Beauties Take to Final Stage in Hopes of Becoming MISS UNIVERSE MALAYSIA 2013

After enduring five grueling weeks of intense contest in a reality TV series styled competition, the search for The Next Miss Universe Malaysia today reached its peak with the gala finale of the Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 pageant at the Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam on 10th December 2012.

Taking part in the final round of the competition to compete for the tiara were six finalists who survived the elimination rounds of the reality TV show. Also joining the top six finalists in their pursuit of the title were two previously eliminated contestants who were voted back into the final round – one through public votes via sms and one more through the voting of the judges of the reality TV show.

The top eight finalists who survived eliminations from the reality TV show were Carey Ng (23), May Sallitah (24), Natalia Ng (24), Shareeta Selvaraj (22), Samantha Katie James (18) Symren Kaur (20) Trisha Kuck (20), and Marissa Majella Paramaraj(22).

Judging the girls were a panel of six judges, handpicked specifically for the gala finale. The judges were fashion designer, Jovian Mandagie; founder of A Cut Above hair salons, Winnie Loo; column-writer, TV and radio personality, Jojo Struys; TV host, Jay Menon; Executive Chairman of Permaju Industries Berhad, Dato’ Rahadian Mahmud and Associate Vice-President for Talent and Creativity Development of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Dato’ Tiffanee Marie Lim.

The night’s programme, hosted by Julie Woon and Will Quah, saw the attendance of some 1,500 people which included the who’s who in the local business, media, fashion and entertainment industry.

Andrea Fonseka, National Director of the Miss Universe Malaysia Organization (MUMO), said, “We have had a fine line-up of candidates this season for the Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 pageant. Throughout the duration of the reality show, they have each blossomed into beauty queens in their own rights. This is the beauty of the Miss Universe Malaysia pageant, because unlike other pageants, where people only remember the winner, all finalists of the Miss Universe Malaysia pageants in recent years have become household names and role models for young women out there. I am proud of all of them. They will all do Malaysia proud.”

The eligibility for this year’s pageant was opened to even more young women when MUMO announced in June that it was doing away with height requirements for the pageant this year. Hundreds of hopeful applicants sent in their applications and joined auditions, all with eyes on the much coveted tiara. Shortlisted candidates were selected to participate in the reality TV series titled The Next Miss Universe Malaysia, which culminated in the gala finale.

Besides the title of Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 and the opportunity to represent Malaysia in the Miss Universe pageant internationally, the winner of the pageant will also receive a monthly salary from MUMO and more than RM200,000 in prizes. She, and the top four finalists will receive a full-scholarship to pursue a course of her choosing at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. The remaining 13 finalists will receive a 50% scholarship to pursue any course of their choosing at the university.

Meanwhile, Kimberley Leggett, Miss Universe Malaysia 2012, is already in Las Vegas, USA, to represent Malaysia in the Miss Universe 2012 pageant which will take place on 19 December at the Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas. Malaysians and fans of Kimberley can vote for her to win her a spot into the semi final round of the competition.

 Mizz Nina performed a fantastic opening performance for that night.

Primo who flew all the way from Manila, Phillipines performed some classical love songs(You raised me up, Un-break my heart and Celebration) while the 8 finalists danced with them.

Douglas Lim, the famous comedian performed a very funny show on that night, all guests laugh out loud during his great performance.

MISS UNIVERSE MALAYSIA 2013 - Carey Ng

Carey Ng was crowned the MISS UNIVERSE MALAYSIA 2013, she also won 3 subsidiary titles. 1st runner up was Natalia, she has won a subsidiary title as well. 2nd runner up was May. And the 3rd runner up was Symren.

MISS UNIVERSE MALAYSIA 2013 1st runner up - Natalia

MISS UNIVERSE MALAYSIA 2013 2nd runner up - May

MISS UNIVERSE MALAYSIA 2013 3rd runner up - Symren

L to R: May, Carey, Natalia & Symren

8TV will broadcast the MISS UNIVERSE MALAYSIA 2013 on Sunday, 16th December 2012 at 10.30 PM.

For more information, please visit www.missuniverse.com