Miss Universe Malaysia Kimberley Leggett ready for world stage

Miss Universe Malaysia Kimberley Leggett, unfazed by criticism of her identity, gets set for the glittering world stage.

KIMBERLEY Leggett is certainly a looker with her piercing hazel eyes and statuesque figure. But at only 19, Leggett has the huge task of representing Malaysian beauty and culture at this month’s Miss Universe 2012 pageant in the United States. Nevertheless, it’s a responsibility that the reigning Miss Universe Malaysia is proud to hold despite a recent foreign report questioning her Malaysianness.

A year after she was crowned at the national pageant in November 2011, the university student of mixed descent is finally set to step into the global limelight.

“I am excited to have this opportunity to represent Malaysia on the international stage. I really want to try to make history for Malaysia,” she enthused during an interview in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, last Monday. No Malaysian has placed top three in the Miss Universe competition.

The Penang gal, however, admitted she still “has the nerves”.

“Apart from the usual workouts, catwalk classes and Q&A lessons, I’ve been trying to mentally prepare myself. I’m learning to stay cool and not be so nervous all the time. The nerves are still there! But I’m getting better at calming myself (laughs),” said Leggett, a business student at Taylor’s University in Subang Jaya, Selangor, who’s got an offer to further her education in the University of California, Los Angeles.

The 61st edition of the prestigious beauty pageant will see 89 hopefuls from around the world compete to take over the mantle from Leila Lopes of Angola, at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas on Dec 19. Leggett left yesterday to begin what would be a hectic but exciting round of activities in the run-up to the competition night.

“If there is one thing I’ve learned from this experience as Miss Universe Malaysia is that they made it look so easy on television! There are a lot of components and dedication that go into preparing myself for this competition,” said the leggy brunette.

Leggett credits Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation national director Andrea Fonseka, who was Miss Universe Malaysia 2004, with guiding her in her quest to shine at the world event.

“Andrea is someone who knows what she is doing based on her knowledge and experience. There is something motherly about her as well because she works really hard to make sure we give our best,” she shared.

At the same time, the 175cm-tall beauty queen is excited at the prospect of gaining new friends from different places.

“Oh yes, I will be presenting each of them with an exclusive headband from (homegrown accessories brand) Sereni & Shentel. It’s specially designed as a token from me to the other contestants. I love it as the design showcases Malaysian creativity and uniqueness.”

Leggett will be parading an exquisite kebaya created by Malaysian designer Jovian Mandagie for her Miss Universe national costume. It is an elaborate piece that features a top made with French and German laces, adorned with French tulle and complemented by bird feathers. A stunning piece of hand-drawn vintage Terengganu batik makes up the rest of the outfit.

“I feel privileged to be able to wear such an intricate, beautiful and avant-garde piece of Jovian’s mastery at Miss Universe. It embodies the new era of bold and modern fashion that is parallel to the quickly developing modern Malaysia that we live in today,” said Leggett.

The British-Dutch Eurasian beauty, who grew up in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, is clearly proud of her upbringing and identity in ethnically diverse Malaysia, maintaining that “it’s hard to define a Malaysian look”.

“Well, because we are essentially living in a multi-cultural society, you can’t say there is only one Malaysian look as there are so many of us and we all have our own traits. That is what makes Malaysia so special because, despite our clear differences, we’re able to live as one,” said Leggett whose father is a retired engineer and mother, a lecturer in English.

In July, US-based International Business Times ran a story titled The Politics Of Beauty: Is Malaysia’s Miss Universe Contestant Too White? in which the writer raised questions about the standards of beauty in Malaysia, where it was pointed out “Caucasians do not make up one of its dominant ethnic groups”.

The article, not surprisingly, was refuted by Malaysians, not least by Leggett, Fonseka and other beauty queens. Fonseka responded by saying that the writer should have defined what’s “Malaysian look” and opined that there is only “Malaysian beauty”.

Leggett is aware of how easy it is for anyone to mistake her for someone else but she was quick to add that “don’t judge a book by its cover”. To her critics, Leggett thought it would be a good idea for them to visit Malaysia and experience the country’s multi-culturalism firsthand.

“I don’t see myself as anything other than a Malaysian. I believe the country’s essence and pureness is already instilled in me and I’m going to the Miss Universe pageant to showcase myself to the world as a Malaysian woman,” she declared.

While Leggett relishes the chance to participate in the upcoming world competition, she will soon have to pass on her Miss Universe Malaysia crown to a successor.

“I think the current crop of 2013 finalists has been doing great so far. I’d love to be able to tell them to work hard and don’t lose track of your goal. Along the way there will be a lot of people trying their best to mould you differently and bring you down. The girls should stay true to themselves and not lose their identity in the process.”

She concluded with this nugget of wisdom to the hopefuls: “It’s a great year to learn a lot of things, so remember to cherish every moment as this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Good luck, Leggett!

Miss Universe 2012 will be broadcast live on Thursday, Dec 20, 9am, on Astro: StarWorld (Ch 711) and StarWorld HD (Ch 722). Malaysians can vote for Kimberley Leggett to obtain a spot in the semi-final of the pageant. Voting is free and can be done on missuniverse.com until Dec 18.