Contestants shine at MVM auditions

The Top 40 contestants of Miss Virtual Malaysia (MVM) 2019 came with high hopes to audition for a spot in the final Top 16 held at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur on August 17.

The young women from various backgrounds did their best to impress the judges.

It will be the final cut as the Top 40 contestants are whittled to the last Top 16 who will advance to the grand finale and stand a chance to win a whooping RM70,000 cash prize and being crowned the first Miss Virtual Malaysia.

“We are looking for beauty with brains to carry the brand to international level to become a brand name that is known globally. The contestants who made the biggest impression will make it through the final Top 16.

“We will reveal the Top 16 contestants who will compete in the grand finale soon,’ said Miss Virtual Malaysia 2019 national director Darwish Roslee.

A panel of judges made up of Malaysia supermodel Amber Chia, Miss Grand Thailand 2016 Faye Malisorn and actress and model Adeline Tsen conducted the daylong audition.

The Top 16 finalists selected will undergo boot camp week where there will be a series of activities and programmes prepared for them including catwalk and grooming training, photo shoot challenge at yacht, fun run around KLCC Park, KL hop-on hop-off city tour to bring more visibility for MVM and meet and greet with international beauty queens.

The grand finale of the inaugural Miss Virtual Malaysia 2019 will take place at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur on September 26.

Cassandra Yap Jie Ying, 20, from Johor appeared calm and confident in front of the judges.

“My friends encouraged me to take the challenge as I’ve always wanted to become a pageant queen since I was a kid.

“I hope by taking part in this pageant, I will be able to discover some of my unknown strengths, perfect my realised strengths and turn my weaknesses into strengths,” she said.

The 170 cm (5’ 7”) tall student who is studying in ESMOD Kuala Lumpur majoring in fashion design and pattern making had taken part in beauty contests before notably in ifeel Girl 2017 and Astro Xuan Model Student 2018.

“Being able to be in Top 40 is already a huge step for me, and if I am short-listed as one of the Top 16 for the finals, then it will take me closer to my goals and dreams in life.

“Beauty pageant are not just about beauty, they have always symbolise the gratitude of powerful and independent women and continue to become a platform for talent individuals to show their willingness and ability to change the world.

“I aspire to be a multi-talented fashion designer in the future who designs and makes her own pieces while also able to wear them and at the same time carry the brand identity,” she said.

Yap said she has done some preparation before coming to the audition.

“I’ve tried to perfect my catwalk with super high heels since I’m not used to wearing such high pumps, and I also tried to improve my public speaking skills and keep track on my body figure.”

Yap loves to dance but has not been training to enter the professional dance world. The Johorean also enjoys arts and crafts, designing garments and drawings.

Another contestant, 20-year-old student Nur Ainaa Azhari from Kuala Lumpur looked confident about her chances.

“When I was informed about Miss Virtual Malaysia pageant, I became interested to join as it could be a new learning experience platform for me to carry myself with more confidence, to try new things beyond my limit and to get new exposures.

“I have the determination in the things that I want to do and my goal is to be in Top Final 16 so that I can learn more and inspire young girls to be more determined in following their passion and their dreams,” she said.

Ainaa is currently a final year student studying Diploma In Business Management at Quest International University in Ipoh. She had joined Gadis Panca 2017 hosted by Utusan Malaysia where she placed as first runner-up.

The 173 cm (5’ 8”) tall lass said she came prepared mentally and physically for the audition. 

“I was quite nervous at first but I steadied my nerves and told myself that I must stay strong and positive during audition. I hope to win a spot in the grand finals.

“Beauty pageants are very important because we must have a role model for the younger generation. We want to empower young girls that they can  be beauty with brains and be great at everything.

“You can do great in everything if you have the will power, determination and knowledge and create great things for the society and be more lively about yourself,” she said.

Ainaa hopes to become a successful entrepreneur one day and a great role model to the society. She enjoys hobbies such as reading, cooking and workout at the gym.

Rachel Tee Hsu Xin, 19, who was born in Malacca and now resides in Cheras said a few pageant sisters and friends encouraged her to join the Miss Virtual Malaysia pageant.

“It will be an achievement to me if I’m selected to be in the Top 16 for the finals. Do not stop learning when you are capable of doing or you’ve got passion in it, this is what I keep telling myself. So I took the initiative and grab this chance to prove my capability and strength. Hopefully I get the opportunity to learn new things and to know new friends,” said Tee who won the Miss Chipao Malaysia 2019 title in her very first attempt at pageant.

Standing 168cm (5’ 6”) tall, Tee is currently studying Diploma in Mass Communication majoring in Public Relations at TARUC in Setapak.

“I prepared myself well before coming to the audition such as improving my public speaking skills and catwalk. I’m not afraid to present myself in front of the public and I tell myself to be natural and be You, and that is the most important factor in being yourself.

“I believe everyone has their own unique and so do I. I’m an open minded person and easy to get along. I smile and laugh easily as I believe smiling is my best weapon to make a good impression to others.  

“I’ll accept the challenges given and I’m ready to learn new things should I be selected as one of the Top 16 finalists,” she said.

Tee wants to be a flight attendant once she finishes studying. She enjoys singing and trying new things so she can challenge herself.

“I love singing and acting is what I‘m trying to learn right now because I’m  always wanted to try new things and keep on challenging myself and see how far I can achieve in my life,” she said.

Serene Shoong Yoke Ling, 21, from Kuala Lumpur said it was her first time in an audition and explained her reason for joining the pageant.

“There are many reasons that gave me the courage to join this pageant. However, the most important one which I think is Miss Virtual Malaysia (MVM) is such a great opportunity for me to challenge myself to discover my inner self and to spread positivity across the world as I would like to bring up the awareness of depression which silently kills many people.

“I would want to explore a new platform and become more confident. I want to enjoy myself in the progress as there is much to learn and gain more friendships and connections with participants,” she said.

Shoong standing 168 cm (5’ 6”) tall is currently pursuing a degree course of actuarial studies in Sunway University.

“To be frank, I wasn’t an eye shadow enthusiast. I had to learn how to apply it by surfing YouTube. Not only that, I’ve also searched on ‘How to Catwalk and Pose’ ‘How Casting Works’ and so many more that I was afraid I will be very awkward if I don’t know any of these,” she said on her preparation before coming to the audition. 

“I am starting to take adulthood and my future even more seriously and it makes me have the urge to be a responsible and determined person to strive for what I aim for. I may be shy and scared sometimes but I wish to overcome it through MVM and I am willing to learn anything and everything, if possible. Even if I lose, I will never be a quitter,” she said. 

Shoong’s ambition is to become an entrepreneur and a social influencer to share happiness around the world. She enjoys reading, hiking, jogging and playing the piano and singing along with it. She is planning to join aerial yoga or muay thai if she is given a bit more freedom.