Thomas Tan
The Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (MUMO) announced the Top 18 finalists of the Next Miss Universe Malaysia 2019 at the auditorium of MyEG Tower, Empire City in Petaling Jaya on 11th January 2019.
The Top 18 finalists were selected following a series of auditions held in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in search of candidates who embodied the values and attributes of Miss Universe Malaysia.
“Once again, we searched the nation and found 18 young ladies from all over Malaysia who have shown us that they possess something special in them to make the final cut, in a step towards wearing the Miss Universe Malaysia crown,” said MUMO national director Datin Elaine Daly.
“It is an honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of mentoring and guiding these young ladies, and preparing them for the world stage. We are committed to bringing out the best in them by challenging them to discover their personal strengths, and pushing them beyond their comfort zone so that they can achieve more than they ever thought they were capable of.
“The 18 finalists are currently undergoing Boot Camp Week where all of them are living together and going through a series of training sessions including makeovers, catwalk training, fitness sessions, makeup workshops, photo shoots, and a number of challenges. The competition is expected to be stiff, and all the girls will need to have strong spirit and mind to get through this gruelling week,” she said.
The Next Miss Universe Malaysia 2019 Top18 finalists will be featured on online lifestyle channel, www.hurr.tv consisting of six episodes of their personal profiles to be aired starting 2nd February to 7th February 2019, and followed by 12 episodes of their journey leading to the crowning of Miss Universe Malaysia 2019 from Fridays to Sundays starting 8th February 2019. These webisodes will also be available on the MUMO YouTube channel and hurr.tv app.
Miss Universe Malaysia 2019 will be crowned on 7th March 2019 at the Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. She will receive a cash prize and sponsored prizes worth a total value of RM180,000 and a full education scholarship from HELP University, and will go on to represent the county at the Miss Universe pageant at a yet-to-be-revealed location.
The Miss Universe Malaysia 2019 pageant with the theme of ‘Beauty Beyond You’ is presented by main partners Auto Bavaria and Malaysia Airlines Berhad.
One of the contestants, 26-year old youth development executive Cassandra Devi Jeremiah from Penampang, Sabah said her most interesting life experience in Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was gaining more knowledge regarding the football industry in a management perspective.
“It makes me open my mind towards wanting to learn more in order to achieve the quality standards of the development of youth football,” she said.
Cassandra or better known as Cassie joined the FAM after recently completed her degree in Sports Science (Sports Management) from the University of Malaya. She was a former Malaysia women’s football goalkeeper.
“As a youth development executive in FAM, I basically work under the head of youth unit Datuk Ong Kim Swee, who is also the head coach of the Malaysia under-23 national football team. Our unit is in-charge of all youth team and development of youths in football throughout whole Malaysia,” said Cassie.
A self-professed ‘kampung’ girl, this mixed Kadazan-Dusun-Chinese-Indian beauty is a goal-oriented, passionate, hardworking and determined young lady who enjoys sports, outdoor activities and karaoke.
“I believe this is the platform for me to venture into the entertainment industry and at the same time to fight for my cause and advocacy,” she said on her reason for wanting to become the Next Miss Universe Malaysia 2019.
Cassie is excited to be a finalist in The Next Miss Universe Malaysia 2019 and is going all out to prove her worth.
“I was in shock when I received an email from MUMO stating that I am one of the finalist this year. I am beyond grateful and blessed as I am given the opportunity to go through the journey of becoming The Next Miss Universe Malaysia. It’s an overwhelming feeling.
“My preparations would involve proper training on workouts, catwalks, public speaking and so on. As I believe that being in the running to be the Next Miss Universe Malaysia, a person must be ready in all aspects, whether it is physically or even mentally as the title itself holds a huge responsibility. So by these preparations, I believe that it will be a way for me to be ready for the unexpected,” she said.
The 173cm (5’ 8”) tall beauty has competed in a number of pageants before, including winning the title of Miss Tourism Queen International Malaysia 2016, Best in National Costume in Miss Tourism Queen International 2016 held in China, second runner-up in Miss Global Intercontinental Malaysia 2016, second runner-up in Miss World Malaysia 2014, first runner-up in Sabah Model Of The Year 2013 (Season 3) and winner of Miss Sabah Female Icon 2012.
The Top 18 finalists are:
Cassandra Devi Jeremiah (Cassie), 26, Sabah
Chai Xin Tze (Christine), 19, KL
Chan Hui Ting (Rebecca), 25, Perak
Elaine Audrey Lee, 27, Sabah
Kueh Yong Jun (Jean), 26, Selangor
Lee Su Hsien (Su Lee), 25, KL
Michelle Jeyabalan, 26, Kelantan
Naveesyaah Kumar, 22, Selangor
Nikita Menon, 23, Melaka
Rishon Shun, 25, Perak
Saroopdeep Kaur Bath (Saroop Roshi), 21, Perak
Shwetajeet Kaur (Shweta Sekhon), 22, KL
Soniyah Kumaresan, 26, KL
Tan Yee Ying (Rabecca), 26, Selangor
Tanushia Devi Paransothy, 24, Selangor
Tessminderjit Kaur (Tess), 23, Selangor
Thunisah Devi (Nisha), 24, Kedah
Yaw Hui Jing (Frost), 25, Johor
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