Miss Universe 2018 - the 67th Miss Universe pageant - was held in Thailand last December, garnering contestants from 90+ countries all over the world. Even though Miss Philippines, Catriona Gray, was announced as the winner, for many people, the real star was Miss Vietnam, H’Hen Nie - a top 5 finalist. Her inspirational story and favorable results have challenged the conventional beauty standard held by Asian cultural beliefs and Miss Universe customary beauty norms.
Ignoring the prejudice against ethnic minorities, the difficulties of a child who was born into a poor farm family, and the urge from her folks to get married at the age of 14 (a custom of her tribe), H’Hen Nie kept a cool head and chose to follow her modeling dream. She left her village, where she had spent most of her life, to pursue higher education in a big city.
There were times that she had to work as a nanny, housekeeper, and maid to help support her family and fund her own university tuition during her study at the College of Foreign Economic Relations, where she earned her degree in Business Finance.
Later on, H’Hen Nie’s modeling career took off as she was accepted to the “Vietnam’s Next Top Model”. Even though she didn’t win the competition, the experience she acquired from it proved to be valuable, since it helped pave her way to a higher victory - Miss Universe Vietnam. The victory helped seal her spot in the world’s largest beauty contest - Miss Universe, where she made history and won everyone’s heart.
With her short hair, naturally and unapologetically dark skin, Hen shattered the old-school beauty conventions of her country, Vietnam, and possibly around Asia - light skin, and long cascading hair. Still, she was able to showcase the genuine dignities of Vietnamese women: confidence, grace, strength and intelligence.
By being a top 5 finalist, she has shown to the world that with determination, hard work, and diligence anyone can turn their dreams into reality. Furthermore, the fact that she gave away every dime from both of her prize money - $10,000 from MU Vietnam and $43,000 from Miss Universe - to improve the educational quality at her village is even more heart-warming. She is the living proof of an inside-out-beauty - not only does she have an attractive appearance but she also possesses a heart of gold.
Ignoring the prejudice against ethnic minorities, the difficulties of a child who was born into a poor farm family, and the urge from her folks to get married at the age of 14 (a custom of her tribe), H’Hen Nie kept a cool head and chose to follow her modeling dream. She left her village, where she had spent most of her life, to pursue higher education in a big city.
There were times that she had to work as a nanny, housekeeper, and maid to help support her family and fund her own university tuition during her study at the College of Foreign Economic Relations, where she earned her degree in Business Finance.
Later on, H’Hen Nie’s modeling career took off as she was accepted to the “Vietnam’s Next Top Model”. Even though she didn’t win the competition, the experience she acquired from it proved to be valuable, since it helped pave her way to a higher victory - Miss Universe Vietnam. The victory helped seal her spot in the world’s largest beauty contest - Miss Universe, where she made history and won everyone’s heart.
With her short hair, naturally and unapologetically dark skin, Hen shattered the old-school beauty conventions of her country, Vietnam, and possibly around Asia - light skin, and long cascading hair. Still, she was able to showcase the genuine dignities of Vietnamese women: confidence, grace, strength and intelligence.
By being a top 5 finalist, she has shown to the world that with determination, hard work, and diligence anyone can turn their dreams into reality. Furthermore, the fact that she gave away every dime from both of her prize money - $10,000 from MU Vietnam and $43,000 from Miss Universe - to improve the educational quality at her village is even more heart-warming. She is the living proof of an inside-out-beauty - not only does she have an attractive appearance but she also possesses a heart of gold.