A new Miss Universe winner was crowned, sparking mixed reactions online. Viewers took to social media to criticize what they called an “unfair and racist decision,” with some expressing the hope that the “crown feels heavy with regret.”
The 73rd Miss Universe pageant took place at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, featuring 125 contestants from around the globe. They competed in various categories, including personal interviews, fashion shows displaying regional costumes, evening gowns, and the traditional swimsuit round.
This year, Victoria Kjaer from Denmark was declared the winner, making history as the first blonde victor in 20 years and the first Danish woman to claim the title.
In her victory speech, 21-year-old Kjaer said, “No matter where you come from, no matter your past, you can always turn it into your strengths. It will never define who you are.” She added, “You just have to keep fighting… I want to make history, and that’s what I’m doing tonight.”
While Kjaer’s supporters celebrated her win, others expressed discontent online. A user on X (formerly Twitter) described the decision as “unfair and racist,” while another criticized the choice, saying, “Denmark: blonde but bland… New Zealand was the clear choice with brains and beauty.” Another user lamented that the pageant failed to “value communication skills, intellect, and diversity,” suggesting that deserving contestants were overlooked. There was also an outpouring of support for Miss Nigeria, with one comment emphasizing the struggles faced by Black women.
Despite the backlash, Kjaer had her defenders, with some expressing excitement over the rare win for a blonde contestant. One commenter stated, “It’s refreshing to see a blonde Miss Universe,” while another congratulated Kjaer as both deserving and beautiful, calling her performance “outstanding.”
