Architecture student crowned Miss Grand Selangor 2020

In her second appearance at the Miss Grand Selangor Pageant, Lishalliny Kanaran, a 23-year-old student studying architecture at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) was crowned Miss Grand Selangor 2020.

She was crowned by her predecessor – Miss Grand Selangor 2019 Haaraneei MK, who also carries the title Miss Intercontinental Malaysia 2019.

The 175 cm (5’ 9”) tall lass was ecstatic that her perseverance and determination to re-enter the pageant for the second time paid off.

“I feel so honoured and thankful to be chosen as Miss Grand Selangor 2020. I was really shocked when they announced my name. My legs were literally shivering when the outgoing queen Haaraneei placed the crown on my head and gave me her sweetest words. It was only when the flashes started going off, that I realized I had really won,” an overjoyed Lisha, as she prefers to be called, told Citizens Journal Malaysia (CJMY).

The first year Bachelor in Architecture (Hons) student from Selangor who aims to open her own architecture firm one day, also won the Miss Beautiful Body subsidiary title at a glittering coronation night at Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur on July 25.

Lisha first competed at Miss Grand Selangor Pageant in 2019, was placed second runner-up and won Best in Evening Gown subsidiary title. She made the Top 5 at the Miss Grand Malaysia 2019.

Lisha has big dreams of pageant titles. She has her eyes set on her next big dream: being crowned a queen in Miss Grand Malaysia 2020 pageant.  

“By hitting the gym, I’m sure enough to make my body fit and make my skin flawless. After that, I will do my best to come out of my comfort zone and create an impact in the coming Miss Grand Malaysia finale. I’m really looking forward to it and I’m just going to give it my best shot,” she said.

Lisha enjoys hobbies such as cooking and watching lifestyle channels and food shows. It was due to her mother that she found a love for cooking.  

“I absolutely love cooking. I can merrily state that my kitchen is my playground in every sense. My mum has always been a wonderful cook and I feel she is my inspiration. I have seen her prepared scrumptious meals for hundreds of guests in a few hours. Honestly, I find cooking very therapeutic and look forward to planning my meals every day.”

Lisha and entrepreneur/dance instructor Mellanie Yew, 23, who was named first runner-up in the contest, will advance to the Miss Grand Malaysia 2020 national finals expected to take place in August where they will compete for a chance to represent Malaysia to the Miss Grand International 2020 pageant finals on October 25, in Caracas, Venezuela.

Yew surprised herself by not only winning first runner-up but also clinched three out of six subsidiary titles – Best in Swimwear, Best in Evening Gown and Miss Fine Japan.

“I was so surprised when the moment I got called out by the emcee for all these titles. It was really overwhelming. I never thought I’d be winning this much because I think all the girls are doing their great work as well. I’m sincerely appreciate for whatever I’ve gotten and thank you so much to all the team, sponsors and the judges for loving the show from us. Love everyone from the bottom of my heart,” she told CJMY.

Now for the Miss Grand Malaysia 2020, Yew said she’ll be giving her all to prove her worth.

“I have always been passionate about beauty pageants and after Miss Grand Selangor, I think I’ve got a bigger step closer to my dream. The competition is going to be much more hard so I really have to work hard especially with my advocacy which is to raise public awareness about childhood cancer.

“I’ll be practicing my catwalks to improve myself and make it even better for the upcoming finale in Miss Grand Malaysia. Most importantly, being who I am and sharing my dream with the entire world especially to those who love me and got my back.”

Yew tried her hand at beauty pageants by first competing at Miss Malaysia Petite Spokesperson in 2017 where she titled as first runner-up, then in 2019 she competed at Miss Chipao Malaysia and got second runner-up placing. Miss Grand Selangor 2020 was only her third ever pageant.

“I started watching pageants at the age of 18, dreaming that one day I could compete in one myself and I did it! All I have to do is pay 100% hard work and I believe I always gained more than what I expected. Of course, this wouldn’t stop me from being a dancer because who says dancer can’t be queen, right?”

Yew’s love for dance started from an early age. She became very passionate about achieving her goal and her dream to become a top dancer and instructor in Malaysia.

“This is never easy. I realised there are more talented dancers out there and If I don’t put in more hard work, success is much harder to achieve. Dance life is cruel, even pageantry. But this is not going to stop me from loving what I want.”

Yew participated in a lot of dance competitions and has received numerous awards, including first place winner in Asia Pacific Dance Championship 2019 with her dance partner and third placing in Perak International Dancesport Championship 2018. She was a finalist in Malaysia Open Dance Championship 2019.

“I have my own business with my partner in a production company. It’s hard sometimes when you have to handle a lot of things at the same time. And I guess this is why I’m a “tough girl” today.”

Yew loves travelling around the world because she believes it will enrich her knowledge and experiences of life and the world as she gets to see the uniqueness of each country. She discovered she really liked daydreaming to rest her mind and body. “This is my own way to relax and reduce my stress. Imagination helps me to be creative and I think here’s why I always love artsy stuff.” 

Miss Grand Selangor 2020 state coordinator Kingsley Tham, when approached by CJMY to comment on the final event, said, “I was very happy. Miss Grand Selangor 2020 wasn’t an easy journey for all of the finalists. It was a long journey in term of time due to the pandemic but it was difficult too because they don’t really have much time to bond and practise together. However, I was so satisfied with all of the finalists’ performance as they were enjoyed on the stage, as they treated that night as once a life time experience, and they gave their hundred percent to deliver the best stage for the judges, their family and their supporters. 

“For me, it is always ‘Sisterhood comes first, crown second’. I’m very grateful to see the girls created a very strong bond with each other and able to help each other throughout the pageant journey. For the four finalists that are participating in Miss Grand Malaysia 2020, now is not the time for you to rest yet. Let’s buckle up and rock the Malaysia stage as a Selangor representative,” he said.

Two other competitors Reeta Kaur, 21 and Meagala Kanesh, 24, received wildcard to advance to the Miss Grand Malaysia 2020 national finals.

The winners were chosen by a panel of judges that included Miss Grand Malaysia 2017 Sanjeda John, Bikini Malaysia founder Sasya Derrick and Evenstar Management founder and talent manager James Tan.

The final event, attended by Miss Grand Malaysia national director Jude Benjamin Lisa, was held without neglecting the standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

Miss Grand Selangor 2020 Official Result
Winner: Lishalliny Kanaran
1st Runner-Up: Mellanie Yew
Wildcard 1: Reeta Kaur
Wildcard 2: Meagala Kanesh

Subsidiary Titles
Best in Swimwear: Mellanie Yew
Miss Congeniality: Jessica Dhass
Miss Fine Japan: Mellanie Yew
Best in Evening Gown: Mellanie Yew
Miss Beautiful Body: Lishalliny Kanaran
Miss Popular Vote: Eesvari Mohana Rao