Miss Universe 2023 finale streamed worldwide on Sunday and pageants from almost 80 plus countries walked the ramp to win the coveted beauty pageant title. After the introduction round, Miss Universe 2023 Top 16 were selected based on the votes by the people of the world on Miss Universe App. Securing her position for the first time and making history Payengxa Lor made her way into the Top 16 and became the first woman from Laos to do it. Yes! you heard it right. Payengxa Lor became the woman from Laos to qualify for Miss Universe 2023 Top 16.
Notably, 21-year-old, Payengxa Lor, was also the first Hmong woman to win Miss Universe Laos, therefore making her the first Hmong woman to compete in the MISS UNIVERSE Competition. As a result of growing up poor, Lor recognized the struggles of poverty which motivated her to find a career in education. She believes that education can erase poverty. Payengxa Lor worked hard to teach herself English in order to become an English teacher. As a teacher, she has the ability to support herself to go to a university which she believes will inspire others like her. She believes English is not a key to success, but instead a tool to success, saying that “If you know English, you will be like a tiger with wings.
On her way to the TOP 16 is LAOS! #MISSUNIVERSE The 71st MISS UNIVERSE Competition is airing LIVE in the U.S. on @TheRokuChannel! pic.twitter.com/2DK3J1U8AJ
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) January 15, 2023
Miss Universe 2023
Miss Universe 2023 is being held in New Orleans and over 80 delegates from across the globe will be competing for the crown at the Ernest N. Moral Convention Center in the US.Hosts Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai Jenkins introduced the night's selection committee, all of whom are women in various industries. The judging panel included Emmy-award-winning journalist and author Myrka Dellanos, sports reporter Emily Austin, Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam, Quido skincare founder Olivia Quido, Viral media PR founder Mara Martin, Roku head of marketing and merchandising Sweta Patel, Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, and hip hop artist Big Freedia.