Beauty pageant height requirement removed

Andrea Fonseka (third from right) and Datuk Tiffanee Marie Lim (second from right) with Miss Universe Malaysia 2012 Kimberley Leggett and finalists. Pic by Nurul Syazana Rose Razman

KUALA LUMPUR: If lack of height is the reason you have not been taking part in beauty pageants, fret no more. The Miss Universe Malaysia beauty pageant 2013 does not have a height requirement. Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (Mumo) national director Andrea Fonseka said this at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) recently.

"There has always been a minimum height requirement of 163 cm but we believe all women eligible for this pageant should be given the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful experience," she said.

This year, winners will again be chosen through reality television programme The Next Miss Universe Malaysia, but the elimination process via SMS will no longer be applied.

"I cannot reveal how elimination will be carried out but I can tell you that it is going to be a cross between Top Model, The Apprentice, Survivor and Idol With A Twist," Fonseka said.

Finalists will  live in a "beauty camp" and go through a series of activities and elimination rounds.
 
The series, which will be filmed between July and August, will be aired on 8TV over six weeks later this year. The grand finale is expected to take place and be aired in December.

The winner  will  receive prizes worth more than RM200,000 and a monthly salary from Mumo. The top four finalists  will receive full scholarships to pursue any course at LUCT. The other finalists will receive a half scholarship.

LUCT talent development associate vice-president Datuk Tiffanee Marie Lim said  the university started to take a closer look at the pageant when one of their students,  Nadine Ann Thomas, became a finalist in the beauty pageant in 2012.

"It is exciting to encounter young people who are talented and empowered to go after what they want. The pageant has a great heritage of developing the smartest and most charming contestants. We are happy to be able to lend our support."

Registration for the pageant is open until June 21.  Applications can be made through Facebook at www.facebook.com/MissUniverseMalaysia.

SOURCE: New Straits Times, 6/18/2012