Miss Amazing Malaysia aims to celebrate beauty beyond conventional standards. Photos: Miss Amazing Malaysia
Fausstiina Rai Xavier, 16, is super excited to be a finalist in the Miss Amazing Malaysia (Mam) beauty pageant, set to take place on Jan 7 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
For Fausstiina, diagnosed with Down syndrome, this marks a significant point in her life as she steps into the world of beauty pageants for the first time, ready to make a memorable debut showcasing her talents.
“I am happy to be on stage. I have made many friends during the pageant. I hope I can achieve personal goals with everyone’s support. My wish is to become a teacher when I am older,” said the teenager.
Kamala (right) is proud of Fausstiina’s participation in the beauty pageant, designed for women with different abilities. Photo: Kamala Devi Bisnu KumalHer mother, Kamala Devi Bisnu Kumal, 48, is proud of her eldest daughter’s participation in the beauty pageant, designed for women with different abilities.
“I have mixed feelings of pride, excitement and nervousness that envelop my heart as Fausstiina shines as a Mam finalist,” said the mother of two.
The upcoming pageant, held for the second time, represents an unconventional endeavour to redefine beauty pageants by offering a platform for women facing physical and intellectual challenges, including those with Down syndrome. It aims to inclusively celebrate beauty beyond conventional standards.
Kamala, a homemaker, supports her daughter’s involvement in the beauty pageant, advocating for the community to recognise and appreciate the talents of women with disabilities.
“As a mother, I am immensely proud to witness my daughter participating in this pageant, where the emphasis is on an inclusive society. The pageant showcases diverse talents and I hope it will foster an empathetic society. Through the competition, we aim to break stereotypes and empower women of different abilities. I hope my daughter will have fun on this journey.”
A total of 12 women, ranging from 16 to 38 years old, are participating in the pageant. Among them, seven finalists have Down syndrome, while the remaining five contestants have atopic eczema, spondyloarthropathy, foot amputation, cerebral palsy and scoliosis.
Twenty-two women with different abilities had initially registered for the pageant, and the final 12 were selected through a rigorous audition process.
Miss Amazing Malaysia finalist Linges Warry Apparao, who has scoliosis, hopes to eradicate misconceptions and judgements about those with different abilities.
Mam founder Maynicca Devi Rajamanikam hopes Malaysians will recognise that there is great potential within each differently abled woman.
“Beauty pageants for women of different abilities play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and empowering individuals who may not conform to traditional beauty standards. These events offer a platform for participants to showcase their unique talents, intelligence and inner beauty, challenging societal norms and fostering a more diverse and accepting definition of beauty.
“These finalists shared with me deeply moving sentiments, expressing how touched they were by this opportunity. For many, it was the first time someone had offered them a chance to showcase their skills, and some were even in tears, grateful for the opportunity to finally reveal their true selves.
“Their emotional responses have touched my heart and have made my efforts truly worthwhile,” said Maynicca, adding that the first Mam pageant took place in 2019, just before the pandemic.
Leading up to the grand finals, numerous self-development programmes have been organised for the finalists. These include engaging in personalised activities for personal growth and interpersonal skill development, participating in specialised workshops on catwalk and image consultancy, and receiving tailored guidance in grooming, makeup and fashion styling that aligns with their unique personalities.
“They will also undergo training in communication and public speaking, participate in fitness programmes, embark on enriching social responsibility field trips, and enjoy complimentary sponsorship services.
“Engaging in such programmes may help contestants refine their communication skills, enhance their poise and presence, and develop a strong sense of self-confidence. As a result, contestants may experience a positive transformation, not just in terms of their outward appearance but also in their overall demeanour and self-assurance,” said Maynicca, who was the first runner-up in the Mrs India Worldwide Malaysia pageant in 2018.
Through the pageant, Maynicca hopes to raise awareness about the challenges faced by women with disabilities.
“Beauty comes in different shapes and forms. We are focusing on their unique abilities as opposed to physical beauty. Our goal is to redefine the perception of beauty and break the stigma that beauty pageants are exclusively for conventionally beautiful individuals, promoting inclusivity,” Maynicca said. For more information on details on Mam, check out their Instagram page.
