Yangon has four new beauty queens

NANDAR AUNG 06 JUL 2018

The four winners of Miss Universe Yangon 2018, Sky Star hotel, July 01 2018. Nyan Zay Htet/The Myanmar Times

The Miss Universe first round of selection organised in Yangon crowned four.

Miss Universe Yangon 2018 competition was more than a contest. It was an explosion of silk ball gowns, bikini and drooling fans.

Although the World Cup game opposing Spain and Russia was aired at the same time, models, their supporters and their relatives filled up the ballroom of Sky Star Hotel on July 1st to cheer the misses. The annual competition aimed at selecting four misses in four Yangon districts. The winners will run for Miss Universe Myanmar. 24 women sporting sparkling dresses took their chances.

This year competition was different. For the first time it chose four misses – one for the South, East, North and West of Yangon. In previous editions and other competition, there was only one round and fewer candidates. The franchise is extending the number of rounds so the pleasure can last – and the pool grows.

It makes sense, especially in the former capital. “Yangon is much more crowded than the other cities and states and has more potential in choosing an up and coming Miss,” says Myat Kyawt Khine, one of the master of ceremony of the evening.

This pre-selection will be followed by other rounds. “The Misses have more time to prepare,” he adds. They also gain experience, which might come in handy when they compete internationally.

The final Miss Universe contest will be held in March 2019 – most probably in Yangon. Pageants from across Myanmar will fight for a ticket to the global Miss Universe competition.

The swim suit round. Nyan Zay Htet/The Myanmar Times

No revolution on the catwalk

The boundaries of this year’s competition have changed, but not the program. After the swimsuit round, and the evening gown round, question-and-answer followed. There were also familiar faces among the competitors. Two famous Burmese models participated: Emerald Nyein and Noe Noe Kay.

Already established and popular they attracted the loudest cheers – their posse had come in large number.

With no surprise Emerald Nyein and Noe Noe Kay made the cut and will be sent to the finals. Emerald won for the East and Noe Noe won for the West. Two fresh (and pretty) faces snatched the two other crowns: Kyi Lae Aung for the South and Mya Myint Zu Thant for the North.

“I’m satisfied with the results,” says Moe Satt Wine, Miss Universe Myanmar 2013 who was a member of the jury. “Noe Noe Kay and Emerald Nyein are very strong candidates. But other sisters should not give up.”

The misses won a sash, a trophy and a ticket for the next round – but no cash rewards.

“Yangon is much more crowded than the other cities and states and has more potential in choosing an up and coming Miss” - Myat Kyawt Khine, Master of ceremony for the Miss Universe Yangon competition

“I will prepare to have the best body and brain for the final contest,” said the newly crowned Miss Universe Yangon West, Noe Noe Kay. A violinist and a model, she started to compete in beauty pageant in 2009 –when Myanmar rejoined the Miss Universe franchise.

The country first sent a representative to the Miss Universe pageant in 1959 but stopped in 1962 – the Burmese way to socialism was too tortuous for the catwalks.

In 2013, Moe Set Wine became the first beauty queen to represent Myanmar at the annual Miss Universe event 2013 in Moscow, Russia. Since then, beauty contests have become a trend and a dream for Burmese girls like Noe Noe Kay.

“I felt very proud to be one of the winners of the night,” she adds.

Since then, Myanmar is awaiting for another miss to shine.

https://www.mmtimes.com/news/yangon-has-four-new-beauty-queens.html