Malaysia has found its darling.
As Taanusiya Chetty, 26, took to the Miss World stage in Nha Trang, Vietnam, last Saturday, Malaysians rallied behind the Kuala Lumpur native, cheering her every step of the way. Her second runner-up finish sparked a wave of national pride – a moment 28 years in the making.
The last time Malaysia made the Miss World top three was in 1998, when Lina Teoh emerged as second runner-up in Seychelles.
Nearly three decades later, Taanusiya, a school teacher, has finally brought Malaysia back to the coveted top three spot.
It seems Malaysia does have the sash factor, after all!
Taanusiya, fondly known as Taanu, says her historic finish at the 73rd Miss World belongs to all Malaysians who believed in her throughout the journey.
“To know that Malaysia is once again standing among the very best at Miss World after 28 years is something I will forever be grateful for.
"When I stood on that stage, I wasn’t standing there as Taanusiya alone. I was standing there as a Malaysian daughter, carrying our flag, our diversity and the stories of everyone who believed in me.
“Sometimes, all we need is someone brave enough to believe that something is possible. I hope my journey can be that reminder for the next generation,” said Taanu in an email interview from Nha Trang after her win.
Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026, with Spain’s Elisabeth Reynes as first runner-up in an event that featured 111 representatives from around the world.
Taanu, from Cheras, KL, also earned the Beauty With A Purpose (BWAP) ambassador title in recognition of her community work and advocacy through Be.The.Change Malaysia (formally registered as Pertubuhan Suara Perubahan Insan Murni), an organisation she founded in 2022 to champion education and charity initiatives.
As the ambassador, she will travel internationally alongside the reigning Miss World, participating in humanitarian initiatives and bringing the BWAP mission to communities across the globe.
During her speech for the BWAP segment, Taanu used the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly as a metaphor for personal growth – a pivotal message that may well have helped set her apart and earn her the coveted role.
“A caterpillar doesn’t become a butterfly overnight. It goes through uncertainty, isolation and growth before discovering what it was always capable of becoming.
“That reflects so much of my own journey. There were moments when I questioned myself, moments where I had to rebuild my confidence and discover who I was beyond what people could see.
“As a teacher, I have also learnt that sometimes people simply need someone to believe in their potential before they can see it themselves.
"So my message is: Don’t be afraid of your cocoon. It may be uncomfortable, but it could be preparing you for your wings,” shared Taanu, who completed her Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at a private university in Shah Alam.
The svelte, 173cm beauty also impressed the judges during the Head-to-Head segment, designed to test contestants’ communication skills, intelligence and ability to speak about issues they care about.
She spoke confidently in four languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil – mirroring Malaysia’s multicultural identity.
She also opened up about losing her mother in an accident when she was 14.
But beyond the hurdles, rehearsals and spotlight moments, Taanu said one of the greatest gifts of the competition was the friendships she forged with other contestants.
“We spent almost a month together, travelling, preparing for challenges, rehearsing and supporting one another. We came from different countries, cultures, languages and backgrounds, but somehow we found a sense of home in one another,” said Taanu, who completed her primary education at SJK (C) Batu 9 in Cheras.
She also learnt that strength can take many forms.
“Some were incredibly resilient, some were natural leaders, some were quietly compassionate, while others taught me the importance of staying grounded despite the mounting pressure.
“I came into Miss World wanting to represent Malaysia, but left with a much bigger understanding of the world and friendships that I hope will last beyond the competition,” said the former student of SMK Perimbun, Cheras.
Be the change
As the BWAP ambassador, Taanu has an even larger platform. She envisions a future centred on education and meaningful engagement with underserved communities, focusing on creating greater access and possibilities.
“I want to use this opportunity to expand Be.The.Change Malaysia through education and emotional intelligence. I believe education shouldn’t only teach a child how to read, write or count. It should also teach them how to understand themselves, manage their emotions, build healthy relationships and believe in their own potential.
“I especially want to continue reaching out to children who may not have the same access and opportunities, including underserved communities, children in rural areas, children with special educational needs and communities that are overlooked.”
Taanu says her aspiration goes beyond one-off programmes, with a focus on building sustainable initiatives that empower communities to continue making a difference themselves.
“Ultimately, I want Be.The.Change Malaysia to become bigger than me. One day, if the movement no longer needs my name to continue making an impact, I will know I have succeeded.”
Proud to be Malaysian
For Taanu, the competition was also a journey of self-discovery, changing how she sees beauty, confidence and what it means to represent Malaysia.
“Miss World taught me that beauty is so much more than appearance. I realise that confidence can also mean standing nervously on a stage, being vulnerable and still choosing to believe in yourself.
“I’ve become more comfortable with who I am not because
I have all the answers, but because I have learnt that I don’t have to be perfect to make an impact.”
Representing Malaysia also came with a deep sense of responsibility, reflected in how Taanu showcased the country’s traditional attire.
For the Dances of the World segment, she mesmerised the crowd in the Murut Nabai traditional costume, proudly showcasing Sabah’s indigenous Murut heritage.
“Representing Malaysia through the attire was special. Malaysia is beautifully diverse, and I wanted the world to see that diversity, not just through what we wear, but through the stories, traditions and communities behind them.”
For the talent segment, Taanu took on the challenge of performing silat, training for more than nine months despite having very little experience.
“Silat taught me that strength isn’t about never falling. It’s about getting back up, correcting yourself and continuing to practise even when nobody is watching.
“There were moments when I felt like I wasn’t good enough, but every training session reminded me that discipline will eventually take me somewhere talent alone cannot.”
Her Malaysian pride extended to the outfits she wore throughout the competition, with each one offering another opportunity to feature the country’s creative minds.
One of the highlights was The Pearl of Borneo gown by designer Arma Couture from Seri Kembangan, Selangor.
“Every outfit had a story, whether it represented our heritage, our modern identity or simply the incredible creativity in Malaysian fashion.
“I wanted every look to be an opportunity to introduce another side of Malaysia to the world, from our traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage to our contemporary designers.
“It was about giving our creatives a platform and allowing the world to see the talent that grows in our country.”
Dream big
Taanu’s achievement also carries a message for young Malaysian women: dream beyond what others expect of you.
“You don’t have to choose between being educated and being beautiful, between having a career and serving your community, or between being ambitious and being compassionate.”
For Taanu, being a woman means embracing different roles while staying true to what matters.
“Whether a young Malaysian girl dreams of becoming a pageant queen, a teacher, an artist, a doctor, an entrepreneur or something that doesn’t even exist yet, I hope she has the courage to pursue it.
“My journey started with a little girl who simply wanted to make her country proud. Today, standing here as Miss World second runner-up, I want her to know that sometimes the dream that feels impossible is simply a dream waiting for you to be brave enough to begin.
“And if this journey has taught me anything, it is that your crown is not the most powerful thing you can carry; your purpose is.”
From grades to greater good
‘Sometimes, all we need is someone brave enough to believe that something is possible,’ says Taanusiya. Photo: Kiengcan
From left: Reynes, Dominguez and Taanusiya after the 73rd Miss World grand finale. Photo: Kiengcan
Taanusiya (fourth from left) was one of the Top 10 finalists of the 73rd Miss World beauty pageant, held in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Photo: Kiengcan
Taanusiya (right) with Miss World 2025 Suchata Chuangsri after clinching the Miss World second runner-up title. Photo: Kiengcan
Taanusiya (centre) with fellow contestants, celebrating the friendships she made during her Miss World journey. Photos: Instagram/Taanusiyaa_
Taanusiya in a traditional Sabahan Murut Nabai costume, a nod to Malaysia’s diverse heritage.
Photo: Instagram/Taanusiyaa_
Taanusiya wearing The Pearl of Borneo gown by local label Arma Couture. The dress is inspired by the movement of the sea.
Photo: Instagram/Taanusiyaa_
Taanusiya wants to provide children with greater access to education and better opportunities.
Photos: Instagram/Taanusiyaa_
Taanusiya (centre) with students and their teacher from SK Pahu, Tuaran, Sabah.
Photo: Instagram/Taanusiyaa_
Sabah’s Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew (left) witnessing the crowning of Taanusiya Chetty as Miss World Malaysia 2024 by 2023's Miss Malaysia queen Saroop Roshi during the grand coronation event in Kota Kinabalu. Photo: Filepic
