The finalists of Miss Universe Malaysia 2025 with (from ninth left) Miss Universe Malaysia 2024 Sandra Lim, Livonia and Chong. The 16 contestants are hoping to be given the chance to represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant later this year.
Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (Mumo) has unveiled the 16 finalists of Miss Universe Malaysia 2025.
This year marked a new chapter for the organisation, as it welcomed Charissa Chong, Miss Grand Malaysia 2022 and runner-up of Miss Universe Malaysia 2020, as the new national director.
This year’s finalists reflected the evolving face of Malaysian womanhood – a powerful mix of beauty, poise, culture and ambition, all united by their passion to represent Malaysia on the world stage, Mumo said in its media statement.
The open call for applications began on May 4, attracting hundreds of applications nationwide.
It saw a rise in both diversity and calibre, reflecting the impact of the inclusive eligibility criteria introduced last year, which welcomed women of all backgrounds, including those who are married, divorced, mothers and of any age, Mumo said.
Closed-door and online auditions were held in June, with evaluations conducted by a panel of esteemed judges namely Mumo chairman Datin Livonia Ricky Guing, Chong, Evenstar Management founder and director James Tan as well as actress, model and former Miss International Malaysia Rubini Sambanthan.
Contestants were assessed on intellect, cultural awareness, communication skills, poise, and confidence, with 26 shortlisted.
The 16 finalists, aged 24 to 36, were selected with 50% votes from the judging panel and 50% from public voting.
The judges evaluated the contestants beyond their appearances, assessing their potential to grow into global representatives and role models under the Mumo mentorship journey, the organisation said.
It added that the finalists featured a remarkable lineup of women, from pageant veterans to first-time contestants with outstanding potential.
Among them are a postgraduate from Tsinghua University who has spoken at the United Nations, a medical doctor who served on international medical missions, and a former Mrs Malaysia World titleholder championing financial independence.
Other notable finalists are a TEDx speaker who established a foundation supporting refugee children’s mental health and education, a dive trip coordinator and model, and a business strategist excelling in male-dominated fields like shooting sports and investment.
“We are blown away by how articulate and passionate the girls are,” Livonia said.
“It was an incredibly tough decision, as all of them brought something unique to the table.
“The 16 finalists we have selected represent a powerful purpose and potential and we are confident that they will continue to grow and thrive throughout their journey with Miss Universe Malaysia.”
Mumo said Chong brought a wealth of experience in the pageant world, media and brand ambassadorship.
She has held multiple national titles and represented Malaysia in the international stage multiple times, including Miss Grand International 2022 and Miss International 2013.
Her extensive background as a beauty queen, model, brand ambassador and content creator gave her a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to thrive both on stage and in the public eye, Mumo added.
Chong said it was an honour to return to the stage, not as a contestant but as a mentor and national director.
“My goal is to ignite the potential within every Malaysian woman.
“We are creating a space where each finalist feels empowered to embrace her identity, celebrate our diversity and pursue her dreams without limits,” she said.
True beauty, she said, was about confidence, resilience and authenticity.
“This year, I am focused on helping our finalists find their voice, grow their influence and inspire meaningful change on stage and beyond.”
The finalists will receive guidance and purposeful information to prepare them ahead of Pageant Week, equipping them to shine both on stage and beyond.
During an immersive two-week programme, they will undergo personal and professional development through curated activities, events and mentoring, all designed to empower, inspire and elevate their journey.
Beyond competition, it was a platform to build friendship, champion meaningful causes and grow into confident ambassadors for Malaysia, Mumo said.
The journey culminates at Gala Night, and the Miss Universe Malaysia 2025 winner will go on to represent the nation at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand on Nov 21.
To follow the finalists’ journey, fans can tune in to episodes documenting their training, challenges, and behind-the-scenes moments on the official Miss Universe Malaysia YouTube channel.
