Why is Mai Phuong Thuy causing controversy?

Hanoi [Vietnam], September 5: After posting an article with words of encouragement for Bao Ngoc ahead of the finals, Mai Phuong Thuy sparked controversy because of her comments about her junior.
Ahead of the Miss World 2026 final, Mai Phương Thúy attracted attention by sharing a picture of Bảo Ngọc, along with a message of encouragement for her younger colleague on her journey to the finals. It's worth noting that Mai Phương Thúy herself participated in this competition 20 years ago, reaching the top 17. However, her post received mixed reactions from netizens.
Specifically, via her personal page, Mai Phuong Thuy stated that "although I've never found Bao Ngoc very beautiful," she believes her junior "has so many other qualities to compensate." The 8X beauty queen praised Bao Ngoc's photo in the "Sunlight on the Sky" outfit at the Dance Of The World competition in Nha Trang, adding a message: "Wear the crown tomorrow, my dear. If I accidentally criticized you, it was just because I was jealous, please don't hold it against me."
This post quickly went viral on social media, sparking debate. Many people argued that Mai Phuong Thuy's comment about her junior colleague, saying "although I've never thought Bao Ngoc was very pretty," was inappropriate to share publicly on social media. One user wrote: "Didn't she just blurt it out and then not delete it? She probably thought it was funny." Another user wrote: "This could have been done privately, but this kind of encouragement is unfair to Bao Ngoc."
However, some defended her, arguing that it was just a joke from Mai Phuong Thuy to encourage her junior before the finals. One user commented: "Even though I didn't like her previous statement, this one seems normal. She herself admitted that the criticism was just jealousy." Another user wrote: "Why are people taking it so seriously? She was clearly just joking. She meant that people acknowledge Bao Ngoc's beauty."
This isn't the first time Mai Phuong Thuy has been involved in controversy on social media. Previously, a live stream where the 8X beauty openly admitted to being drunk attracted a lot of attention. Some viewers argued that as a celebrity, she needed to be more mindful of her public image. In response to the criticism, Mai Phuong Thuy apologized for the incident.
As for Bao Ngoc, she is currently actively training and preparing for the final night on September 5th. Previously, the 10X beauty won the Top Model Asia-Oceania region, securing a direct spot in the Top 40. In addition, she also made it to the Top 20 of the Head to Head Challenge and the Top 24 of Beauty With The Purpose. With these achievements, Bao Ngoc is expected to go far in the Miss World 2026 beauty pageant.
Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper