Miss Laos Traveled 48 Hours to Compete at Miss Universe

• Miss Laos Payengxa Lor traveled 48 hours to compete at Miss Universe. 
• Lor’s voyage to the competition, which is in New Orleans this year, included five layovers. 
• Lor is the first Miss Laos to make the top 16 in Miss Universe history. 

The Miss Universe competition brings together incredible women from all over the world — and some have to travel much farther distances than others to make it to the pageant stage. 

During the beginning of the 71st annual Miss Universe competition on Saturday, it was revealed that Miss Laos Payengxa Lor had the longest journey. 

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and “Access Hollywood” star Zuri Hall, who served as backstage correspondents for the show, revealed that Lor traveled 48 hours to make the pageant — which is taking place this year in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lor’s voyage included five layovers.

The Miss Universe hosts added that Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel had the shortest journey of all the contestants, driving four hours from her hometown in Houston, Texas. 

Miss Universe hosts Olivia Culpo and Jeannie Mai-Jenkins revealed during the broadcast that Lor was in the top 16, becoming the first Miss Laos to make the semifinals in Miss Universe history. 

Lor is the first Hmong woman to compete in the Miss Universe competition, according to her bio. 

The pageant queen taught herself English and became an English teacher. She works as a motivational speaker, volunteers for underprivileged people, and has a silver medal in taekwondo.