7 Things To Know About Thuzar Wint Lwin, Myanmar's Miss Universe Contestant

Myanmar Miss Universe contestant: Thuzar Wint Lwin, Miss Universe contestant from Myanmar, on Sunday used the global platform to speak about the crisis in her home country.

“Our people are dying and being shot by the military every day,” she said in a video played after she made it to the top 21 at the pageant’s finals night on May 16 in Florida. In Myanmar, the military forces have killed hundreds since it came to power on February 1, detaining elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy, Reuters reported.

Here are seven things to know about Thuzar Wint Lwin:

1. Wint Lwin was also crowned Miss Universe Myanmar in 2020, held in Yangon. She succeeded Miss Universe Myanmar 2019 Swe Zin Htet.

2. Nicknamed Candy Thuzar, the 21-year-old is a final year student in English from East Yangon University. Apart from modelling, she is also a beauty blogger and now works as a professional model for various brands.

3. The dedicated model has worked with various designers and photographers.

4. The representative from Hakha has also featured on the cover page of a local magazine.

5. Miss Myanmar Thuzar Wint Lwin drew attention when she used her time in the spotlight to bring attention to the coup in her country. She is an advocate of human rights and among many celebrities, actors, social media influencers and sportspeople from Myanmar who have been using various platforms to voice opposition to the coup.

6. Wint Lwin did not make it to the last round of the Miss Universe competition but she won the award for Best National Costume. She had earlier in the competition wore an outfit beaded in traditional Burmese patterns and held up a placard that said, "Pray for Myanmar."

7. The Best National Costume she wore was based on the ethnic costume of her Chin people from northwestern Myanmar, where fighting has raged between the army and anti-junta militia fighters.

Feature Image Credit: CNA Lifestyle