The Miss Petite Universe International Semenanjung (MPUIS) 2021 Central Region officially kicks off with the sashing ceremony where the top seven finalists were announced.
The sashing ceremony and press conference took place at Da Men Mall, Subang Jaya on Dec 1, 2021.
It was held keeping in mind all the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the authorities and the precautions taken for the safety of all.
The finalists are Christal Wong Ching Ling, Rhiannie Devi, Serena Pearl Tigger Suro Ahmadi, Grace Pang Vern Feng, Millet Wong Xin Ru, Jovy Ho and Darsha Nair.
The contestants exuded confidence as they filed out on stage one by one to receive the sash from Malaysian designer Rasta Rashid when their names were called.
Standing at 155 cm (5’ 1”), 23-year-old Christal Wong Ching Ling, an architect from Kuala Lumpur, is among the finalists vying for the crown, but she is determined to prove that, however tall or petite a woman is, beauty is not categorized by labels and numbers.
“Being a petite lady in the modelling industry feels empowering. We are all uniquely gifted and beautiful inside out. We actually have advantages. We are fun-sized, our taller friends shade us from the sun, and have extra legroom,” she said.
Christal said she entered the competition for the challenge and trying things out.
“I’ve always love challenging and pushing myself. Life is fun and there is so much we don’t know. Being an architect geek for the past six years, I needed to be out of my comfort zone, to be uncomfortable. I love styling, fashion and arts and thought it’d be a great idea to advocate art and culture of Malaysia through pageantry.”
Despite her busy work life, Christal finds time to pursue other interests such as painting.
“I grew up as a child loving arts, sports and imagination. I started gymnastics, then a little on swing dance. Belly dance is rather a new dance for me for the past one year. I paint as a hobby. I paint acrylic abstracts. Lately I’ve just started mural painting.”
Christal hopes to have the opportunity to travel the world to paint one day.
For international business student Darsha Nair, 21, from Shah Alam, she sees an opportunity to make a difference in her first beauty pageant.
“It gives me an opportunity to share my mental health advocacy to help those who are struggling. Besides, it provides a chance to build self-confidence, experience, networking and a window of opportunities that comes with it,” she said.
There are some pretty awesome things about being a petite woman and Darsha’s proud.
“Petite women are very attractive, delicately small, agile and of course pretty,” she said.
Darsha, who stands 163 cm (5′ 4″), has a strong desire to go after what she wants in life.
“My ambition is to wake up every morning believing in myself even when no one else in the world does. Pushing myself to work hard and being determined to achieve my goals and my vision.”
Darsha loves dancing, Bollywood dance, which she finds inspiring.
“My talent is dancing. I’m passionate and inspire how unique the dance steps are. Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.”
Another finalist 19-year-old Millet Wong Xin Ru, from Johor Bahru, who stands 168 cm (5’ 6”) said being petite does not mean women are weak.
“Even people see me as a weak and feeble woman but actually I’m strong and independent.
“Having a petite body always make you appear youthful and cute,” she said.
The part-time fashion model for Instagram page @poppyland.co is excited to be a finalist and is looking forward to do well in the final.
“This is my first pageant and I have good enough confidence for myself and my ‘sisters’ who are competing for this pageant as well. We will try our best for this pageant and we will always have each other’s back.”
Millet’s ambition is to be a wedding dress designer. Her hobbies include singing and playing dodge ball.
The Miss Petite Universe International Semenanjung 2021 Central Region grand finale will take place at The Grand Campbell Hotel Kuala Lumpur on Dec 5, 2021.
The Central Region competition consists of the following states: Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Miss Petite Universe International Semenanjung 2021 Central Region regional director Nwabuike Uchechukwu said the contestants are ready to put their skills to the test to compete for the title.
“They are very excited and nervous as well as it’s a new experience, one which they are very much looking forward to,” he said.
The pageant is designated for single ladies, height 168cm (5′ 6″) or less, and ages between 18 and 27 years old.
Uchechukwu said the contestants will compete in the introduction, traditional wear, evening gown and Q&A rounds and there won’t be any bikinis.
Subsidiary titles up for grabs are Miss Congeniality, Miss Popular, Best Talent, Best Catwalk, People’s Choice Award and Miss Social Media.
The top three winners will go on to compete at the national pageant, Miss Petite Universe International Malaysia 2021/2022, in Sarawak later next year.
Uchechukwu gave thanks to all for their help, support and enthusiastic participation in the pageant.
“I would like to thank our VVIP Rasta Rashid for her continuous support and the wonderful words of encouragement to the finalists, and I would also like to thank the pageant mentor Shirlyn Sarina Hendry, reigning beauty queen of Miss Petite Universe International Malaysia 2020 for her mentorship, guidance and encouragement to all the finalists.”
Malaysian designer Rasta Rashid is the founder of Rasta Creation and fashion label Batek by Rasta Rashid, and president of Malaysian Bumiputra Designers Association (MBDA).
“Lastly, I would like to say a big thank you to all our sponsors for the trust and support. It would not have been possible without them,” added Uchechukwu.
