Miss Zahra Khanum: From Hot Fashion Forecast to Cool Confidence
What’s the Deal with the 2018 National Costume?
Three weeks after the controversial Singapore national costume made headlines, Miss Zahra Khanum is still rolling with the punches. The outfit, inspired by the Trump‑Kim summit, sparked a wave of online criticism, but the 23‑year‑old showed she’s not rattled.
“It’s All About Singapore”
- She told The New Paper that the hate came “personal‑ly absent” and that staying upbeat was key in the public eye.
- Zahra said people have strong ideas on how Singapore should look, and she hopes future costumes will tap into that local genius.
Stinging Memes & Durians
When memes over her skirt featured durians – yes, the famously smelly fruit – Zahra laughed it off, noting Singaporeans are “creative” enough to mash a mood‑board with a local snack. She even said the costume ranked among the top‑12 fan favourites on Miss Universe’s Instagram page.
Running the Singapore Flag at Miss Universe Bangkok
Despite her hopes, she didn’t snag a spot in the Top 20. “I was overwhelmed by 93 other contestants who’re basically media insiders,” she admitted. “You’ve got stage experience and cameras constantly in your face.”
What She Wanted to Do
- Make Singapore proud.
- Become a spokesperson for her country.
- Raise your hand to broadening exposure so the next generation of Miss Universe queens from Singapore can win.
The Crown Controversies
While her “personal favourite” for the crown was Miss Puerto Rico Kiara Ortega, Zahra praised the eventual winner, Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, for her “wonderful personality” and charity work with Young Focus.
Commentary from Miss USA
Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers stirred a bit of drama by mockingly poking at Miss Vietnam H’Hen Nie and Miss Cambodia Rern Sinat for their rusty English. Summers’ follow‑up apology spread on Instagram, but the situation did not rupture friendships. “They still hang out with us, and we’re on good terms,” Zahra said.
From Doubt to Empowerment
- She’s grateful for the opportunity to work with Daughters Of Tomorrow, helping women and children.
- Meeting other contestants boosted her confidence and made her feel “not alone” in a world where community matters more than competition.
“Meeting all the Miss Universe contestants has made me grow so much. I had a lot of self‑doubt and insecurity, but now I’ve never been so confident or self‑assured. It’s set a bar for me to do even more in my life,” she shared.
Let’s Keep the Positive Vibes Rolling
Miss Zahra Khanum’s story—about how a flamboyant costume, memes, and a few setbacks turned into a journey of empowerment—reminds us that fashion is just one part of what makes a calendar masterpiece. We’re all in this together, and feeling united is worth more than any crown.
