Macao’s Cassandra Chiu was named one of 30 finalists at the Miss Universe beauty pageant, which took place in Mexico City over the weekend.
Chiu, 23, was the first entrant from Macao in the history of the competition, which was won by Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark. The first and second runners up respectively were Chidimma Adetshina of Nigeria and Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico.
Chiu, a University of Macau graduate of Macanese ethnicity, saw her participation in the pageant as a way of promoting her native city.
[See more: Nine questions for Cassandra Chiu, the first ever Macao contestant in Miss Universe]
In an Instagram post, made last week after a closed-door interview with the Miss Universe selection committee, Chiu wrote: “I’m still in disbelief that I’m here, representing not just myself, but all of Macao! It’s such an honour for our city to participate in this competition, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. Being a part of this amazing group of women is truly inspiring.”
She added: “I hope I’m making you all proud back home.”
Chiu arrived in Mexico City on 29 October, having completed lengthy preparations that included classes on catwalk technique and makeup, a photo shoot in Malaysia, and dress fittings in the Philippines. “I never imagined that Macao would have the opportunity to participate in Miss Universe,” she told Macao News in an interview last month, “so discovering that there was a chance was truly emotional for me.”
