-racial, multi-cultural and in an inter-religious country." 

The United States, Canada, Australia and Great Britain have been experiencing an alarming surge of racist incidents targeting those people of Asian descent for the past year with no signs of abating.

Miss Singapore was not the only contestant using the contest's global audience to send an important message. Representing Myanmar in the Miss Universe contest, Thuzar Wint Lwin walked down the runway wearing traditional Burmese attire and unfurled a small banner that said “Pray for Myanmar.”

Speaking about the military junta that has taken over Myanmar -- or as the U.S. prefers to call the country, "Burma" -- in an interview before leaving for the Miss Universe contest, the 22-year old Lwin said, “They are killing our people like animals. Where is the humanity? Please help us. We are helpless here.”

It is uncertain if Lwin will be allowed to return to Myanmar after the Miss Universe contest concludes.

The pageant -- once owned by Donald Trump -- allows the public help decide the finalists and winners of the national costume category. 

Vote here for your favorite national costume. Voting ends Saturday, May 15. Miss Universe will be crowned May 16.