A Danish beauty queen has been crowned Miss Universe, sparking a wave of sarcastic reactions from social media users who are jokingly celebrating the winner’s biological sex. Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, 21, took home the title on Saturday evening, beating out over 120 other contestants in the 73rd Miss Universe final held in Mexico City.
The Danish student’s win comes as a surprise to some, given the pageant’s recent history of featuring transgender contestants. In 2023, Portugal’s Marina Machete made it to the top 20, and the Netherlands’ Rikkie Valerie Kolle became the first trans person to be crowned Miss Netherlands.
The shifting values and increasing acceptance of transgender individuals in the pageant were reflected in the responses to Theilvig’s win, with many users jokingly celebrating the “return to normalcy.” “BREAKING: Fans shocked after straight, white, biological woman wins Miss Universe 2024,” wrote popular political commentator Matt Wallace to his over 2 million followers.
The controversy surrounding transgender contestants in the Miss Universe pageant has been ongoing for several years, with some critics arguing that the inclusion of transgender women in the competition is unfair to cisgender women. In 2018, Angela Ponce became the first-ever trans woman to earn a spot in the contest, after she was crowned Miss Spain.
Since then, only a few transgender competitors have made it to the finals, with Machete being the most recent. The debate surrounding the subject has swirled, with organizers first allowing trans women to compete in 2012.
Theilvig’s win has sparked a renewed discussion about the importance of representation and inclusivity in the pageant. While some users are celebrating the “return to normalcy,” others are using the occasion to highlight the importance of accepting and celebrating all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression.
In a related development, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who is not transgender, has been at the center of a controversy surrounding her eligibility to compete in the 2023 world championships. Khelif, who won Olympic gold this year, was disqualified from the final due to “high levels of testosterone” in her system, sparking debate about her eligibility.
Transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, who was named “Woman of the Year” by British magazine Attitude last year, has also been the subject of controversy. Mulvaney, who was born male but has since transitioned to being a woman, has faced backlash from some who disagree with her participation in the pageant.
In her acceptance speech, Theilvig thanked her family and friends for their support, saying, “I am so grateful to be here tonight and to have had the opportunity to represent Denmark on this stage.”
The debate surrounding transgender contestants in the Miss Universe pageant is likely to continue, with many users weighing in on social media. While some are celebrating the “return to normalcy,” others are using the occasion to highlight the importance of acceptance and inclusivity.
Conclusion
The Miss Universe pageant has long been a platform for celebrating beauty and diversity, and this year’s winner, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, has sparked a renewed discussion about the importance of representation and inclusivity. While some users are celebrating the "return to normalcy," others are using the occasion to highlight the importance of accepting and celebrating all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression.
FAQs
Q: Who is Victoria Kjaer Theilvig?
A: Victoria Kjaer Theilvig is the winner of the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, held in Mexico City on Saturday evening.
Q: What is the controversy surrounding transgender contestants in the Miss Universe pageant?
A: The controversy surrounds the inclusion of transgender women in the competition, with some critics arguing that it is unfair to cisgender women.
Q: Who was the first transgender woman to compete in the Miss Universe pageant?
A: Angela Ponce became the first-ever trans woman to earn a spot in the contest in 2018, after she was crowned Miss Spain.
Q: What is the debate surrounding Imane Khelif’s eligibility to compete in the 2023 world championships?
A: Khelif, who is not transgender, was disqualified from the final due to "high levels of testosterone" in her system, sparking debate about her eligibility.
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