What should have been a triumphant moment for Miss USA Midori Monet, the first Black trans woman from the United States to win the Miss International Queen 2025 title, instead turned into a viral controversy after her crowning was met with coldness on stage.
The annual pageant, held in Pattaya, Thailand, is recognized as the world’s largest and most prestigious beauty competition for transgender women, showcasing talent, advocacy, and representation.
But this year, the crowning moment exposed deep divisions and raised conversations about race, inclusion, and respect in pageant culture.
A Frosty Reception
When Monet was announced as the winner, the crowd erupted, but the contestants’ reactions told another story. Instead of surrounding Monet, many of the other women swarmed to embrace Miss Cuba, Olivia Lauren, the visibly disappointed first runner-up.
Clips of the moment quickly spread across TikTok and Instagram, sparking outrage.
“The fact that most of the women ran to the runner-up and not the winner speaks volumes,” one user commented. “This is exactly what Black women face every day.”
Others pointed out that Lauren had now lost to Monet twice—once at Miss International Queen USA and again on the international stage.
Allegations and Counterclaims
The situation escalated when Miss Cuba accused Monet and another contestant, Miss Vietnam, of “bullying” her throughout the competition. In a post-pageant interview, Lauren claimed:
“The two that you see standing next to me have made it impossible for me to enjoy 100% of it. They have tortured me throughout the whole thing, as well as my other sisters, each and every single day.”
She described her experience as “very sour,” insisting she was standing her ground to speak her truth.
Monet, however, responded with poise, rejecting the negativity.
“There is so much hate going around. There is so much envy, bitterness, jealousy—all the things that plague this world. I want you to know that it’s okay to believe in yourself,” she said in her interview. “Karma is real. Love is real. It’s not about what you do, but about how you make people feel.”
Social Media Reactions
The incident triggered widespread debate online. Some argued that Lauren’s claims reflected “sour grapes,” while others pointed to potential racial undertones in the way Monet was treated.
TikTok creator Timothais observed:
“If Miss Cuba had won, we wouldn’t have known anything about what happened to her backstage.”
Other users suggested Lauren may have been the real aggressor, with one writing:
“I really think Cuba was the bully, probably with microaggressions. And Miss USA and the 2nd runner up were not having it.”
Still, Monet earned praise for handling the controversy with dignity. As one fan wrote:
“Style and grace transcends it all. She won for that reason. Congratulations to that beautiful Black queen.”
An Apology and Moving Forward
In the wake of the backlash, Miss Cuba later issued an apology to Monet, calling the ordeal a misunderstanding.
While some fans accepted the apology, others maintained that the damage had already been done, overshadowing what should have been a groundbreaking celebration for Monet.
Despite the drama, Midori Monet’s historic win marks a powerful moment for Black transgender women in pageantry—reminding the world why representation and inclusion matter.
