Friday July 14, 2006
Platform to success
By LI EE KEE
Call it what you will – a parade of women as nothing more than sex objects or an exercise in demeaning women – beauty pageants are here to stay.
In fact, to ensure its survival, organisers have been trying to promote them as more than just a competition of physical beauty. Over the years, the tagline “beauty with brains” has been bandied about to mixed reaction.
We recently caught up with six former Miss Astro Chinese International contestants to find out how winning the title has affected them.
Rachel Tan
Tan is thus far the only Miss Astro Chinese International winner who went on to win the Miss Chinese International pageant. And she is truly the definition of beauty with brains. She is now back home after completing her Masters in Law at Cambridge in England.
When she was in Cambridge, many of her fellow university mates asked about her decision to enter the pageant.
“We debated over it. Cambridge students are very vocal and they were curious why someone like me would enter a pageant, which to them was created to demean women.
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Clockwise from top left: Rachel Tan, Janelle Chin, Jolene Chin, Felina Cheah, Annabelle Kong and Vivien Yeo. |
“You can score exceptional marks in your exam but what does that mean in the bigger scheme of things? There is so much to see, learn and experience and for most of us, we have barely started. To me, the pageant is a key to unlocking your dreams.”
Janelle Chin
Janelle was just two months on the job as a marketing executive for a hotel in Johor when she resigned to focus on the pageant.
“It wasn’t because I thought I was going to win but it was getting difficult commuting between KL and Johor,” the 23-year-old noted with a laugh.
It turned out to be a risk well taken. Janelle was second runner-up at the 2004 Miss Astro Chinese International and is today busy hosting programmes for Astro, including the Astro Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition.
Jolene Chin
Jolene admitted that although she is still the same person inside, the Miss Astro Chinese International pageant has boosted her confidence.
“I’ve learned to be more street smart and how to better handle people and do things.
“I would encourage others to join the pageant but I would also tell them not to do it for the prize because the experience itself is well worth it. What you’ve learned during the pageant stays with you.
“Winning is not everything. Just have fun, enjoy the process and most important be yourself. When you pretend to be someone other than who you are, it will show.”
Since winning the Miss Astro Chinese International title two years ago, Jolene has been busy with emceeing, hosting and recently, deejaying work on Mix FM. She is also Kiwanis’ public relations director.
“What I’ve also learned is that the sky is the limit when it comes to your abilities. Don’t underestimate yourself. You don’t know what you can achieve until you try,” said the 26-year-old.
Felina Cheah
Like Jolene, Cheah has much to thank the Miss Astro Chinese International pageant. If not for it, she wouldn’t have dared to take on new challenges and leave her hometown Penang.
“I was contented with my life. But the pageant showed me that there is so much more out there for me to do and see.”
The 25-year-old, who emerged first runner-up in the 2004 Miss Astro Chinese International, recounted that for several years her friends had encouraged her to join the pageant but she refused thinking that it was not her cup of tea. Furthermore, the entertainment industry didn’t hold much interest for this finance and accounting major.
“But I’ve realised that we owe it to ourselves to try new things because we may never know where it leads us.”
Annabelle Kong
Not many people would turn down an acting contract with TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited) but 21-year-old Kong did just that.
The Ipoh lass, who represented Malaysia at the Miss Chinese International pageant held in Hong Kong early this year after winning Miss Astro Chinese International 2005 and emerging second runner-up in the international pageant, will be leaving for Australia to take up construction management at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
“I was shocked when I got the offer call from TVB. I was crying but they were tears of joy. I became confused over what to do. My parents said the decision was mine and I chose to continue my studies. And when I informed the people at TVB of my decision, they told me to get in touch with them after I graduate.”
Kong will be making her acting debut on July 17 in the new interactive TV series Trio and a Bed, airing on Astro Wah Lai Toi.
“The pageant has opened up lots of opportunities for me. I never thought I would be doing any of this and enjoying it.”
Vivien Yeo
It has been three years since Yeo won Miss Astro Chinese International. A lot has changed since then. She is now a star in her own right at TVB and will soon make her mark in the music industry with the release of her debut album.
“It has been a long and difficult journey. I had to adapt to the change in environment, culture and being away from my family. But things are getting better. I’ve become more self-assured and I know what I want.”
Looking back, Yeo revealed that she never imagined herself being in the entertainment industry.
“It wasn’t something I’ve always dreamt about. It just happened. When I won Miss Astro Chinese International, I was selected to compete in Miss Chinese International in Hong Kong.
“There I caught the attention of TVB and I was offered an acting contract. It was an opportunity to test myself.
“I have no regrets. It turned out to be the right decision for me. I love what I do and I’m working hard to improve. The Miss Astro Chinese International is definitely a springboard for greater things and if you don’t fear failure, take the chance.
“You don’t have to be exceptionally beautiful. A confident woman is also equally attractive.”
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