Miss Universe Organization probes Vietnam pageant controversy

The Miss Universe Organization said that it has started looking into the concern of pageant fans that newly crowned Miss Universe Vietnam Bui Quynh Hoa knew the final question for the final Q&A portion of the contest last month.

"Thank you for bringing concerns about the 2023 Miss Universe Vietnam competition to our attention – we hear you and we’re looking into it.

"We’re working closely with our franchise partner to learn more about what happened and ensure that every part of our program is, and has been, carried out with integrity," the MUO wrote on its fan page last Tuesday, according to a report by Vietnamese online newspaper e.vnexpress.net.

Hoa was crowned the 2023 Miss Universe Vietnam last Sept. 29. However, there was widespread online debate over Hoa's victory. Some claimed that she already knew the answer and gave nearly identical responses to Google.

Hoa, 25, denied the allegations, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.

“There is nothing wrong with looking around and gathering information from different sources,” said Hoa during the media conference.

Hoa also frowned upon allegations that the show’s organizers had chosen her as the winner even before the pageant, as reported by VnExpress International. “I believe you all have seen my efforts and my thorough preparations for the contest. And I believe you all see how I deserve the title.”

On Facebook, the Miss Universe Vietnam Organization wrote: “It’s extremely important to us that all pageants are judged fairly, and that we have your trust when it comes to every single delegate.

“We’re working closely with our franchise partner in the country to learn more about what happened and ensure that every part of our program is, and has been, carried out with integrity," it added.

The South China Morning Post reported that Hoa was asked to define the beauty of confidence during the final Q&A portion.

Hoa answered: “A ‘confident beauty’ ... is also someone that can acknowledge others’ successes and get over her own failures in order to improve and become a better version of herself.”

Hoa's answer did not sit well with pageant fans, claiming the competition was rigged.

The 72nd Miss Universe Competition will be held in El Salvador on Nov. 18.