After nearly four years of its launching, the Miss Charm competition took place at the Hoa Binh Theater, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The winner was Brazil´s Luma Russo, with the representative of the Philippines, Annabelle Mae McDonnell, placing 2nd, and Miss Charm Indonesia, Olivia Tan, reaching the 3rd position.
The top 6 finalists included Misses Venezuela, Lady Di Mosquera, Colombia, Juliana Habib Lorduy, and South Africa, Luyanda Zuma.
The representatives of Argentina, Julieta Garcia, Puerto Rico, Alejandra Pagan, Costa Rica, Andrea Montero, and the Dominican Republic, Valentina Campion, were among the Top 10 semi-finalists.
Meanwhile, rounding out the group of 20 quarter-finalists, were Misses Chile, Anahi Hormazabal Garay, China, Li Mengli, Korea, Larissa Han, Malaysia, Shannen Jade Totten, Mexico, Karen Bustos, Ukraine, Anastasiia Panova, Thailand, Patitta Suntivijj, Russia, Anna Baksheeva, Poland, Sylwia Bober, and Vietnam, Thanh Thanh Huyen.
Three international Grand Slam winners joined the judges’ table, including Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova of Canada, Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna of Spain, and Miss International 2012 Ikumi Yoshimatsu of Japan.
The Pageant – The first edition of Miss Charm presented a nicely done final show production, though not quite what had been promised initially, considering the lavishing shows Vietnam puts together for its national pageants. The music wasn´t exciting and the choreography was basic. The parade of nations was a copy of Miss Universe´s, with some confusion in the middle, when the alphabetical order was lost. The presenters made a huge mistake by calling only 19 of the 20 quarter-finalists, having announced the 20th name minutes later. She was no other than Miss Vietnam… There were no black judges and only one black African delegate who “made the cut”. Miss Charm Zambia, for instance, was a “sure bet” based on her preliminary performance but was left on the ice.
The only real innovation we identified was the way the Top 3 finalists were announced, with an artist painting their faces.
On the other hand, the interaction between the presenters and the judges was quite interesting. The smart questions the judges asked the finalists (especially the one for the Top 3), and the fact that the jury´s votes seemed to be respected, were positive aspects of the show as well. The crowning moment was quite exciting and moving. We must also mention that the pre-final activities were very good, meaning that the pageant offered a great experience to all 38 delegates. Pageant fans´ interest on the internet was surprisingly high, considering that Miss Charm is a new pageant. It definitely surpassed the fan base web movement for the past editions of Miss International (which is a Grand Slam pageant), Miss Earth and Miss Intercontinental.
Between the good and the elements that need improvement, including finding its own identity, instead of copying others (when it comes to the final show concept), Miss Charm was off to a good start. We shall see what the future will bring…
The winner – Something else that Miss Charm certainly got right for this first edition, was a winner who combines beauty, brains, and amazing speaking skills. With honest, intelligent, and sharp answers, Brazil´s Luma Russo nailed the final interview rounds and left the judges with no other choice: it had to be her! Russo, 27, was the 2nd runner-up to Miss Supranational Brazil 2021. She replaced Ariely Stoczynski as Miss Charm Brazil last December, having very little time to prepare. Nevertheless, it looks like Russo´s amazing life journey has prepared her for any challenge!
Born in Belo Horizonte, the state of Minas Gerais´ capital city, as the daughter of a stewardess re-married to an airplane pilot, Luma has lived in different countries, including Bolivia, Qatar, the USA, and England. Inspired by her stepfather, she graduated as an airplane pilot at Skymates, in Texas, and then moved to London, where she went further with her studies, becoming a commercial pilot. She´s also a makeup artist and an English professor.
Natalie Glebova asked the Top 3 finalists the same question: “Every morning when you wake up, what do you believe is the meaning of your life? What do you live for?”. Luma blew the judges and the audience away with this epic answer: “If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be freedom. Freedom being… Being able to travel when you want, be who you want, do what you want, be the woman you want to be, follow your dreams, to be able to achieve knowledge, not only academically, but of culture and emotional intelligence. To be able to reach your full potential”.
The Miss Charm organization and women around the globe have indeed a great spokesperson!
Luma will win an impressive US$ 100,000 as a cash prize for her victory.
Much success to her and to this new promising beauty pageant!
