Qory Sandioriva

Her participation in Puteri Indonesia 2009 was controversial because she was representing the province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, a conservative Muslim province ruled by Sharia law.[2] Past representatives of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam had always worn a headscarf (hijab), but Sandioriva did not. Sandioriva later explained that despite not wearing a headscarf, she still upheld traditional values and morals – just like the Acehnese heroine she admired, Cut Nyak Dhien.[6]

As the official representative of her country to the 2010 Miss Universe pageant broadcast live from Las Vegas, Nevadaon August 23,[7] Sandioriva participated as one of the 83 delegates who vied for the crown of eventual winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.[8]

When she was asked what was the best advice she could give to a man, she said "I think when you down the women can make you up, and I think the women can be said that "I have advice for you" if you way up, you have to be nice with people, include women, so when you down, women can be nice with you." John Berthelsen of the Jakarta Globe said "Allowing for the fact that she speaks very little English, Sandioriva’s answer makes a certain amount of sense — put simply, that men should recognize that if you occupy a lofty position, you’d better be nice because when you sink, you will need people’s help."[9]