Miss Amazing Malaysia celebrates diverse beauty in differently-abled women

The enchanting Jasmine Hall Banquet hosted the grand finale of Miss Amazing Malaysia 2023/2024 on Sunday, celebrating the diverse beauty of differently-abled women. Notable personalities, including the esteemed singer YBhg. Dato’ Zainalabidin Mohamed and Datin Angelina Asmawi, graced the event as Guest of Honours. The socially conscious pageant, sponsored by Ramesh Sothiligam and endorsed by Tourism Malaysia, showcased not only beauty but also celebrated exceptional individuals contributing significantly to society.

The pinnacle of the event was the crowning of Miss Shani S. Mugunen, a postgraduate student and doctor, who has spondyloarthropathy. In a heartfelt moment, the former Miss Amazing Malaysia 2019/2020, Sofia Lovi Ramasamy, passed the crown to Shani. The newly crowned queen expressed her desire to empower women and individuals with chronic illnesses, encouraging them to live their lives to the fullest without insecurity.

The event also saw the recognition of six outstanding individuals—Siti Nur Aisyah Shaimee, Sonya Danita Charles, Daniel Lee, Roycie Wong, Muhammad Zhariff Affandi, and Bernard Benjamin Nathan—who received special awards for their sensational contributions to society.

A Platform for Empowerment

Founder of Miss Amazing Malaysia, Maynicca Devi Rajamanikam, highlighted the significance of the pageant in advocating for and empowering women from all walks of life. “This platform endeavors to empower these women, fostering an environment where they can recognize and attain their full potential, ensuring the fulfillment of their rights,” said Maynicca.

Miss Amazing Malaysia is a unique platform dedicated to highlighting the multiplicities in the world of beauty, femininity, and womanhood. The pageant focuses on breaking conventional beauty standards and promoting the essence of the human heart, thought, and creativity. The movement envisions a liberated world where everyone is respected and heard for their authentic selves.

The second edition of Miss Amazing Malaysia 2023/2024 brought together 12 women aged between 16 to 38, representing various ethnicities and religious beliefs. The pageant, officially endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, aims to redefine beauty pageants by providing a platform for physically and intellectually challenged women to showcase their talents and advocate for inclusivity.

During the grand finals, titles such as Miss Talent, Miss Photogenic, Miss Friendship, Miss Congeniality, Miss Popular, Miss Elegance, Miss Catwalk, Miss Confident, Miss Brave, and Miss Social Media were awarded to contestants who exhibited exceptional talent and vigor in those categories.

Redefining beauty pageants

The preparation leading up to the grand finals included self-development programs such as personalized activities for personal growth, workshops on catwalk and image consultancy, grooming, makeup, fashion styling, communication, public speaking, fitness programs, and social responsibility field trips. The finalists accrued points based on their commitment, active participation, and personal transformation.

The diverse profiles of the finalists, each with a unique story, showcased their resilience, vibrancy, and talent. From video game producers to motivational speakers, the contestants aimed to challenge stereotypes, inspire, and promote inclusivity in every facet of their lives.

Miss Amazing Malaysia 2023/2024 is not just a beauty pageant; it’s a movement that champions diversity, resilience, and empowerment. The success of this event reaffirms its commitment to creating a supportive and enjoyable environment where women with unique qualities can cultivate confidence and thrive.