Miss Lebanon 2022, Yasmina Zaytoun, is competing in Miss Universe this weekend.
Held in New Orleans, Louisiana, Yasmina was seen wearing an outfit designed by Charbel Zoe aimed at representing the Lebanese cedar.
The outfit incorporated metal pieces to symbolize “warrior strength.”
Yasmina posted the picture to her Instagram describing it: “We are Warriors! Even one of the biggest explosions in history didn’t stop us from dreaming and succeeding🇱🇧 Because we are like the cedar strong, unbreakable, and resilient!”
Her caption did attract criticism for incorporating the Beirut Port Blast.
Emmy-nominated writer and director, Lucien Boujeily, said ” don’t think it is appropriate to refer to the august 4th explosion as if it was a challenge we had to overcome to reach “success”…”
Hanane Tabet wrote “Good luck but it’s so inappropriate and tasteless to slide the August 4 explosion in your caption. Most of us haven’t overcome the trauma yet.”
Nayla Rassy said, “August 4 is a tragedy that can not and should not be even mentioned in your beauty pageant caption.”
However, hundreds of people left supportive comments and tens of thousands liked her post.
This isn’t the first time Miss Lebanon competes in Miss Universe. In 1971, Georgina Rizk won Miss Universe.
To support Miss Lebanon Yasmina Zaytoun at Miss Universe, simply download the Miss Universe app at the Google Playstore or Appstore. Then pick Yasmina Zaytoun. Or by tweeting with the hashtags #MissUniverse #Lebanon.