Vietnamese trans beauty queen set to compete in Miss Universe 2025 wants to ‘break stereotypes’
Miss Universe’s latest trans contestant, Nguyen Huong Giang. (Getty)
Miss Universe's latest trans contestant, Nguyen Huong Giang. (Getty)
Nguyen Huong Giang, the trans Vietnamese entrant to the 2025 Miss Universe pageant, has issued a statement after it was confirmed she would represent her country.
It was announced on Wednesday (24 September) that Giang, a former Miss International Queen, would be Vietnam’s representative. Giang is also Vietnam’s first trans Miss Universe contestant.
In a statement on Instagram on Thursday (25 September) Giang said that her inclusion is “a door to equality and hope, which is something no other major pageant had chosen to do.” She then added, “Miss Universe has become a stage where, no matter your circumstances, all women are women, lifting each other up and shining together in front of billions.”
Giang went on to say she wanted to show people that “nothing is impossible, and it is never too late for any woman to use the Miss Universe platform to break stereotypes and give back to her community.”
She then said her representing Vietnam should inspire people to do the things they want to do in life. “This is not just a story about gender. It is a story about people, about faith. Believe that with enough effort, one day, you can all change your own lives. Your starting point does not define your limits,” she closed.
Miss Universe Vietnam announced on Wednesday via social media that Giang would represent the country. The organisation said it had handpicked “an elite representative.” They cited Giang’s “feminine beauty, intelligence, confidence, boldness and above all a good heart that never stops trying.”
The post’s caption continued, “She is a living testament to the power of resilience and talent, Huong Giang’s inspiring and proud journey spans across many roles: singer, actress, model, MC, judge and producer.
Just last year, Huong Giang took over the role of producer of Miss Universe Vietnam 2024 again asserting that she never stopped challenging herself.” They also wrote, “In every role, she shines with strong inner strength, creativity, and pride, fitting the image of a modern and powerful Vietnamese woman.”
The caption then closed with “Let’s make history together again!”
Vn Express reported in 2023 that Giang was fined VND 55 million (£1,550.85) for holding an unauthorised trans beauty contest.
The current version of the Miss Universe pageant began in 1952. The pageant’s website states its mission is to off “all women worldwide the best of female empowerment.”
Trans women have been able to compete in Miss Universe since 2012. Married women and mothers have also been able to compete from 2022.
The President of the pageant is Mexican businessman Raul Rocha Cantu. Anne Jakrajutatip, the trans owner of Miss Universe stakeholders JKN Global Group, is the Chief Executive Officer. The contest was at one time owned by the now US President Donald Trump.
The 74th Miss Universe pageant will take place in Thailand on Friday 21 November.
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