Who is Bernadette Belle Ong? Miss Universe Singapore Calling Out Asian Hate

Bernadette Belle Ong, a Singaporean model and actor advocated against spreading Asia hate.

She posted a picture of herself wearing a red bikini, high boots, and a long cape with the colours of Singapore's flag with the words: "Stop Asian Hate". "What is the platform for if I can't use it to send a strong message of resistance against prejudice and violence?" was the caption for her photo.

Bernadette Belle Ong brought the Singaporean flag to focus, by calling out hate crimes. "It symbolises unity for all and social harmony in a multi-racial, multi-cultural and inter-religious country," she said in her Instagram account. "I wear my country proud and strong! Majulah Singapura!!!"

Here's what we know about Bernadette Belle Ong:

1. Bernadette Belle Ong is a Singaporean model, actor.
2. She was born to Chinese parents and was raised in the Philippines.
3. Her family then shifted to Singapore, when she was 10 years old. She later studied in Australia.
4. In 2019, she competed in the Miss Universe Singapore. She then won the Miss Charm Singapore 2019 title.
5. Bernadette Belle Ong then represented Singapore in the Miss Charm International 2019 pageant.
6. She was one of the models selected to compete for the Miss Universe 2020 pageant. However, the event was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will now be held on 16 May 2021.
7. In an interview, Ong revealed that she had started pageantry when she was in university. She ended up winning a competition in 2014 and went back to working in events, production, etc.
8. Besides Ong, various other Miss Universe candidates have upped the ante for the national costume competition. Myanmar’s candidate Thuzar Wint Lwin had raised a "Pray for Myanmar" banner at the end of her walk.
9. She highlighted the turmoil going on in the country after the military ousted the Aung San Suu Kyi government.