The swimwear competition stage of the Miss Grand Vietnam 2026 pageant has ignited fierce debate following participant Emura Pham's pose in front of the pool. Some viewers criticized the display for being overly revealing, while others defended it as a simple gymnastic move that showcased individuality.
According to the organizers of Miss Grand Vietnam 2026, the committee confirmed that one participant added or altered movements during the swimwear competition, which deviated from the dress rehearsal. They stated that they would enhance training, rehearsal, and oversight processes moving forward.
Mixed Reactions to Poolside Pose
The controversy began during the swimwear segment, 'Best in Swimsuit,' held on July 23 in Ho Chi Minh City. In this round, participants introduced themselves with their names, numbers, and representing organizations while demonstrating stage presence, expression, and readiness in swimwear.
The stage setup included participants pausing to pose for the camera. The second pose location was at the pool's edge, where most contestants struck relatively simple poses. In contrast, Emura Pham supported herself on the pool's edge and performed a push-up-like move, leaving a distinct impression compared to her peers.
This scene quickly spread online after the event. A video of Emura Pham's walk and pose garnered over 500,000 views, 3,000 reactions, and hundreds of comments within just two hours. Some netizens pointed out that the exposure and emphasis on her physique were excessive, while others argued that it was merely a gymnastic move and that the criticism was unwarranted.
Commentary was sharply divided. One user remarked, "It was more awkward than sexy," while another noted, "I had a good impression from previous performances, but this was too much." Conversely, some comments praised the beautiful background and the quality of the video, asserting that the poolside move was simply a gymnastic action that might have appeared provocative due to the bikini. Another user highlighted Emura Pham's mixed heritage and unique charm as a representative of Vietnam.
Organizers Address the Controversy
As the controversy escalated, the organizers clarified that the participant's official stage movements differed from the pre-event checks. A committee representative told the Vietnam Youth Newspaper, "During rehearsals and dress rehearsals, the committee and professional panel require participants to adequately demonstrate their skills, movements, and stage intentions. Feedback, advice, and adjustments are made based on this to ensure the performance aligns with competition standards and overall direction."
They added, "However, on the day of the official competition, one participant added or changed some movements compared to what was presented during the dress rehearsal." The committee explained that these changes might stem from the participant's stage strategy or creative attempts but emphasized that all performances must undergo concept review and rehearsal completion.
The organizers also expressed their commitment to respecting participants' individuality and creativity. However, they stated that they would minimize changes outside of agreed-upon content to maintain the competition's professionalism, consistency, and program direction. The committee plans to incorporate audience and media feedback to ensure more organized and professional stages in future rounds.
Meanwhile, Emura Pham reportedly did not make it into the top five of the Best in Swimsuit category despite the controversy. Born in 2000, her real name is Pham Chan Phuong. She was born to a British father and a Vietnamese mother and returned to Ho Chi Minh City after completing her studies in the United States. She graduated from the International School of Ho Chi Minh City and completed an Associate in Arts degree at Irvine Valley College in California. Since early this year, she has been preparing for Miss Grand Vietnam 2026 by learning Vietnamese and stage techniques.
Miss Grand Vietnam 2026 marks its fifth season this year. The preliminary round took place on June 19 in Ho Chi Minh City, and the semifinals will be held on July 28 alongside the Grand National Costume competition. The finals are scheduled for July 31 in Ho Chi Minh City, where the winner will represent Vietnam at the Miss Grand International pageant in November 2027.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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