Don’t stop the beauty
Different events may be cancelled during the Covid-19 outbreak, but the Miss International Queen (MIQ) transgender beauty pageant braved it all in Pattaya to put on a show earlier this month.
Founded in 2004, MIQ celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Previous international titleholders had their reunion onstage to give a special performance. Meanwhile, a new generation of 21 beauty queens competed for the crown. In the end, Valentina Fluchaire from Mexico took home the coveted title, with Thailand’s Ruethaipreeya Nuanglee and Brazil’s Ariella Moura as her runners-up.
I had to commend the organiser for putting in place different safety measures throughout the competition. There were staff members stationed outside the contestants’ dressing room and at the theatre’s entrance to check everyone’s temperature and provide hand sanitiser. During rehearsals, contestants were also provided with face masks. It was unfortunate that the theatre was not full as usual as some people stayed home for fear of the virus, but at least the final round was as dazzling as it has always been.