Thomas Tan
Twenty-five contestants, 12 females and 13 males, are aiming for super status by competing the Malaysian selection final of Super Model Universe, an international modelling competition.
This year’s shortlist for the Super Model Universe Malaysia 2020 competition was unveiled at a press conference held at Netverk Restaurant in Oval Damansara Tower, Petaling Jaya on August 15, 2020.
“We are very excited and impressed by the finalists this year. They are very young, very motivated and very united,” said Super Model Universe Malaysia license holder and national director Ammetta Malhotra.
The shortlisted contestants were chosen out of over hundreds of young hopefuls for the finals after being taken through a tough selection process by a large panel of judges made up of industry professionals from various disciplines including fashion and modelling.
“We have a very united bunch of finalists who are really determined to give the best for the final in a safe environment.
“We went through the Covid-19 together. We started the audition very early in February. Then came the movement control order (MCO) by the government in response to the pandemic, and we all stayed in the group together supporting and encouraging each other. So I would say this year, I see a lot of unity,” said Ammetta.
“We have introduced a new category for kids to encourage developing young talents but they are not running for the international competition. The kid participants have added the really nice lovely feeling and a very positive energy with the ‘older’ contestants being the ‘kor kor’ (elder brother) and ‘che che’ (elder sister) bringing the wonderful energy into the pageant,” she added.
A fashion show was held during the press announcement for media members, sponsors and invited guests to preview fashion designs by well-known designers for the upcoming final.
Ammetta said Malaysia was awarded the right to stage the international finals this year but due to Covid-19 pandemic, it is now being rescheduled for 2021, once international travel restrictions are lifted.
Hosting the local competition for the second year running, Ammetta, the owner and founder of Target Fitness PJ, is very positive and optimistic about the future of the pageant.
“I’m very happy about this pageant to see the way it is growing in Malaysia and really giving some notable credibility. Our aim is to keep promoting the fashion and beauty industries, to really reflect some exclusivity – a pageant with class and ethics that represent people who are professionals, who are dedicated and who know how to do well in the industry. This is my hope for the pageant as we keep moving forward.
“Yes, this will definitely be a stepping stone into the fashion and modelling world for the contestants who are going on to win this pageant,” she said.
Target Fitness PJ and Yinzi Event & Marketing are the joint organisers of the Super Model Universe Malaysia 2020 competition, the grand finale of which will be held at Royale Chulan Damansara Hotel, Petaling Jaya on September 13, 2020.
The competition is tough as the winners, one male and one female, will be representing Malaysia on the global stage. Super Model Universe Malaysia 2019 winner Thalia Thin Yi En won the Super Model Universe 2019 world title in the female category when she competed in the international final in Sofia, Bulgaria last year.
Yinzi Event & Marketing founder and chief executive officer Madam Lim Siew Cheng said the grand final will be a wonderful evening with great entertainment and spectacular runway fashion shows.
“The contestants are all excited and ready to shine on stage. They will model clothing by top Malaysian fashion designers,” she said, adding that the grand final event will adhere to strict compliance of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) as outlined by the government to ensure everyone’s safety due to Covid-19.
One of the contestants, 23-year-old model and actress Hafsa Munir from Kuala Lumpur, of mixed Thai-Indian parentage, is looking forward for a good outcome in the final.
“I’m excited to have been selected a finalist. I know the competition will be tough but I will give it my best. If I do become Super Model Universe Malaysia, I would use my voice to help children who are suffering from child abuse,” she said.
Hafsa, at 170cm (5’ 7”) tall, started modelling in 2015. She has appeared in countless fashion shows having established herself and is a sought-after model today.
She participated at MPL Top Model 2018 where she was placed as the second runner-up and won Miss Social Media subsidiary title. She recently acted in a new movie ‘Town Mall’ which is an adaptation of author Hasrudi Jawawi’s best-selling horror novel of the same name.
“I always loved acting and modeling, they are my passions. And I would love to be a famous and inspirational model and actress one day. I believe dreams do come true, and I hope to be able to realise my dreams,” she added.
Hafsa enjoys travelling, sports and playing badminton whenever she has free time.
Another contestant, 19-year-old Tara Sakeena Allen, also from Kuala Lumpur, is of Malay-Irish mixed parentage.
“I started modelling at a young age for print ads and TV adverts. My interest grew due to my love for fashion and I aim to one day model bigger brands and maybe design my own line on the side of being a journalist,” she said.
The 170cm (5’ 7”) tall lass is studying for her degree in journalism in UK. She returned home in March this year amid the global Covid-19 pandemic and will continue her studies in UK in January next year.
As a first-time contestant, Tara feels most at ease and is prepared for the upcoming final.
“I’ve been gymming a lot and eating healthy to build a nice figure and good complexion, which I enjoy doing daily anyway, so I would say I’m enjoying preparations fine.
“I’m doing lots of exercises and pampering my skin and body, as well as strengthening my mental health to keep myself confident and happy,” she said.
“My ambition in life is to become an ideal journalist in order to tell stories from people who do not have a voice to be able to do the same. Alongside this, I would love to pursue other areas in art whether it be holding my own art galleries or designing my own fashion line,” she added.
Having an artistic personality, Tara loves experimenting her different talents with her skilled hands and her interests include reading, art, exercise and playing piano.
Scroll down to view more photos from the Super Model Universe Malaysia 2020 press conference below:
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