"Praying for Myanmar"... Miss Universe Myanmar Representative's Performance

Photo by Tuja Win Lit Facebook

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] The Myanmar representative participating in the Miss Universe pageant attracted attention by holding up a sign calling for international attention to the Myanmar coup.

On the 15th (local time), major foreign media reported the story of Myanmar representative Thuza Win Latt (22), who is participating in the Miss Universe pageant currently underway in Florida, USA.

On the 13th (local time), during the traditional costume contest held at the Hard Rock Hotel, Thuza reportedly unfolded a sign in front of the audience that read "Pray for Myanmar." After folding the sign and greeting with a traditional gesture of hands pressed together, the audience responded with applause and cheers.

Thuza is a well-known figure working as a model in Myanmar. She is majoring in English at East Yangon University and has continuously participated in the democratization movement by joining protests and publicly posting messages opposing the military junta since the coup occurred.

Thuza confessed that she felt fear when passing through immigration offices to board the plane to the United States. She was worried that the military might have placed her name on a list of people banned from leaving the country because of her actions.

However, Thuza did not give in and repeatedly emphasized that Myanmar society must not regress to the past. She raised her voice, saying, "Thanks to the internet, the people of Myanmar know the outside world. We have lived enjoying freedom for the past five years, and we cannot go back to the past."