Melissa Tan Jia Ying, 21, and Jayden Tian Hang Shu, 29, were crowned champions in their respective female and male categories at the Super Model Universe Malaysia 2021 final held at Royale Chulan Damansara Hotel, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya on Nov 19, 2021.
Melissa and Jayden also won the XES Brand Ambassador Award (Female) and Best Fitness subsidiary title respectively.
“I felt amazed and unbelievable due to it being very competitive as other participants have more experience than me,” said an elated Melissa.
“It seems impossible for me to win at the beginning but eventually I realized that nothing is impossible when you have given your full effort and dedication to achieve your goals.”
The hotel management student at Taylor’s University said she joined the competition to take on new challenge to learn new things and develop new skills.
“I want to get more exposure as well as to challenge myself. For example, I didn’t dare to wear swim wear in a competition but I’m delighted that I have accomplished it.
“Furthermore I would also want to gain more insights about modelling from professional advisors like Ammetta and Evelyn Nadal. Due to my study, I’m currently doing part-time in modelling and a talent for commercial shoot.”
Melissa, at 165cm (5’ 5”) tall, is no stranger to accolades. She has bagged a slew of awards such second runner-up female model at The Next Look Selangor Fashion Week 2020, Gold Award for modelling at Asia Young Talents 2019, and Best Star Model Award and Brand Ambassador at AT-STAR 2018 International Children Star Model Contest.
During her school years, Melissa was a cheerleader and won cheerleading titles in 2016 and 2018.
With her talent and ambition, she would like to achieve many things.
“My ambition is to be one of the talent in a company and I would be able to do collaboration with big brands and to act in dramas,” she said.
The Kuala Lumpurian loves dancing and also enjoys sewing and light stretching during her free time.
For Jayden, a fitness instructor at Celebrity Fitness Malaysia, this was his first try at modelling competition and his victory was a surprise.
“I felt complicated, because I really did not expect that I would win this title. But I’m really happy for that because all the hard work pays off and I would like to thank the organizer and also congratulate all the finalists. To me, everyone is a winner,” he said.
Born in Penang, Jayden is currently based in Kuala Lumpur.
The 170cm (5’ 7”) tall Penangite also received the Best Fitness Award.
“I wish to become a fitness influencer who can help people not just to get better and transform their body but also to influence others about how important it is now, more than ever, to live a healthier lifestyle.”
Jayden likes outdoors activities, such as running, jogging, hiking, obstacle racing and exploring outdoor adventure. He enjoys working out at the gym, relaxing and chilling at home watching movies and YouTube videos, listening to songs and sleeping in his free time.
Super Model Universe Malaysia national director and licensee Ammetta Malhotra said the pageant provides opportunity for fresh new talents to experience and discover runway experiences, not only in Malaysia but also at the world stage.
“We are pleased to have discovered so many exciting and capable new talents over the last three years. Our first national winner Thalia went on to become the world champion, and many of our delegates have become sought-after runway and commercial models, and also product ambassadors for well-known brands,” she said.
The evening saw 17 young women and 17 young men competed in the glitzy final to prove to judges that they were worthy of the title, while 13 girls and two boys competed in the Kid & Teen category competition
The competition also crowned the champions of the Super Model Universe Malaysia 2021 for the international category which was won by Luliia Paivim, 21, a student from Russia, and Owono Obono Raul Ncogo, also 21 and student from Equatorial Guinea.
For the kids category, 10-year-old Puteri Ieman Qharmieylla from Selangor emerged as champion.
In addition to the main titles, awards were also given for separate categories for Male, Female and Kids for People’s Choice Champions, Subsidiary Titles, Super Model Universe Malaysia Ambassadors and Brand Ambassadors.
The Super Model Universe Malaysia edition was organised by Target Fitness PJ and Musica Academy KL. It was delayed by more than six months after the authorities re-imposed a nationwide pandemic lockdown (MCO 3.0) early this year and all related activities and challenges had to be conducted virtually for the safety of all contestants.
The Malaysian winners of this year’s competition will not be able to compete in the world finals as it was already staged in Sofia, Bulgaria on the first week of November 2021.
“We sincerely hope the world finals of Super Model Universe will be able to be held here in Malaysia next year, once international travellers are allowed to enter Malaysia once again,” added Ammetta.
SUPER MODEL UNIVERSE MALAYSIA 2021 WINNERS LIST
FEMALE:
Main Titles:
Champion: Melissa Tan Jia Ying
1st Runner-Up: Vinci Chian Ching Ying
2nd Runner-Up: Clarysse Soo Yoke Kee
3rd Runner-Up: Utaya Shandrika Nesasundaram
4th Runner-Up: Khauselya Vadivelu
International Category:
Champion: Luliia Paivim (Russia)
1st Runner-Up: SoheilaDehghankar (Iran)
2nd Runner-Up: Diana Jathang (India)
3rd Runner-Up: Sarah Jane Villanueva (Philippines)
4th Runner-up: Rofaida Mohamed Mahmoud (Egypt)
People’s Choice Champion: Diana Jathang (India)
Subsidiary Titles:
Best Figure: Soheila Dehghankar (Iran)
Best Fitness: Norhan Magdy Yousef Hussein Elshazly (Egypt)
Most Photogenic: Nurul Atikah Mohamad Nawi
Best Personality: Jasbeer Kaur Utumber Sigh
Best Talent: Utaya Shandrika Nesasundaram
Best Catwalk: Ummi Zalikha
Most Popular: Sarah Jane Villanueva (Philippines)
MALE:
Main Titles:
Champion: Jayden Tian Hang Shu
1st Runner-Up: Alan Chua Wen Chang
2nd Runner-Up: Sivanathan Thevar
3rd Runner-Up: Mukunthan Muniandy
4th Runner-Up: Jeremy Chong Wai Meng
International Category:
Champion: Owono Obono Raul Ncogo (Equatorial Guinea)
1st Runner-Up: Amirhossein Pordel (Iran)
2nd Runner Up: Ayaz Ahmed (Pakistan)
3rd Runner Up: Abdullah Khan (Pakistan)
4th Runner Up: Mayank Bharatiya (India)
People’s Choice Champion: Abdullah Khan (Pakistan)
Subsidiary Titles:
Best Physique: Ayaz Ahmed (Pakistan)
Best Fitness: Jayden Tian Hang Shu
Most Photogenic: Dinesh Tani Malai
Best Personality: Muralidharan
Best Talent: Amirhossein Pordel (Iran)
Best Catwalk: Abdullah Khan (Pakistan)
Most Popular: Alden Tan Tee Chong
KIDS:
Main Titles:
Champion: Puteri Ieman Qharmieylla
1st Runner-Up: Chloe Law Zhi Ling
2nd Runner-Up: Shakira Pucher
3rd Runner-Up: Arissa Nursofia Azmi
4th Runner-Up: Sharon Sushmita Subash
People’s Choice Champion: Alexandra Mariam Alexander Reilly
Subsidiary Titles:
Most Photogenic: Nurul Mayasari Dato’ Zulhainudin
Best Personality: Nurul Mayaratu Dato’ Zulhainudin
Best Talent: Lee Boo Ying
Best Catwalk: Zara Rania Putri
Most Popular: Sharon Sushmita Subash
Best National Costume: Nur Airis Marissa
Most Promising Model: Alexandra Mariam Alexander Reilly
Most Stylish Model: Caeson Lee Juiwn Ler
Best Print Model: Ariq Pucher
Most Promising Print Model: Khayla Dania Reika Bayu Waskito
Super Model Universe Malaysia 2021 Ambassadors:
Fashion Ambassador: Trini Wong
Elegant Ambassador: Mertinih Ivy Joklis
Wellness Ambassador: Jessie Gan
Motivational Coach Ambassador: Dr Sudhashini Nair
Beauty and Aesthetic Ambassador: Marianny Ismail
Model and Rampwalk Ambassador: Evelyn Nadal
Brand Ambassadors:
XES Ambassador (Female): Melissa Tan Jia Ying
XES Ambassador (Male): Alan Chua Wen Chang
