Miss M'sia & Indonesia praised after being 1st to congratulate winner at transgender beauty contest

Miss International Queen is a yearly beauty pageant for transgender women.

This year, Miss USA, Midori Monet, took home the crown.

However, her win was slightly overshadowed by tangential drama in the competition.

After the announcement of the winner, contestants were seen cheering with the runner-up, Miss Cuba, leaving Monet at the centre of the stage by herself.

Some have speculated that this could be just a case of timing or pageant etiquette to congratulate the first runner-up first.

Regardless, the Internet was full of praise for Miss Malaysia, Khloe Ambrose, and Miss Indonesia, Kaycia Lee, who were the first two to congratulate Monet after her triumph.

A TikTok video of the sequence of events has garnered over 10 million views, with many praising the two for congratulating Monet.

The other contestants also came over to congratulate Monet after the first two, so it might have been just a case of timing.

Regardless, Monet posted an Instagram story praising Ambrose.

Other slight drama

The event, though, was marked by another slight drama with one of the contestants.

Miss Cuba, Olivia Loren, had given an interview after the competition, which some took to be disrespectful of the winner.

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A post shared by Pawee Ventura (@misspawee)

In an interview with Pawee Ventura, she emphasised her belief that this year's competition was "beyond beauty". She also said she had been bullied throughout the competition, saying people had said she looked like a man.

When asked about her sentiments on the new winner, she expressed confusion about the decision. She said the organisation would have "a lot of work to do if that's what they choose", she further emphasised her belief that this year's event was "beyond beauty".

Loren later apologised for the interview and the misunderstanding that it had caused.

She also said she had hashed it out with the other two winners.

"As for the mention of Miss USA and Miss Vietnam, I realise it was not right to speak out publicly before talking with them directly. We have since had an open conversation and cleared things up with understanding. I respect them and all my fellow contestants deeply."

Image from Tiktok/Blacknoom and YouTube