Staying true to the theme “Hip, Urban, Relevant and Real”, the search for the next promising beauty queen has started. Although many have stopped following beauty pageants because they are deemed irrelevant in this day and age, there is still a steady fan following.
And so, the show will go on.
Malaysia has a diverse group of 18 finalists this year, following a nationwide search in June last year in Sabah, Sarawak, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur.
Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (MUMO) national director and Miss Universe Malaysia 2003 Elaine Daly said the finalists made up the many ethnic groups in the country and included two national sportswomen — a national fencer, Laura Simon, and sprinter, Tanalaksiumy.
“When I was a mentor to former Miss Universe Malaysia Carey Ng in 2013, I was not able to witness the whole process. The difference this time around is that I get to see them from the beginning until they’re transformed into individuals in a league of their own.”
Contestant Savina Vanan, 23, said when she was young, she had taken part in children’s pageants and had always wanted to try out for Miss Universe Malaysia.
“I’ve been interested in beauty pageants for as long as I can remember. My mum and aunt used to put me in kids’ pageants.
“Televised international pageants became a family affair and I remember my cousin and I imitating the catwalk from the beautiful confident women on TV. After finishing my studies, I finally took the plunge, and here I am — one of the contestants for Miss Universe Malaysia 2017.”
The marketing associate said her greatest strength was her mental strength.
“It is not easy to break me. Perhaps, this could be due to the fact that I am the eldest in my family. I have three younger siblings, so it is natural that I became their role model.
“As for my weakness, I think I am my own worst critic. Sometimes, I tend to be overcritical of myself.
“There’s a lot of hope and expectations, and I don’t want to let anybody down, let alone my own self.
“I want to be the best version of myself when I’m on stage during the finals.”
As for her own role models, she admired the late Hollywood actress and humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn, for her strength, Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai for her perseverance, and Michelle Obama for her poise and graceful intelligence.
Trying her luck at the pageant for the second time is actress and model Samantha Katie James, 21.
“I’ve been through a crazy journey in life. I was bullied in school, sent to live with different families and have travelled the world as a model.
“I’ve never met my father and I hope to be someone the younger generation can relate to.
“I am far from perfect but I want to share my story, and share how I overcame obstacles in my life to get to where I am today.”
Standing at 173cm, the Kuala Lumpur-born beauty admitted that her height could be a slight disadvantage. She looks up to Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo as her role model “because she’s a great example to women of any height to not give up on their dreams.”
“Another beauty pageant contestant who proved that one’s height does not matter in winning the title is Miss France, Iris Mittenaere, who won the title this year (she is the same height as James).
She recalled a casting call where she was asked to leave because of her height.
“One time at a fashion show casting call, I was asked to leave because of my height.
“I often get questions like ‘aren’t you a little bit too short to join the pageant?’,” she recalled, adding that being in the finals had proven them all wrong.
James said giving up eating whatever she craved as one of the challenges being in the pageant.
“I am sure this is not the typical answer you get from a pageant contestant, but I’m a foodie. I love local dishes with chilli padi.
“In fact, I’m thinking about a steaming hot plate of nasi lemak right now!”
Another contestant, Michelle Soin, 20, said her initial fear was telling her parents about her desire to join the pageant.
“I was worried that they might disapprove of my decision. But I’m glad it all turned out well and they have been my pillar of strength,” said the student.
Since contestants were required to attend pageant sessions without their phones, she said the opportunity allowed her to appreciate small details in life.
“I actually appreciate my ‘offline’ time. It’s crucial to have time away from social media so that we can pay attention to what’s happening around us.
“I’ve become more engaged with whatever I’m doing.”
For 21-year-old Gina Phillips, it was her elder sister who sparked her interest to audition for the pageant.
“I came across pictures of my sister’s photos when she was in a beauty pageant in 2004. I am following her footsteps,” said the Social Science student.
Phillips said she was struggling with keeping her nerves in check as she prepared for the finals.
“It has not been easy. My biggest fear is that I will not be able to work through my nerves.
“There have been times when I could not deliver my best because of this.
“I’ve come a long way to learn how to manage my nerves, but I’m still worried that they’ll affect my ability to perform.”
Phillips named the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Earhart, for inspiration.
“Her story never fails to empower me. I strive to be able to achieve what she did in her lifetime.
“She was fearless and adventurous, bold and daring, and she didn’t let her gender stop her from fulfilling her passion.
“Her independent spirit helped transform the way the world saw women.”
Another contestant Jaspreet Kaur, 22, named her mother as her role model.
“I’m from a middle-class family where education is given the utmost priority. Everything else is secondary.
“She has influenced my life and helped shape my personality,” said the accounting student about her mother, who was born in India.
“When she came to Malaysia, she didn’t know the language or the culture here.
“For someone who knew only a few English words, she was my first English teacher.
“My mother is a strong woman who had gone through many obstacles in her life to raise her children with good education and manners.”
After years of not hitting the mark, is Malaysia any closer to coveting the elusive crown, or at least making it to the top 10?
“The ball is round. So, we never know what’s going to happen in a competition which is very subjective,” Daly said.
“We are focused on winning the pageant, but equally important is the journey.
“With my experience, I hope to guide the finalists and be part of this experience that could potentially change their lives.”
Conceived 53 years ago, and revamped in 2010 Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (MUMO) is conceptualised to provide a platform for young, ambitious Malaysian women to represent their nation on the international stage, that is Miss Universe.
Miss Universe Malaysia is the longest running pageant in Malaysia, which has crowned women who have done Malaysia proud — Datin Josephine Fonseka, Yasmin Yusoff, Datuk Anna Lim, Elaine Daly, Andrea Fonseka, Nadine Ann Thomas, Deborah Henry, Kimberley Leggett and Carey Ng.
Miss Universe Malaysia 2017 winner will be announced at Majestic Hotel on Feb 23.
Go behind the scene of Miss Universe Malaysia, airing on Diva (Astro CH 702 ) every Wednesday at 8.55pm until Feb 22.