23-9-2024 (SINGAPORE) 26-year-old Charlotte Chia was crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2024 on Sunday evening, marking a new era for the competition. This year’s pageant broke traditional moulds, implementing sweeping changes that eliminated age restrictions and opened doors to married women and mothers.
The reforms, announced in July, resulted in a diverse pool of contestants, with applicants ranging up to 62 years of age. This shift in criteria allowed for a more inclusive representation of Singaporean women, challenging long-held stereotypes in the pageant world.
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Chia, a public relations account executive by day and communications director for the Singapore Women’s Association by night, expressed her gratitude upon winning the coveted title. “I am so grateful, so thankful for the opportunity. I will do my best to live up to this responsibility,” she said, dedicating her victory to her mother and grandmother.
The newly crowned beauty queen, who also clinched the Miss Body Beautiful title, is set to represent Singapore at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico City on 16 November. Her win comes with a cash prize of S$10,000 and a smile makeover procedure valued at S$25,000 from Orchard Scotts Dental.
In a testament to the pageant’s newfound inclusivity, the runner-up position was secured by 29-year-old Adelene Stanley, a single mother to a two-year-old daughter. Stanley, the founder of movement collective The Dance Circus, has previously performed for the British Royal Family at the Royal Variety Performance.
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Reflecting on her participation, Stanley said, “I think it’s really awesome that Miss Universe Singapore has opened up to include and consider more women who are in my position. Choosing to do this gives me another opportunity to show my daughter what a strong woman can be. More importantly, I want to show her that anything is possible.”
Elaine Daly, the national director of Miss Universe Singapore, expressed her enthusiasm for the competition’s new direction. “The journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we are thrilled to witness the culmination of this effort. We are immensely excited to see Miss Universe Singapore take the global stage at the finals in Mexico and represent the heart and spirit of Singapore with grace and pride.”
This year’s pageant not only showcased the beauty and talent of Singaporean women but also highlighted the evolving nature of beauty competitions worldwide. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, Miss Universe Singapore 2024 has set a new standard for pageants, challenging traditional norms and celebrating women from all walks of life.
