Laos beauty Christina Lasasimma is country's rep at the 69th Miss Universe pageant

ASEANPLUS NEWS
Sunday, 21 Mar 2021 4:46 PM MYT

VIENTIANE, March 21: Christina Lasasimma (pic), a well-known celebrity, model and beauty queen in Laos, will represent the South-East Asian country in the 69th Miss Universe event will be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, United States on May 16, according to local media reports.

It was confirmed on Saturday (Macrh 20) that Christina represent Laos at the highly prestigious event. Hailing from Vientiane, Laos, she will be the Asian country’s fourth representative in the international beauty pageant, which was formed on June 28, 1952.

In 2017, Souphaphone Somvichith made history as the first woman to represent Laos in Miss Universe. She was followed by On-anong Homsombath in 2018 and Vichitta Phonevilay in 2019.

Because of the new coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Phonevilay did not crown her successor in 2020. Lassasima was officially announced as the appointed Miss Universe Laos 2020 on March 18, 2021.

Now, it is Lassasima’s mission to become the first ever candidate from Laos to win the Miss Universe title or at least land in the quarterfinals. The first three candidates of the country were unplaced in the international beauty pageant.

The beauty pageant is acomeback for Lassasima. The Vientiane native was crowned Miss Laos 2012 years before she pursued a career as a professional model in Thailand.

Born in Laos, Lassasima is of Belarusian descent. Her mother Natalia Lassasima was born in Lelchytsy, Gomel Region, Belarus.

Christina also had studied to be a programmer. In 2013, she was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador to the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) in Laos.

After a year and a half, the Miss Universe competition will return with a live telecast on May 16.

The last Miss Universe pageant was in December 2019 and its winner, Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa, has worn the crown longer than anyone else.

Paula M. Shugart, the president of the Miss Universe Organization, said in a press release Wednesday that they’ve spent months planning a safe competition. It will follow similar guidelines as November’s 2020 Miss USA competition held in Memphis.

It’s still under consideration whether a limited audience will be permitted to watch in person.

The Miss Universe competition will air in more than 160 territories and countries across the globe.

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/03/21/laos-beauty-christina-lasasimma-is-country039s-rep-at-the-69th-miss-universe-pageant