Vietnamese representative predicted to reach Miss Universe Top 20 despite group chat controversy

The controversy centers on alleged private messages in which contestants criticized judges, fellow participants and Miss Universe Vietnam 2024 winner Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen.

Quynh Anh remains officially listed as Vietnam’s representative for Miss Universe 2026 on the pageant’s official website.

Beauty pageant website Sash Factor predicts that she will finish 13th in the competition.

The website ranks Venezuela’s representative as the leading contender for the crown, followed by contestants from Colombia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Chile in its projected Top 5.

Parade of Beauty, another international beauty pageant website, predicts that Quynh Anh will finish 14th.

The controversy involving Quynh Anh erupted on Monday when messages allegedly taken from a private group chat began circulating on social media. The conversations contained critical comments about several contestants and other people associated with the pageant.

Some online discussions identified Miss Universe Vietnam 2024 winner Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen among those mentioned in the conversations.

Ky Duyen and Quynh Anh competed in Miss Universe Vietnam 2024, when Ky Duyen won the crown and Quynh Anh finished as first runner-up.

The controversy also involved comments questioning a judge’s competence and discussing the private life of fourth runner-up Trinh Hong Dang.

Quynh Anh and first runner-up Trinh My Anh, who also participated in the group chat, apologized on their personal social media accounts on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Miss Universe Vietnam 2026 organizers issued a statement on their official Facebook page, saying they had taken note of information about messages circulating on social media concerning contestants in the pageant.

They said they would coordinate with Five6 Entertainment and relevant parties to verify the information and establish a basis for appropriate consideration and action.

The controversy emerged just 10 days after the Miss Universe Vietnam 2026 grand finale, held in Hai Phong City in northern Vietnam on the evening of October 2. Quynh Anh won the crown, while My Anh was named first runner-up.

Miss Universe 2026 is scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico, marking the 75th anniversary of the international beauty pageant.