The high profile Miss Universe Singapore (MUS) is back with the theme, “Vie for a Beautiful Cause”. Co-organised by The New Paper and the Miss Universe Singapore Organisation, the 20 finalists will battle it out for the coveted crown at the grand finals held at Resorts World Sentosa on 11 October. When you look at these beautiful long-limbed and glossy haired girls, it is hard to believe that they too suffer from insecurities and have even experienced being bullied. Scroll through the gallery to get a glimpse into the life of these 20 hopefuls.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
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Chances are, you might have taken small steps to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle, like carrying a reusable tote or switching off lights when you leave a room. But for Earth-conscious individuals like Shonalie, being eco-friendly is more than just a part time thing, but a full-on lifestyle. After watching a 2006 documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth”, the content strategist developed a passion for climate change and environmental studies.
She enrolled herself into the Carleton University, Canada, where she pursued a degree in environmental studies. In a bit to do her part for the environment, the then 22-year-old, was part of a steering committee that led 25,000 people in a march for climate justice in Canada during winter time.
This eco-hero was not always this confident. Shonalie revealed that one her biggest fears was public speaking. But when she turned 19, she decided to overcome her fear by running for a leadership position at her university advocating equality and environmental policy. It took a lot of practice but she was eventually able to get over her fear of public speaking.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
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If there is one thing you need to know about the nursing graduate from Curtin University, Australia, is that she is fiercely independent. She was only 13 when she moved from Beijing to study in Singapore by herself. Apart from Singapore and China, the 24-year-old has also lived in several countries like Australia and Hong Kong. The beauty with a heart of gold will be joining a local government hospital as a full-time nurse.
The registered nurse is passionate about empowering youths and helping children with autism. Her commitment to care for autistic children stems from her own experience. She has a close friend with a family member who is autistic. The Curtin University graduate who recently signed up as a volunteer at the Singapore Trybe charity Organisation wants to lend her hand in supporting autistic organisations.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
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It was not always rainbows and butterflies for Rudihra. The pricing analyst was once a victim of an abusive relationship. The RMIT University Master Degree Holder expressed sympathetically, “I know how it is like to feel worthless. I lost evert inch of my confidence, voice and identity”.
Determined not to let anyone go through her ordeal, Rudihra extends her support to the Singapore Committee for UN Women, an organisation dedicated to providing women and girls and equal access to education, healthcare, economic independence and a life that is free from abuse and violence.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
Cara could be the first mermaid to walk away with the crown. She founded the first mermaid school in Singapore and goes by the underwater alter ego of Syrena. Having survived near-fatal brushes with mortality, the full-time mermaid wasn’t always comfortable in water. Her fear of drowning stayed with her till adulthood. But like a scene from a Disney movie, that all changed when she made a trip to Hawaii in 2016.
During one dive for a shoot, the entrepreneur heard the “rich, resonant sound” of whale song through the water and as they say, the rest is history. The 25-year-old who finds joy in working with children will be opening a princess academy by the end of the year. When asked about who she treasures the most, the Miss Universe Singapore hopeful had this to say, “My parents. My mother was accidentally administered a wrong injection when she was pregnant, which had dire repercussions for developing foetuses.
Doctors urged my parents to abort me because it was likely I was going to be born with missing eyes, limbs or some of my senses. Amazingly, my parents did not give up on me and believed I should have a chance at life. They went ahead with the decision to have me, fully prepared to lead and love me even if I was born imperfect”.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
The might be Shahira’s first foray into the pageant world, but she is not going to let her lack of experience get in the way of her bringing home the title of Miss Universe Singapore. The assiduous 26-year-old would constantly get tips from her peers to improve her weaknesses, like runway-walking, walking in heels and the way she presents herself. The freelance mixologist developed a passion for the food and beverage industry since taking up a job as floor manager at Mos Burger at the age of 16. Being a mother herself, Shahira firmly believes that children should be entitled to the same opportunities regardless of whether they come from underprivileged families or if they have disabilities.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
If not for her sister, Dalvin wouldn’t have been able to make it this far. In fact, she wouldn’t even be in the competition. Dalvin had no clue that her younger sister signed her up for the Miss Universe Singapore (MUS) pageant until she was informed that she had been shortlisted for the auditions.
The controls associate at Banktold was initially hesitant to join because of work commitments. While some people may fret at the reality of getting older, as one of the oldest finalists this year, Dalvin hopes to use her age and life experiences to her advantage. Growing up, her family wasn’t too well-to-do, this spurred her to do well in school. This is also why she is so passionate about proving equal opportunities to underprivileged children.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
Mandi had a rocky start in life. She started working at the young age of 14 and stopped taking pocket money to take some load off her single mum who was working to support the family. This flight attendant might seem to have it all but things weren’t always so rosy.
She struggled with self-esteem issues, especially as a part-time model. She was under immense pressure to lose weight. She even went through and extreme no-carbohydrate diet for a month and exercised six times a week even when she was burnt out. Mandy has since learnt the importance of loving herself instead of succumbing to societal standards of beauty.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
Embilbiany might be young, but she has big plans. The 19-year-old dreams of working with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef), while owning a theatre company that raises funds to help those in need. The final-year Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts theatre student devotes her free time to educating young children. When she is not studying, she works part-time as a reading teacher at pre-school MindChamps and a kindergarten drama teacher.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
Through Miss Universe, the private tutor who has a way with words hopes to encourage more interaction between Singaporeans and foreign workers. Last year, she taught English HealthServe – a non-profit organization dedicated to helping migrant workers. The self-proclaimed animal lover who has volunteered at Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) wants to put a stop to animal testing and the hunting of animals for sports and their body parts.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
The talent acquisition manager who heads internal recruitment for Asia for an international management consulting firm wants to redefine the definition of beauty. She believes that a woman can be beautiful while being intelligent and having a successful career.
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ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
As an adolescent, Trinisha, had to deal with self-esteem issues. It was especially hard for her because she didn’t have a female figure to look up to as her mother had passed away when she was 10. The pharmacy technician hopes to empower young girls and get them to be more comfortable in their own skin. Apart from quest to empower girls to find compart in their own skin, Trinisha also wants to raise awareness about the recycling process.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
You might remember Manuela Bruntraeger as Miss Earth Singapore 2016. Manuela, whose father is German and mother a Singaporean of Portuguese descent, joined Miss Universe Singapore to push herself to the limits and see what she’s made of. The artist looks up to Hong Kong martial arts superstar, Jackie Chan. To her, the actor represents bravery in the face of adversity and he is proud of his differences and the foreign culture he brings to Hollywood.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
Fashion stylist, Camira, took a leap of faith after her A levels when she chose to study fashion at Lasalle College of the Arts instead of pursuing a degree after being accepted at universities here. Fast forward to the present, Camira is a freelance fashion stylist for television shows. To show her support for the local arts scene, the 22-year-old would push local and regional fashion designers by wearing their clothes on a daily basis and during event like Audi Fashion Festival and Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week.
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Sharmen, whose father is Eurasian and mother Malay, is now a fashion model after enduring racial taunts from her schoolmates. The early childhood education student at KLC International Institute was able to rise above the bullies. Through the pageant, Sharmen wants to take a stand against bullying and fight for the victims of bullying.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
The secret to Amanda’s svelte figure? Her diligence in keeping up with her workout routine. The athletic 28-year-old is active in sports and she has tried tennis, ballet, and track and field. A strong believer of female equality, she believes that, “Women are just as capable as men, and I hope we can be known for our capabilities, not just our looks. It irks me to know how women can be objectified, especially those who have been raped or violated. I want to let them know they are survivors and should not be ashamed to step out”. Committed to make a difference for her cause, the marketing manager wants to volunteer at HCSA Dayspring to better the lives of women and abused teenagers.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
The passing of her cousin who suffered from depression convinced Tanooja that more should be done to help those with depression. The National University of Singapore graduate initiated a private movement of Facebook in 2015, The Fight Against Depression, to reach out to those in need.
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ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
Don’t let her pretty face fool you, this girl is tough. Having taken up taekwondo since the age of 11, she holds a black belt in the sport and volunteers by offering weekly classes to children. The gerontological management studies student from Temasek Polytechnic strives to change the perception of people towards the elderly by creating opportunities for them to be active in their golden years.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
Setia was only seven when she fell in love with dance. As a dance specialist, the 26-year-old works on lesson plans for schools, companies and events, and allocating trainers. She also conducts a weekly dance fitness class for women at a dance studio. Through the pageant, Setia hopes to provide and initiate robust health and nutrition programmes for less fortunate children around the world.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
The priority banker had a rough childhood. Her divorced parents were working most of the time, leaving her grandparents as her primary caregivers. The values taught to her in school helped her to become who she is today. The 25-year-old wants to do her part at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), a global fund dedicated to the provision of education in developing countries.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE
Nadiah is not your typical girly girl. As a teenager, Nadiah played football and ran around getting dirty in school fields. This resulted in her being treated like an outcast in some quarters. Initially, she tried hard to fit in, but in the end, she chopped off her locks and embraced her differences instead. As an advocate of animal rights, she hopes to volunteer at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the World Wildlife Fund.
Photo: Benjamin Seetor
ALSO READ: WHO’S THAT GIRL? GET TO KNOW SING! CHINA FINALIST JOANNA DONG AND HER STYLE