Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun. Photo from Miss Universe website

For Miss Universe Myanmar Htet Htet Htun, the road to becoming a beauty queen was not all smooth sailing.

In a moving interview, the 24-year-old Htun recalled the struggles she experienced representing her country in the Miss Universe pageant.

While other candidates had the support of their families and respective countries, Htun fended for her own.

Starting out in the modelling industry, Htun said little help from her loved ones motivated her to work hard so she can finance her education and wardrobe for modelling.

“Sometimes when I go to the events, some trainings for the models, there’s no tiny, small money,” Htun said.

Unlike other contestants, Htun said she had to train herself personally in the rules of pageantry and modelling since she did not have enough resources and support.

“And to be the same as the other models, to be the same as the other girls, I have to train a lot by myself,” she said.

These challenges however did not stop Htun from pursuing her dream and instead used it as a source of strength to win Miss Universe Myanmar.

“I want to show that I can do it, I can make it, I believe myself,” she said.

“I can do it if I really wanted to so now I can prove it. Now I’m here, I’m Miss Myanmar. I can represent my country. I can prove to my family, to my country, also all over the world, I can do it,” a visibly emotional Htun added.

At present, Htun owns an event management company and also conducts her own DJ classes for beginner students.

Htun’s advice to young girls?

“You have a dream and if you really want to do it, whoever stops you don’t let them stop you. Keep going,” she said.

Htun, who is hoping to become the first Miss Universe titleholder from Myanmar, will compete with more than 80 women from different countries to win the sought-after crown.