In the continuing fallout surrounding the Miss Cosmo 2024 competition, Vietnamese photographer Loi Phuc Pham, widely known as Kieng Can, has issued a public response to Filipina beauty queen Ahtisa Manalo, following her post-competition statements that have stirred widespread debate online. Ahtisa, who placed in the Top 10 at the Miss Cosmo 2024 pageant, has made several remarks in recent weeks expressing disappointment with the outcome and implying bias or unfairness within the judging process. While her sentiments have resonated with a segment of pageant fans, many others including professionals within the Miss Cosmo creative team have criticized her tone and public conduct, prompting Pham to release a pointed statement addressing the matter directly.
In his message, Loi Phuc Pham reflected on the initial admiration his team held for Ahtisa during the competition, noting that the Kieng Can photography group had made every effort to highlight her beauty and elegance throughout the event. However, he candidly expressed that the contestant’s conduct following the competition, particularly her lack of decorum and her comments regarding incidents that impacted other participants, had revealed a level of irresponsibility unbecoming of someone who holds a national title. Pham stated that Ahtisa’s placement in the Top 10 was ultimately justified in light of her post-pageant behavior, emphasizing that external beauty cannot overshadow internal character flaws. His remarks suggest that while Ahtisa was once seen as a standout, her recent actions have unfortunately diminished her standing in the eyes of the organization and many within the pageant community.
The response comes amidst an atmosphere of heightened scrutiny, where pageant figures are increasingly being held accountable not only for their performance onstage but also for their words and actions off it. While criticism and disappointment are natural reactions in a competitive space, pageant insiders continue to emphasize the importance of grace, integrity, and emotional maturity in handling both success and setbacks. Pham’s statement concluded on a firm yet empathetic note, wishing Ahtisa the strength to stand on her own and encouraging self-reflection.
The Miss Cosmo Organization has yet to release an official statement on the matter, but the incident has sparked a broader conversation about pageant ethics, post-competition professionalism, and the evolving standards of beauty queens in the public eye. As international pageantry grows more transparent and digitally driven, the behavior of titleholders both during and after competitions remains under intense global scrutiny.
