Reigning Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil has encouraged women to celebrate their differences and not breaking them down.
"Miss Universe is about empowering women, not breaking them down, and I’m excited to see all of us celebrated in our differences," said Thattil on Instagram.
The Indian-Australian beauty queen who stands 5'3 made the reaction after a netizen commented that "she is scary short like a midget" and "can't compete with the real beauties.
On IG, the netizen wrote: "She is so well-spoken. I love how she talks, but she is scary short like a midget otherwise she is such a gorgeous girl, I'm sure she can make it to top 21. But Miss India is 100 times more beautiful and taller, Miss Australia will make an impact, but she can't compete with the real beauties, they are goddesses."
Thattil's full comment: "Thank you for your opinion. Beauty is subjective. What I love about @missuniverse is that you are seeing women from all over the world representing differences.
"The fact that we look different is incredible - and we all meet different standards of beauty.
"What I want to see if diversification of this. That includes different heights. I am no less beautiful or impactful because of my height, and every other person who has been told they are “less than” because of height will feel that when they see me on that stage come May 16th.
"Miss Universe is about empowering women, not breaking them down, and I’m excited to see all of us celebrated in our differences."