FOUR winners will represent Malaysia in New York next year after winning Queen of the World Malaysia 2023 recently in the Grand Final held for the very first time in Malaysia at Marriot Putrajaya.
Dr Atikah Azura, Alice Chin, Crystal Lai, Esther Michael from the various states proved their deserving win with wit, grace, poise and charisma as they competed in a dazzling national costume, an evening gown catwalk and solid answers to tough questions pertaining to women’s empowerment.
Bringing out the queen within
Alice Chin who won the Elite Queen of the World 2023 title and Best National Costume said, “I feel humbled and honoured to win because I didn’t expect anything when I joined this beauty pageant. I only wanted to improve myself as I am a petite, shy and reserved woman.
“But I guess along the journey, I changed my mind and stepped up my game by bringing the best version of myself, and it worked. I won,” she quipped as she proudly showed the stunning Minangkabau-inspired national costume.
Another winner, Dr Atikah Azura who won in the Miss category said, “The whole pageant is not about glitz and glamour as it required mental and physical resilience. At the end of the day, I just wanted to inspire other women to be a queen of their own version.”
The other two winners were Crystal Lai and Ester Michael in the younger Miss and Mrs category respectively.
Celebrating cultural diversity and beauty
According to Queen of the World 2023 national director and founder of award-winning footwear Nottingheels, Amy Chiew added “This pageant serves as a platform to showcase not just the outer beauty but the depth of character and intelligence that a woman embodies.
“It is also meant to show to the world our beautiful and rich cultural heritage while preserving the timeless diverse traditions of Malaysia.”
The event marked a significant moment for the Queen of the World pageant, which was established in 2021 in New York, US. It transcends conventional beauty standards by instilling confidence and celebrating the diversity and individuality of women from all walks of life and ages.
Queen of the World Malaysia 2023 was graced by VVIP, Yang Amat Mulia Paduka Puteri Tunku Muna Najiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj and the panel of judges comprised former beauty queens, entrepreneurs, celebrity stylist and fashionistas.
All four top winners from different categories will have the honour of representing Malaysia in the international round in New York City, USA, scheduled for April 2024. – Dec 24, 2023
Francis Yip is a fashionista and an award-winning writer and HRDF (Human Resource Development Fund)-accredited trainer. He is also the CEO of Franciswriter Dot Com and a guest lecturer at The One Academy.
The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
