Suchata 'Opal' Chuangsri, representing Thailand, proudly secured the title of third runner-up at the Miss Universe 2024 competition held in Mexico City on November 16. Following her achievement, Opal expressed her gratitude towards the Thai people for their unwavering support throughout her journey. In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram on November 18, she emphasized the importance of empathy in leadership, reflecting her commitment to positive change and representation [b5f564ef].
The Miss Universe 2024 pageant saw Victoria Kjaer Theilvig from Denmark crowned as the new Miss Universe, marking a historic event where women over 28 were eligible to compete. Theilvig triumphed over 125 contestants, with Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina and Mexico’s Maria Fernanda Beltran taking the first and second runner-up spots, respectively. Suchata's achievement as third runner-up and co-Miss Congeniality highlights her popularity among fellow contestants [a2b3fa16].
This year’s competition also recognized outstanding contributions within the pageant community, awarding Best National Director to Dennie Davila from Canada and Best National Pageant to Vietnam, showcasing the diversity and leadership emerging in the beauty pageant industry [a2b3fa16].
Opal's reflections come amidst a backdrop of challenges faced by various beauty pageants, including controversies within the Miss USA organization, where several titleholders resigned due to allegations of a toxic work environment. Savannah Gankiewicz was crowned Miss USA 2023 during this tumultuous period, emphasizing her dedication to fostering a positive environment [1b85e7c4].
Additionally, the Miss Japan pageant faced its own controversies, as Carolina Shiino, the first naturalized Japanese citizen to win the title, stepped down following revelations about her personal life. This incident has sparked discussions about identity and representation in beauty pageants [53dc47de][8364f3ed].