Kiran named Miss Universe Malaysia 2016

SERI KEMBANGAN: All the hard work and intense training certainly paid off for Kiran Jassal.

The Subang Jaya lass was announced as Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 at a gala finale held at the Palace of the Golden Horses here yesterday.

Despite being just 20, Kiran will represent Malaysia at the world event next year.

She received the crown and sash from Miss Universe Malaysia 2015 Vanessa Tevi Kumares during the glittering ceremony.

A straight-A student, Kiran aspires to start her own orthodontics practice someday. She is currently pursuing a course in dentistry.

“A balance is important. My win shows that if you set aside time, just about anyone can achieve their dreams,” she said in reply to a question posed to her on having both “beauty and brains”.

Along with the title, she took home RM50,000, as well as gifts from sponsors worth more than RM200,000.

Kiran also walked away with the Miss Winning Smile subsidiary title.

Dhivya Dhyana, 25, Lina Soong, 25, and Swarna Naidu, 18, were named the first, second and third runners up, respectively.

“Age is but a number. It is the mindset that is important. Kiran has the aptitude and she learns really, really fast,” Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation national director Carey Ng said.

Glamorous evening gowns and chic swimwear worn by the contestants were the highlights of the glitzy affair, in addition to performances by Tony Eusoff, Stephanie Van Driesen and Suhaili Micheline.

The Star is one of the official media partners.