Pageant fever turns toxic: Vietnamese creator’s extreme reaction to Miss Grand International result fuels debate

The final of Miss Grand International 2026 took place in Thailand on October 10, with Tanzania's Jihan Dimack winning the crown and Vietnam's Emoura Pham finishing fourth runner-up.

From pageant passion to destructive behavior

Pham Thoai, a well-known TikToker and also a prominent supporter of beauty pageants in Vietnam, sparked controversy after a video showed him kicking a television following the announcement of the Miss Grand International 2026 results. 

The video quickly drew mixed reactions online. Some viewers criticized Pham Thoai's reaction as excessive, wasteful and unnecessary over the outcome of a beauty pageant.

“What's the TV done wrong?” one commenter asked, while others called the act over-the-top and inappropriate.

Some users also questioned whether the video was intended to attract views. However, these remain viewers’ speculations, with no evidence establishing the motive behind the post or whether the incident was staged.

Others expressed concern that videos showing the destruction of valuable property could send a negative message to younger audiences as such content spreads across social media.

Some commenters also recalled that Pham Thoai had previously faced financial difficulties and appeared on a television program to seek support, arguing that destroying an expensive item was difficult to accept in that context.

When fandom goes too far

As a Vietnamese beauty pageant fan, it is understandable to hope that Vietnam’s representative will win the crown. Pham Thoai was not the only one disappointed by the final result, in which Emoura Pham finished fourth runner-up.

However, disappointment or disagreement with the result does not justify an extreme reaction. Destroying property to express frustration is another matter.

The main concern is not the value of the damaged television, but the fact that the act was filmed and posted on social media, according to critics. Such footage can shock viewers and attract attention. Videos showing property destruction risk turning extreme behavior into a way to gain engagement online.

Everyone has the right to express their emotions in their own way, but they also have a responsibility to the community, especially KOLs and public figures with large online followings. Personal joy or disappointment should not become a reason to encourage destructive or other negative behavior on social media.