Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig faces backlash for singing racial slur

Theilvig, who was crowned Miss Universe on November 16 in Mexico City, appeared in the viral video with the Empire State Building in the background, singing along to "Empire State of Mind," which contains the N-word, according to New York Post.

"I can’t believe I’m witnessing this in real time," one social media user commented, with another user writing, "Girl what?!."

Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig. Photo courtesy of Missuniverse's Instagram

"Runner-up, you're up, this one is DONE," one user commented, while another TikTok user questioned whether Theilvig would apologize, 'I feel like she needs to be decrowned an apology is not enough.'

However, some defended Theilvig, arguing that she shouldn't be criticized for singing along to a song by a Black artist. One user on X/Twitter wrote: "A white woman sings a song by a black man and gets called racist by the woke mob.. She has nothing to apologize about."

A spokesperson for the Miss Universe Organization responded, saying Theilvig had not been aware that the lyrics could be offensive and had removed the video once the issue was raised.

"Both Victoria and our team recognize the importance of fostering an environment of respect, inclusivity, and cultural awareness in everything we do," the spokesperson said. "This moment has been a valuable reminder of our responsibility to remain sensitive to the diverse perspectives of our global community."

Theilvig, 21, made history as the first Dane to win the Miss Universe crown, defeating over 120 contestants. She is a competitive dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer.