Miss Grand International 2020 Abena Appiah gave advise to the contestants of 69th Miss Universe during her IG live chat on Saturday evening, May 15th.
"Yes, I would say ignore the haters. Let the haters hate. The haters are going to hate no matter what. There's nothing you can do to pleased a hater," said Appiah.
She also advised the candidates to just focus on themselves.
"So just focus on you. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. You are on that big stage in front of millions of people. Take that opportunity. Capitalize on it and make the best out of it," she said.
"Don't let any hater bring you down because they complain about your national costume, they complain about your evening gown, they complain about you. It's not important. What's important is for you to soak up that moment and live your dream because they only comes at once. So take advantage of it."
Before winning the Miss Grand International title last month, Abena was a pageant veteran joining numerous international contests.
She represented Ghana in Miss Universe 2014 along with Miss Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa. While Lastimosa made it to Top 10, Abena was unplaced.
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| Abena Appiah, Miss Universe Ghana 2014, competes on stage in her evening gown during the Miss Universe Preliminary Show at the FIU Arena on Wednesday January 21st. The 63rd Annual MISS UNIVERSEΠ Pageant contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Doral-Miami, Florida. |
She then joined Miss Earth 2019 in Manila representing Ghana which she reached as one of the Top 20 semifinalists.
Representing USA, she is the first woman of color to win the Miss Grand International title. Miss Philippines Samantha Bernado was her first runner-up.