HONG KONG — Eight of twelve contestants advanced to the next round of the 2026 Miss Hong Kong pageant finals on Saturday night, while the winner of the “Miss Friendship” award was eliminated, reinforcing a long-standing pattern in the competition.
The live finale, held in Hong Kong on the evening of March 30, saw contestants compete through multiple rounds of challenges and performances. Those moving forward include contestant No. 1 Yuan Siheng, No. 2 Li Zexin, No. 5 Wei Xin, No. 6 Lu Weiqing, No. 7 Yang Yuanyuan, No. 8 Deng Kuangmin, No. 10 Chen Ziying, and No. 11 Yan Yifei.
Notably, contestant No. 3 Li Chengqing, who had earlier won the “Miss Friendship” award, failed to secure a spot among the final eight. Her exit upheld what local media and pageant watchers have dubbed the “Friendship curse”—a tradition in which the recipient of the congeniality prize rarely goes on to win major titles in the same competition.
The 12 candidates had been narrowed down from a larger pool of applicants over several weeks of preliminary judging and training. Saturday’s broadcast featured talent segments, evening gown presentations, and question-and-answer rounds designed to test poise, intelligence, and stage presence.
Organizers have not yet released details on the format for the next phase, but the remaining eight contestants are expected to compete in additional challenges before the final winner is crowned.
A Persistent Pageant Pattern
The so-called “Friendship curse” has been a recurring topic of discussion among fans of the Miss Hong Kong pageant, which has been held annually since 1946. Over the decades, only a handful of “Miss Friendship” winners have gone on to claim the top prize. The pattern has led to speculation that the congeniality award, voted on by fellow contestants, may not align with the criteria used by official judges.
Pageant analyst and former consultant Emily Wong noted that the award is often seen as a consolation prize. “The ‘Miss Friendship’ title is meaningful because it’s chosen by peers, but it rarely translates into victory in the final round,” she said. “Judges focus on different attributes, and the two are often at odds.”
What Comes Next
The remaining eight finalists will continue training and public appearances in preparation for the grand finale, expected in the coming weeks. The winner will receive a cash prize, a wardrobe sponsorship, and the opportunity to represent Hong Kong at international pageants.
For viewers, the elimination of the “Miss Friendship” winner adds an element of unpredictability to the competition’s outcome. Social media discussions have already highlighted the split between fans who support the tradition and those who argue the award should carry more weight.
As the pageant progresses, all eyes will be on the eight remaining candidates—and whether any of them can break the cycle that has kept the “Friendship” winner from ultimate victory.
