The semifinals of Miss Universe 2024, held on the morning of November 15 (Vietnam time) at Arena CDMX, Mexico, brought together 127 contestants from around the globe to compete in the national costume, swimwear, and evening gown categories.  

Following the national costume round, the contestants participated in the swimwear segment, showcasing confidence, poise, and performance skills. Each wore elegantly designed swimsuits that highlighted their toned physiques and unique personal styles.  

During this segment, contestants introduced themselves and shared insights about their work while performing on stage. Some competitors drew attention for various reasons: Armenia's overly theatrical performance, Bahrain and Bangladesh's modest attire in line with cultural norms, and the Dominican Republic’s impressive stage presence. Meanwhile, Guyana stumbled slightly on stage.  

Ky Duyen’s swimwear performance:  

Vietnamese representative Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen aimed to showcase her toned figure and radiant demeanor. However, her performance received lukewarm reactions from the audience, as her smile seemed strained, her walk lacked allure, and her overall delivery lacked a striking highlight.  

The evening gown round was a dazzling spectacle, with contestants wearing intricately designed dresses featuring luxurious materials such as silk and satin, and embellished with exquisite gemstones. Designer Nguyen Minh Tuan revealed that eight contestants - including those from Costa Rica, Samoa, Gibraltar, China, the Cayman Islands, Croatia, the US Virgin Islands, and Ecuador - wore his creations during this segment.  

However, the evening gown segment also faced criticism. The limited time allotted to each contestant restricted their ability to showcase their dresses effectively. Contestants were divided into groups of six, appearing on stage simultaneously. They presented their gowns briefly when their country was announced before quickly exiting backstage. This format diluted the attention each gown deserved and made it difficult for the audience to appreciate the intricate details.  

This rushed presentation was attributed to the extended livestream, which combined the national costume and semifinal rounds, forcing organizers to adjust the schedule. As a result, the evening gown segment felt hurried and lacked the grandeur expected.  

For the evening gown segment, Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen wore a dress inspired by the Scorpio zodiac sign, designed by Do Long. The gown combined mesh, simulated leather, sparkling gemstones, and sequins for a radiant effect. However, the restricted performance time prevented Ky Duyen from fully showcasing the outfit. Despite her central position on stage, she had only enough time to pose briefly before exiting, leaving the audience unable to fully appreciate the gown's intricate details.  

An international news outlet commented that this year’s Miss Universe production lacked impact. Miss Grand International was praised for offering free live streaming and superior production quality, surpassing Miss Universe.  

Miss Universe 2024 faced further backlash for confining contestants to the hotel, failing to deliver on grand promises, and offering a lackluster show that fell short of initial expectations. The semifinals were derided as subpar, resembling a second-rate program.  

Additionally, the competition disappointed viewers by not allowing contestants to experience Mexican culture. Excessive promotion of Miss Universe’s chairwoman and CEO across official platforms annoyed the audience, who urged organizers to focus more on the contestants - the true stars of the event.  

Minh Nghia