Miss Thailand, Anntonia Porsild, ended up as the first runner-up at this year’s Miss Universe 2023 competition, along with Miss Australia Moraya Wilson, who was adjudged the second runner-up, and the eventual winner, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios.
During the final question round, the top three contestants were asked the same question, which eventually led to them taking the spots that they did at the end.
The question was: “If you could live one year in another woman’s shoes, who would you choose and why?”
The 27-year-old Thai model instantly answered, "I would choose Malala Yousafzai because I know the struggles she had to deal with in order to get to where she is today.”
"She (Malala) had to fight for women's education and fight for all women to be able to stand strong and be the change and lead by example. If I could choose anyone, that would be her," she added.
Internet users were quick to hail Miss Thailand for her answer, and some even questioned why she could not be the winner.
To the same question, the Miss Universe winner, Miss Nicaragua, said she would choose Mary Wollstonecraft, the pioneering British writer and advocate for women's rights, highlighting her significant contributions to opening doors for women's equality.
"I would choose Mary Wollstonecraft because she was the first woman who opened the gaps towards women's rights," she said.
Miss Australia, who ended up as the second runner-up, chose her mother in the answer, saying she was a "very strong" woman.
"She is tough. She has taught me how to work hard. She taught me how to be brave and how to be strong and I'm forever grateful for the lessons she had taught me.”
The 72nd edition of Miss Universe competition was held in El Salvador on Sunday morning, with over 80 participants vying for the title and crown.
