TRANSCRIPT: Miss Cosmo 2024 Top 5 Q&A

(From left) Miss Cosmo 2024’s Top 5 finalists Bùi Thị Xuân Hạnh of Vietnam, Samantha Jo Elliott of USA, Karnruethai Tassabut of Thailand’s, Romina Lozano of Peru and reigning titleholder Ketut Permata Juliastrid of Indonesia. Image: Facebook/Miss Cosmo

One of the highlights of the first edition of the Miss Cosmo 2024 pageant, which was held at the Saigon Riverside Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Saturday, Oct. 5, witnessed the Top 5 taking on the grueling question-and-answer portion.

Before the reigning Miss Cosmo 2024 Ketut Permata Juliastrid and her runner-up Karnruethai Tassabut challenged each other in the final debate, the final five candidates were asked to share their two cents on questions covering sustainability, the pageant’s brand, technology, and respect toward the LGBTQIA+ youth, among other topics.

Here’s how the Top 5 finalists fared in the question-and-answer portion:

Ketut Permata Juliastrid of Indonesia, Miss Cosmo 2024

Miss Cosmo 2024 is a beauty pageant that not only emphasizes intellect and beauty but also sustainability. What is your contribution to a sustainable society?

My skills, I am equipped with all the skills being Puteri Indonesia of Tourism. I have an advocacy — it is in sustainable tourism where I try to preserve culture because I believe that culture is an important aspect for all of us in order to be who we really are. Growing up in Bali, I’m surrounded by great traditional culture. It made me the woman I am today. And I have worked with local artisans not only giving economic opportunities but also giving them a platform for the younger generations to take pride in their own culture, like how I take pride in my own culture. I am a Balinese and I will continue to say that I am a proud Balinese. I am a proud Indonesian and I am here to make Indonesia proud today. Thank you.

Karnruethai Tassabut of Thailand, Miss Cosmo 2024 runner-up

I’m wondering, if you win tonight, you will be the first-ever Miss Cosmo International. And you will have a big role in defining this new brand. In 20 years from now, what do you want the legacy of Miss Cosmo to be?

As the first Miss Cosmo 2024, I am absolutely honored to have that title. But it’s important to use that and use the platform wisely. For example, in this year, we have so many activities related to communication. For me, myself, I work with the local farmers in my hometown. We always think of to move big in the future but actually, it start within ourselves. It is very important to know that the change start within you. Take the initiative to make the change, and remember that legacy is all the matter of the first step — just like the first year of the Miss Cosmo. Thank you very much.

Romina Lozano of Peru, Miss Cosmo 2024 Top 5

How would you use technology to drive impactful beauty?

That’s a good question. We all know that technology has impact in our daily life. As the queen of beauty in my city and my country, I would [like to] represent sustainable life. And like a woman for a rainforest in my country, the weak environment and the problem of our rivers in my country.

Samantha Jo Elliott of the United States of America, Miss Cosmo 2024 Top 5

What initiatives would you champion to create a safer environment for the LGBTQ+ youth who face discrimination?

As someone who has faced bullying firsthand, as you can tell, I’m very tall. It didn’t make well for my childhood but I understand how those LGBTQ students feel and not feeling safe going to school. And so as Miss Cosmo, it’s important that when you go to events, you’re welcoming, you’re inviting, you’re making sure that everyone you see feels safe and feels heard. And that is a legacy that I would love to carry as Miss Cosmo. Thank you.

Bùi Thị Xuân Hạnh of Vietnam, Miss Cosmo 2024 Top 5

Should someone be successful in order to be impactful?

I will answer this question in English. With me, a successful can give the powerful beauty to everybody because they have to work hard and do believe in what they want, and what they want to do. So when they [become successful], that means they have to work hard and do believe in [themselves]. And that’s the reason why they can give, inspire to another and I believe that me, if I’m Miss Cosmo 2024, I can work hard and I can act, not just talk and I can do everything and I believe in myself. I can work hard more for charity, community, and I am Vietnamese. Thank you.