Laos now has their first-ever candidate for the Miss Universe pageant, Laotian model Souphaphone Somvichit. The 21-year-old made history when she was crowned as the country’s first Miss Universe representative during the event which was held at the National Convention Center in Vientiane.

While the Business Administration Comcenter College student is now certainly prepped for the international scene, this isn’t her first time on a big stage. According to Laotian Times, Somvichit already had numerous appearances on various media outlets, including appearing in a music video and even becoming a cover girl for Mahason Magazine.

In fact, Somvichit managed to capture the interest of an even wider audience when she won first runner-up in the 2016 Miss Vientiane pageant. Needless to say, the newly crowned Miss Laos is used to being in the spotlight, as she now joins Cambodia’s first Miss Universe as part of this year’s historic new candidates for the prestigious Miss Universe beauty pageant.

In other historic pageant news, a Muslim woman became the first to wear a traditional garb known as a kaftan during the swimsuit segment of the Miss Universe Great Britain pageant. According to Independent, 27-year-old businesswoman Muna Jama wasn’t comfortable with wearing a swimsuit during the segment that required the attire, but officials allowed her to wear a “cover-up” if she wanted to.

“I wouldn’t wear a bikini to a beach, so I’m not going to wear one in a competition to score points,” Jama said. Jama posted her proud moment on social media as she now feels like she’s “capable of almost anything” after her historic accomplishment.

Feature Image via Instagram / (Left) missgrandslam / (Right) missgrandslam