Huỳnh Thị Thanh Thủy, the first Vietnamese woman to be crowned Miss International, has impressed not only with her beauty and intelligence but also with her journey of hard work and resilience. However, alongside the glamour, Thanh Thủy has also faced her share of controversies and unwarranted criticism.
1. Miss International’s Gown: Hit or Miss?
It’s true that Thanh Thủy’s evening gown choice for the Miss International 2024 finals sparked quite a bit of controversy. Many felt the pastel pink, heavily embellished gown designed by Lê Thanh Hòa was overly fussy and didn’t flatter her figure. Some even commented that it made her look less impressive compared to the other contestants.
Netizens had mixed reactions to Thanh Thủy’s gown. Some of the comments included:
- “This dress is too fussy, it hides Thanh Thủy’s figure.”
- “The color is too pale, it doesn’t stand out on stage.”
- “This design looks tacky, it’s not worthy of Miss International.”
However, there were also those who defended the gown, praising its delicate and feminine beauty, and stating that it suited Thanh Thủy’s style.
Regarding the design concept:
Designer Lê Thanh Hòa shared that the dress was inspired by cherry blossoms, a symbol of Japan – the host country of the Miss International pageant. He stated: “I wanted to create a design that embodies the traditional beauty of Vietnam while harmonizing with Japanese culture. The dress is meticulously hand-embroidered with thousands of crystals, creating a shimmering and luxurious effect.”
Despite the mixed reactions, Thanh Thủy and her team stood by their choice. And surprisingly, after she was crowned Miss International, the dress was “vindicated.” Many praised its elegant beauty and how it complemented Thanh Thủy’s grace on stage. The color and silhouette were also deemed a perfect match for the Miss International crown, enhancing the new queen’s overall appearance.
2. The “Cold Shoulder” Incident at the Lancôme Event
On November 7, 2024, Thanh Thủy attended a new product launch event hosted by the Lancôme cosmetics brand at GEM Center, Ho Chi Minh City. However, she was seen standing alone for a considerable time without being offered a seat, while other guests were already seated. Subsequently, Thanh Thủy quietly left with her team.
The incident escalated further when sources claimed that Thanh Thủy was not only “forgotten” but also treated rudely by the event agency’s staff.
Facing public outrage, Lancôme Vietnam issued an official apology to Thanh Thủy and her fans on the brand’s official Facebook page. The company stated that they had spoken with the relevant parties and confirmed that the incident was due to unprofessional conduct by the agency’s staff. Lancôme also sent a notice to the agency regarding their staff’s behavior and proposed terminating their partnership.
On her part, Thanh Thủy posted a video of her attending the event on her personal Facebook and Instagram accounts with the caption: “No matter what happens, I will always maintain a positive and optimistic spirit. Mistakes are inevitable, what matters is that we learn from them and improve ourselves every day.”
However, many fans remained dissatisfied with Lancôme’s handling of the situation and felt that the apology was not enough to appease public opinion.
3. Other Minor Controversies
Aside from the two incidents mentioned above, Thanh Thủy has also been involved in a few other minor controversies:
Appearance: Before and after winning Miss Vietnam, Thanh Thủy faced some criticism regarding her appearance. For example, some comments on beauty forums suggested that she had a “common” face and her height wasn’t particularly striking. However, these opinions did not significantly affect Thanh Thủy’s career.
Public Statements: In some interviews, Thanh Thủy’s statements were perceived as lacking tact and refinement. For instance, in an interview after winning Miss Vietnam, she responded to a question about the pressure of being a beauty queen by comparing it to “attending extra classes.” This response was considered by many to be thoughtless and not reflective of maturity. However, these were minor missteps and did not cause major controversy.
Despite facing some unwarranted controversies, Thanh Thủy has maintained a positive public image. She is highly regarded for her beauty, intelligence, resilience, and diplomatic demeanor. Thanh Thủy’s journey exemplifies the dedication, ambition, and self-affirmation of modern Vietnamese women.
