After creating a sensation by breaking tradition and carving her own record in over five decades of Malaysia’s participation on the prestigious Miss Universe stage, rising action actress Sandra Lim admits her heart remains attached to the pageant world.
However, the 25-year-old said any decision to return cannot be made hastily, as her current focus is on her acting career.
"For me, I really follow what God plans for me. Like I said before, Miss Universe was never in my plan, it was never my intention to be, but God brought me there.
"If God really leads me back to Miss World or Miss International, I see it as another platform to show the message, to always portray the kind of women we can be,” she said after the premiere of Gayong 2 earlier this month.
Lim said she does not deny that her longing for the pageant stage remains strong and did not rule out a return in the future.
"Right now, I’m fully focused on my film work. I feel complete with my Miss Universe journey, so it’s hard to say if I want to go back, but I can never say never, because I’m only 25, still young.
"Besides that, I desire the stage so much. If I could join Miss Universe again, I would definitely do it, but other than that I’m not sure. I really miss the stage, I cannot lie,” she said.
Lim ended the country's 54-year wait by making it into the Top 30 of Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico City, marking Malaysia’s first placement since Josephine Wong reached the Top 15 in 1970.
Sharing about her debut in the action film Gayong 2, Lim described the experience as deeply meaningful as it allowed her to challenge both her physical abilities and acting skills in a large-scale production.
"Acting in this film truly feels like a dream come true. I love trying and fighting; everything was done raw and with full commitment.
"This film is not just about fight scenes, but emphasises sincerity in every action performed, without relying too much on assistance. For me, my role in this film is to show what I’m capable of,” she said.
Lim shared that one of the most challenging scenes was during the filming of the final fight sequence, where she accidentally injured co-star Beto Kusyairy.
"I really had to hit him in that scene. I did ask if he wanted to wear protection, but he said it wasn’t necessary, so we went ahead. After that, seeing the bruises he suffered, I felt very guilty,” she said.
Despite the relatively short preparation time due to overlapping commitments with her participation in Miss Universe, Lim said her background in martial arts greatly helped her perform the action scenes. She also stressed that the opportunity marked an important beginning in her acting journey.
"I’m still new and have a lot to learn, but this is an early step for me to continue growing in the acting industry,” she said. – Bernama
