Miss Spain Angela Ponce draws loud cheers from the audience as she walks the stage after a video about her is played on the show.
- Dec 17, 2018
AceShowbiz - Miss Spain Angela Ponce may not win the 2018 Miss Universe title, but she did get the spotlight at the show. The 26-year-old, who makes history to become the first transgender contestant at the annual pageant show, got a special shout-out at the Monday, December 17 event which is taking place in Bangkok, Thailand.
Before the announcement of the Top 10, Miss Universe played a video dedicated to Ponce, honoring her works and achievements so far. She then graced the stage in a silver two-piece ensemble, drawing loud cheers from the audience. Overwhelmed with emotions, she removed her sash which bore her country's name and lifted up in the air, proudly showing it off as she waved to the crowd.
A walk to remember. A historic night for #MissUniverse. pic.twitter.com/wWT5TmWCRp
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) December 17, 2018
Ponce previously said that if she took the crown, it would be a "win for human rights." She planned to use the title as a platform to speak up for trans kids, particularly drawing attention toward high rates of suicides among trans teenagers and discrimination against them around the world. "If my going through all this contributes to the world moving a little step forward, then that's a personal crown that will always accompany me," she told The Associated Press in Madrid, Spain in July.
Ponce, unfortunately, did not advance to the latter part of the competition.
Meanwhile, Miss USA, who made headlines last week over her alleged racist remarks about fellow contestants Miss Vietnam H'Hen Nie and Miss Cambodia Rern Sinat, made it to the top 20 with wild card. She, however, did not make it through to the top ten.
Fans' favorite, Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, is in the top three along with Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutierrez and Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green.
Steve Harvey is hosting the show for the fourth year in a row, with plus-size model Ashley Graham as co-host.
