The newly crowned Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, has ignited a firestorm of criticism after a video surfaced of her lip-syncing a racial slur from a popular song.
The Danish beauty queen, who won the global title on November 16 in Mexico City, filmed herself mouthing the lyrics to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” while atop the Empire State Building.
In the video, Theilvig mouths the N-word—a moment TikTok users were quick to spotlight, sparking a heated debate online. “How can someone who represents global unity be so tone-deaf?” one user commented, while others defended her, citing artistic expression.
Theilvig, 23, has yet to respond publicly to the criticism.
Theilvig’s victory had already generated mixed reactions, with conservatives celebrating her as a symbol of resistance to “woke culture.” Donald Trump Jr. shared his approval on X, formerly Twitter: “Biological & objectively attractive women are allowed to win beauty pageants again. WE ARE SO BACK!!!”
Her win follows a significant shift in the pageant’s inclusivity policies. Under previous owner Donald Trump, transgender women were first allowed to compete in 2012. The pageant’s new leadership, Thai business mogul Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, expanded eligibility further in 2023, removing age limits and welcoming married and divorced women.
Despite these changes, critics argue the inclusivity is largely performative. In a leaked video from 2023, Jakrajutatip admitted that contestants from diverse backgrounds were allowed to compete but were unlikely to win. “This is a communication strategy,” she said. “They can compete, but they cannot win. Social inclusion, as people would say.”
Jakrajutatip’s comments resurfaced following Theilvig’s win, with many pointing to her remarks in a joint interview after the competition. “Evolution? We have blond and blue eyes, so we’re coming to the ultimate evolution already,” Jakrajutatip said, a statement widely condemned as tone-deaf and exclusionary.
The Miss Universe pageant has faced a string of controversies over the years. Theilvig’s predecessor, R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA, faced backlash for allegedly being favored by the judges. This year’s competition also made headlines as Marina Machete of Portugal became the first transgender woman to place in the top 20.
Public opinion remains divided. Some see Theilvig’s win as a return to traditional beauty standards, while others view it as a setback for the pageant’s stated goal of celebrating diversity.
As the debate rages on, Theilvig’s silence on the lip-sync incident has only added fuel to the fire. With the pageant under more scrutiny than ever, many are calling for a deeper reckoning with its values and representation.
For now, the crown weighs heavy on its new bearer.
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Her critics are insane.
!3%ers will ALWAYS find something to complain about!
As many blacks as say that word they want white people trained like DOGS can say, and what they cannot say. She won, that’s all that matters. They will try to drag her down though.. because she is a beautiful and intelligent white woman.
If Trump can be pardoned; what’s the problem. She’s fine!