From a Narrow Escape to a Call for Change
Sue Tran, the reigning Mrs. Universe Asia USA 2025, has opened up about a life-changing moment that nearly ended her life. In an interview conducted in Quezon City, she recalled a terrifying incident on a Georgia freeway in October 2024, describing how a truck struck her Tesla and dragged her vehicle. “I was doing some business transactions for my husband. It was on a freeway. When the truck hit me, it dragged me. I can still see it in my mind. I couldn’t get out of it for some reason. That truck could have fallen on me,” she said, insisting that the memory still haunts her.
“Around October 2024, I was involved in a car accident. I almost died. A truck hit my Tesla. Everything was recorded, and I had those 57 seconds of my life. I said, ‘This is it, God. I love my kids and my husband.’ God gave me a second chance,” Tran added, quoting her thoughts during the harrowing moments of the crash.
A Purpose Beyond Titles
Tran emphasizes that survival has deepened her sense of mission. She frames her near-death experience not as a dramatic turn in her personal story, but as a calling that extends to the larger issue of women’s safety. “Perhaps this is the reason I am here. I have a purpose, and this is my calling. It’s not about having a title. Other queens want a title. But for me, I want to make this platform to make an impact not only for women but for the future generation. You want to break that cycle. You need to tap everyone, not only me, to stop the violence,” she said.
She credits her faith and gratitude for giving her a renewed focus on what matters most: protecting families and empowering women to break cycles of abuse.
The Mrs. Universe Platform: Beyond Glamour to Action
As she prepares for the Mrs. Universe 2025 pageant, scheduled to take place at Okada Manila on October 8, Tran stresses that the competition’s true power lies in its advocacy. “Mrs. Universe is not just about the traditional beauty pageant. It’s about the mission and vision of women. It focuses on women’s empowerment and against domestic violence. I believe in that,” she explained.
Her experiences of supporting domestic violence victims — and witnessing the impact on children — reinforce her belief that someone must raise a voice for those who cannot. “There are so many women today who don’t even know that they are in a narcissistic environment. I, as a woman, even if I am not a victim of domestic violence, have been around victims of domestic violence. I helped them and took care of them. I’ve seen how they suffered. Not only them, but the kids. It becomes a cycle. Somebody has to have a voice for these women,” Tran said, underscoring the pageant’s emphasis on social responsibility over mere aesthetics.
Her commitment to this cause is personal as well as public. She notes that joining Mrs. Universe 2025 offers a platform to amplify messages that can reach broader audiences and inspire concrete actions against domestic violence.
Character Over Glitter: A Belief in Impact
Asked to weigh beauty against character, Tran offered a thoughtful response that reflects the pageant’s ethos. “Character development is more critical because your beauty fades. Your character stays. Many celebrities looked good before, but now that they are older, we have forgotten about their good looks. But the question is, what have you done for humanity?”
Money, Power and Responsibility
In discussing larger societal issues, Tran rejected the idea that money is inherently evil. “Absolutely not. Give me the money, and I can make it look good. It’s always the person spending it. You can use money to make everything good. A study indicates that poverty is a contributing factor to crime. When examining low-income properties and locations, it is more likely that crime rates are higher than in upper-class environments.” She adds that wealth, used responsibly, can empower women and children and help break cycles of poverty and violence. “Money is great. Money is amazing. It can move mountains the right way. It is the user who can make it evil, not the money.”
Looking Ahead
Tran’s near-death experience, her advocacy work, and her upcoming participation in Mrs. Universe 2025 form a cohesive narrative: a queen who embodies resilience, compassion, and a determination to drive social change. She remains focused on fostering a safer environment for women and children, leveraging her platform to advocate for prevention of domestic violence and for empowerment at every level of society.
