“Heavy is the head that wears the crown”. –Shakespeare
The Miss Grand International (MGI) pageant faces controversy after Miss Grand Myanmar, Thae Su Nyein, publicly rejects her second runner-up position, as she doesn’t accept her title. “I came to win first place and believe I deserved a higher position”, she stated.
The drama escalated when Myanmar’s National Director, Htoo Ant Lwin, forcefully removed Thae Su Nyein’s crown and sash on stage, objecting to her placement. Following this, MGI terminated its relationship with Htoo Ant Lwin, banning him for life due to “poor sportsmanship and credibility.”
MGI President Nawat Itsaragrisil accepted her decision, effectively cutting ties with both Thae Su Nyein and Myanmar’s national franchise. During a press conference, Nawat expressed frustration, saying, “If she wants first place, she should create her own pageant.”
A decision was made by the MGI Organization to revoke Miss Myanmar’s title as 2nd Runner-Up due to her inappropriate behavior and violations to rules and regulations.
THE ETIQUETTE OF A QUEEN
What happened with Miss Grand Myanmar was entitlement, immaturity, and unprofessionalism, according to netizens. A true queen embodies confidence, leadership, and philanthropy. She who wears the crown must be a role model, advocating for meaningful social causes and inspiring millions through her actions and character. Let’s look at Pia Wurtzbach’s winning answer that made her Miss Universe 2015: “If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth, and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart. Thank you.”
Pia understood that there’s a dual role of beauty queens: being role models and using their platforms for advocacy. She taught us about leadership, the importance of advocacy, and how public figures can use their platform to inspire and create positive change. It blends personal ambition with social responsibility, demonstrating the power of both individual and collective impact. And this contestant’s behavior didn’t check any of those boxes.
A SHIFT OF PERSPECTIVE
Despite her inappropriate behavior, we can understand what Miss Myanmar was going through. After all, every contestant enters a competition with the same primary goal: to win, right? Or perhaps not always—some join simply for the fun and experience. In Su Nyien’s case, however, it’s clear she faced significant pressure, likely pushing herself through strict routines and personal challenges to stay at the top of her game.
Representing the country could be adding cultural and identity pressures, as contestants must embody national values while adapting to diverse customs. The financial burden is significant, with costs for wardrobe, coaching, and travel often falling on the contestants. Balancing advocacy work with competition demands is also challenging, as is navigating media attention.
We know it can be heartbreaking when the people who are counting on you don’t meet their expectations, like you let them down. But remember, your worth isn’t defined by others’ opinions or outcomes beyond your control. Disappointments are part of growth, and the important thing is to learn from the experience, forgive yourself, and keep moving forward. You can’t always meet every expectation, but what matters most is the effort you put in and how you bounce back. Use these moments as motivation to improve, but also be kind to yourself—no one succeeds without setbacks along the way.
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