The raucous cheers from the crowd coupled with the brilliant stage lights did little to settle Rani Ramathasu’s nerves as she stood before the judges at the Asian Model Icon (AMI) International 2026 grand finale in Kuala Lumpur last month.
In the hushed moments before the winner was announced, the 53-year-old mother of two held her breath in a state of suspended anticipation.
When the announcer called her name, Sarawak-born Rani stood frozen in disbelief. She could hardly believe that she had just triumphed over 18 other contestants – many of them decades younger. (Participants for this year’s pageant ranged between 19 and 70 years).
“I was breathless,” Rani recalls, her voice still carrying the thrill she felt on that momentous night. “The first thought that went through my mind was: ‘I did it! I did it! Thank you, God’.”
Ironically, claiming the title was never her primary objective.
“My goal was to fulfil a lifelong dream of walking the runway; winning was something beyond my wildest imagination,” says the freelance Human Resource (HR) consultant.
She reflects further: “Winning as a woman over 50 proves that our presence on the stage is about more than just ‘the walk’. It shows that we (women over 50)can stand tall, confident, and radiant –breaking ageist stereotypes, while inspiring others.”
The AMI was founded three years ago to give seniors the opportunity to participate in pageants alongside younger participants. This year’s cohort were aged between 19 and 70, from eight countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, France, Germany, Russia, and Somalia. Twelve of the contestants were senior citizens.
For Rani, the title represents more than victory: It’s the pinnacle of a life lived with discipline, a career built on empathy, and a dream that refused to be deferred by the ticking of a clock.
A foundation of discipline
Though this was only her second beauty pageant – she was previously second runner-up in another competition – Rani’s poise has been decades in the making.
Her journey began in the quiet riverine town of Sibu, in Sarawak, where she was born, before unfolding in Kuantan, Pahang, where she spent her formative years. It was during these early years that Rani was shaped, both physically and mentally: Not on any runway, but on the athletic tracks where she trained tirelessly.
“Being active in athletics instilled in me a strong sense of discipline, taught me perseverance, and made me resilient – qualities that continue to shape my journey today,” she explains. “Sports is about preparation, discipline, and the ability to rise again after setbacks.”
She continues: “As an athlete, I learned to manage pre-competition anxiety and maintain focus under the gaze of others. That resilience translated directly to the runway, where I focused on my own presence and my walk, rather than the competition around me.”
Beyond the track, Rani’s character was further refined by her other passion: Indian classical dance. This art form provided a graceful counterpoint to her athletic discipline, gifting her with a distinct poise.
Having taken up the dance at the age of 13, Rani quickly became captivated by Abhinaya, the intricate art of expression that taught her the importance of being authentic.
“Dance is a dialogue between the soul and the stage,” Rani says thoughtfully. “To express a character in dance, you must find the truth within yourself.
“I carried that authenticity into the pageant, ensuring that I was genuine, reflecting my authentic self.”
The professional pivot
Rani’s career began at Bank Negara Malaysia as a stenographer, but she was always determined to push herself further. She earned her Business Administration qualification through demanding part-time evening classes, juggling the rigours of study with full-time work.
She eventually found her way to a career in Human Resources, where she has spent over 20 years advocating for a “leadership with empathy” approach.
“I was always drawn to the ‘people’ side of work,” she says. “In administration, I realised that beyond systems and processes, it’s people who truly drive success. Empathy means listening without judgment, and recognising the human being behind the role.”
Now thriving as a freelance HR consultant, Rani admits the shift to consultancy was motivated by a desire for both professional integrity and personal freedom.
“More importantly, consultancy meant I was no longer placed in awkward situations when handling HR matters, allowing me to stay true to my principles and beliefs,” she explains.
Most significantly, this newfound flexibility opened doors for her to return to her lifelong passions – yoga, dance, and eventually, the AMI International stage.
Moving forward
Post-AMI International, Rani has no intention of simply “sitting pretty” with her crown. She understood almost instinctively that her next step would be to give back, by collaborating with Alex Lim, the founder of AMI International, to conduct catwalk coaching for aspiring contestants.
While she admits that the training can be physically gruelling – “I will not hide the fact that training in six-inch heels can be painful,” she laughs – Rani maintains that the mental transformation she went through far outweighs the physical effort required.
Having previously struggled with being camera-shy and introverted, Rani credits the competition with helping her evolve into a woman who no longer doubts her own worth.
“I want to teach women to love themselves first,” she says. “Cast all your self-doubts away. Practice builds confidence and poise.”
Beyond the technicalities of the catwalk, her mission is one of empowerment.
“I want to empower women, especially those over 50, to believe that it’s never too late to shine. I want to help create opportunities that break age-related stereotypes,” she stresses.
For Rani, contests like this offer a renewed sense of purpose, proving that age is no barrier to self-expression or achievement, she says.
“At this stage of life, it’s not about chasing beauty standards – it’s about celebrating wisdom, resilience, and the courage to embrace new dreams,” she adds.
“The crown fits at any age, and women are never past their prime.
“Winning this title proves we can still be the lead characters in our own stories – full of ambition, beauty, and purpose.”
A shared journey
Behind Rani’s individual achievements lies a story of family partnership that quietly challenges traditional societal norms.
“I owe this journey to my husband, Joshua Kumaranathan, who has always been my greatest motivator and my pillar of strength,” she says.
Joshua, she says, made a significant sacrifice early on, leaving his career in the banking sector years ago to be home with their two children – a daughter, who is now 25 and pursuing her Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), and a son, 19, who is pursuing a degree in Accounting.
“He shares household responsibilities wholeheartedly,” Rani says. “What makes his support so extraordinary is that he has always given it without ego or expectations – simply with love and belief in me.”
For seniors pursuing unconventional dreams, Rani believes a strong support system is invaluable.
This deep bond is perhaps why her first instinct, when the recorded drum roll ended and her name was called as the winner, was to find Joshua and her son in the crowd.
“I couldn’t help but give a quick look and smile at them,” she recalls. “Their support affirms that our journey is shared.”
