Miss Malaysia Petite Universal 2016 contestants told to be prepared for Q&A segment

THE journey towards crowning the next Miss Malaysia Petite Universal 2016 has begun, now that the 20 finalists have been chosen.

The finalists were chosen from a pool of 138 aspirants from around Malaysia who registered for the pageant and were selected after a round of interviews on March 31.

They will now need to prepare for the pageant’s question-and-answer segment, and perfect their walk for the couture dress, casual wear and evening gown segments.

Organiser Irene Tan said picking the finalists was tough as all the girls were “beauty queens” in their own winning way.

She said the response to the pageant was overwhelming because majority of Asian women were small built.

“The lanky six-footer contestant is essentially a Western perception of beauty, but Asian measurements show a preference for smaller-built women,” she said.

Among the lucky finalists is international business student Kavitha Navdarajan, 21, biotechnology student Bhagyasri Vellayutham, 19, and 27-year-old bank executive, Serena Yong.

To the girls, taking part in the competition is a way for them to show that their size does not mean they cannot be confident and talented beauty queens.

Bhagyasri said the competition offered petite women a platform to learn and let their femininity shine.

Bhagyasri, Kavitha and Yong are among the 20 finalists of the Miss Malaysia Petite Universal 2016.

Not wanting to jinx their chances in the finals, the girls kept mum about taking part in the competition, and told only close friends and families.

“I found out I made it on April 1, and my friends thought I was joking when I told them I was part of this competition,” she said with a laugh.

The women will need good time management skills as they schedule their time around work, school and training for the competition.

The pageant was introduced to Malaysia in 1997 and only revived again four years ago.

Tan said Miss Petite would focus on intelligence, education and personality, pointing out that there would be no bikinis.

“Contestants will be judged not only on external beauty, but also on their inner beauty,” she said.

The contest, open to women between 18 and 27 years old, and who are no taller than 167.5cm, will see the top three winners each winning a scholarship to Portman College.

The diploma course will be on event management, business and video/film production.

Miss Malaysia Petite Universal 2016 organiser Tan (centre) with the 20 finalists of this year’s pageant.

Tan said the prize was a unique feature as the contest was not just about winning a tiara or sash, but an opportunity to enrich oneself and learn.

Tan is also using social media to promote her event through a “share, tag and win” concept.

The campaign will see I Tiara Productions giving away 200 complimentary tickets.

Two tickets worth RM1,000 to watch the grand finals will also be given away.

“We are not selling dinner tables as the emphasis is on the contest and not the food,” she said, adding that the event would be based on the auditorium and catwalk concept.

The finals will not be like the usual beauty pageant.

I Tiara Production’s concept is more like a TV Award style programme with auditorium seating and finger food at the foyer.

Ten judges will be determining the winner.

The one who impresses the judges most will go on to compete in the grand finals of the Miss Petite International in Florida, US, which will take place in July.

Tan, the international winner of 2012/2013, said the women should prepare themselves for the question-and-answer segment, not just by telling the judges why they deserve the title but show them why.

“When I was asked why I should be crowned, my answer wasn’t what I planned to do with the title but more about what I have done for society and myself,” she said.

She advises the girls to do the same – to get involved and contribute to society.

“We hope to tell them that nothing is impossible; we just need a platform,” she said.

Miss Petite Malaysia is sponsored by Portman College, Keep Slim, Lamode Artology Academy, Fion Poon International, Baddogz Studio, MakeUp Puzzle, Younique Image Venture, Zalora, L’Epoque, Corporate Orient, Shoot.com.my, Dartlife, Facepics Studio and Benggy Yeong photography.

There will be approximately 600 people from various fields of businesses who will be attending the event.

The finals will be held at Galaxy@HGH Convention Centre located in Sentul.

To purchase tickets, call 010-899 7106.