SARAWAKIAN FRANCISCA LUHONG JAMES IS MISS UNIVERSE MALAYSIA 2020
Kuala Lumpur, Saturday, 5 September 2020 – Francisca Luhong James, 25, from Sarawak was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 after beating 17 other contestants at a closed-door event in Kuala Lumpur streamed live on the Miss Universe Malaysia website this evening.
The Kayan-Kenyah-Iban native of Kuching also won the Best In Evening Gown and Miss Auto Bavaria Elegance subsidiary titles. Graduating with a degree in Mass Communications in 2019, Francisca works as a Public Relations & Marketing Executive, and is also a part-time model. Being the eldest child and only girl with two younger brothers, she is used to leading by example, and this has resulted in her being tougher, more independent and a natural role model. She enjoys choreographing her own dance moves, running and reading in her free time.
Placed as first runner-up is Charissa Chong Su Huey 庄淑慧, 26, from Selangor, while Serene Chai Yong Bin蔡咏彬, 26, from Johor was named second runner-up, and Neha Varma, 22 from Kuala Lumpur was named third runner-up.
Francisca who received the stunning ‘Reflection’ crown by HABIB featuring a 10-carat diamond set in white gold worth RM2.38 million from the previous winner, Miss Universe Malaysia 2019 Shweta Sekhon, also took home cash and sponsored prizes with a combined value of RM180,000 as well as a full education scholarship from HELP University. She will represent Malaysia on the international stage at the Miss Universe competition, likely to held in the first quarter of 2021 at a yet-to-be-revealed location.
The full list of 12 subsidiary title winners are as follows:
- Miss Congeniality: Celine Foo 胡诗宁, 26
- Miss Online Personality: Neha Varma, 22
- Best In Evening Gown: Francisca Luhong James, 25
- Miss Body Beautiful: Louisa Ananthan, 22
- Miss HABIB: Neha Varma, 22
- Miss La Jung Youthful Forever: Serene Chai Yong Bin蔡咏彬, 26
- Miss Dermalogica Healthy Skin: Pritha Manivannan, 27
- Miss Glojas Glowing Beauty: Pritha Manivannan, 27
- Shawn Cutler Hair Award: Rindsay Rachelle Laige, 22
- Miss Auto Bavaria Elegance: Francisca Luhong James, 25
- Miss Strip Body Confidence: Charissa Chong Su Huey 庄淑慧, 26
- Skinz Sanctuary Flawless Skin: Serene Chai Yong Bin蔡咏彬, 26
This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition was streamed live for the very first time with the 18 finalists and panel of judges present without an audience in line with physical distancing measures. Tickets to the e-Gala live stream were sold to members of the public, and 20 per cent of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Lighthouse Children Welfare Home Association Kuala Lumpur & Selangor.
As a new feature to this year’s competition, viewers got to vote for their favourite finalist in three categories, namely Miss Body Beautiful, Best in Evening Gown, and the winner of Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 during the live show.
The evening began with the introduction of the 18 finalists wearing beautiful cocktail dresses by Doublewoot. This was followed by the swimwear round where the finalists paraded in swim attires by Owl by Dowlani. During the evening gown segment, the finalists wore their own choice of evening gowns, and were decked with exclusive diamonds and gemstones jewellery by HABIB.
From the Top 18 finalists, the girls who made the cut into the Top 11 were Celine Foo 胡诗宁, 26, Rindsay Rachelle Laige, 22, Charissa Chong Su Huey 庄淑慧, 26, Serene Chai Yong Bin蔡咏彬, 26, Francisca Luhong James, 25, Louisa Ananthan, 22, Fung Wei Qing (Quinn) 彭苇晴, 24, Pritha Manivannan, 27, Chua Xing Er (Xinger) 蔡幸儿, 23, Neha Varma, 22, and Yaw Mee Mee (Meme) 姚媚媚, 26.
The e-Gala was hosted by local personality, Hansen Lee, while 16-year-old teenage powerhouse Aqeesh Aleeya performed three numbers for the evening. As part of the show, Miss Universe Malaysia 2019, Shweta Sekhon made an appearance on stage wearing ‘A Peranakan Indulgence’ National Costume by Carven Ong.
The e-Gala panel of judges consisted of seven prominent figures in the industry, namely Dato’ Hans Isaac, Actor, Director & Producer, Datin Selwinder Kaur, CEO of Glojas by Smart International Aesthetic, Dr Nicholas Lim, Medical Director & Aesthetic Medical Practitioner of La
Jung Aesthetic Clinic, Deborah Henry, Miss Universe Malaysia 2011, Carven Ong, Creative Designer of Carven Ong Couture, Janet Chieng, Executive Director of Esthetics International
Group, and Shawn Loong, Celebrity Stylist, Founder & Creative Director of Shawn Cutler Group of Salons, and current L’Oreal Artistic Ambassador.
The newly-crowned Francisca said, “It feels surreal, I didn’t expect this but I worked really hard throughout this journey and I’m really, really grateful, and feel blessed for this opportunity, and I would like to say thank you so much for all the love and support that I have received from my parents, friends and followers.”
“My advocacy is on women empowerment and I believe that women empowerment begins with yourself. I realised that when I fell and got back up, a lot of people lost their trust me in during my journey. What I learnt is that believing in yourself is the most important thing in order to achieve your goals. I’ve been on this pageant journey for a very long time and I actually wanted to give up on pageants before, but something told me that I should join Miss Universe Malaysia, so I just followed my heart,” she added.
Commenting on the road ahead for Francisca, Datin Elaine Daly, National Director of the Miss Universe Malaysia Organization (MUMO) said, “It’s going to be a long journey, it’s going to be hard work, but all I can say is that she must persevere, trust in the process and enjoy her reign. Congratulations to our new queen, welcome to the MUMO family, and we look forward to working with her to put Malaysia’s name on the world map.”
The e-Gala panel of judges consisted of seven prominent figures in the industry, namely Dato’ Hans Isaac, Actor, Director & Producer, Datin Selwinder Kaur, CEO of Glojas by Smart International Aesthetic, Dr Nicholas Lim, Medical Director & Aesthetic Medical Practitioner of La
Jung Aesthetic Clinic, Deborah Henry, Miss Universe Malaysia 2011, Carven Ong, Creative Designer of Carven Ong Couture, Janet Chieng, Executive Director of Esthetics International Group, and Shawn Loong, Celebrity Stylist, Founder & Creative Director of Shawn Cutler Group of Salons, and current L’Oreal Artistic Ambassador.
The newly-crowned Francisca said, “It feels surreal, I didn’t expect this but I worked really hard throughout this journey and I’m really, really grateful, and feel blessed for this opportunity, and I would like to say thank you so much for all the love and support that I have received from my parents, friends and followers.”
“My advocacy is on women empowerment and I believe that women empowerment begins with yourself. I realised that when I fell and got back up, a lot of people lost their trust me in during my journey. What I learnt is that believing in yourself is the most important thing in order to achieve your goals. I’ve been on this pageant journey for a very long time and I actually wanted to give up on pageants before, but something told me that I should join Miss Universe Malaysia, so I just followed my heart,” she added.
Commenting on the road ahead for Francisca, Datin Elaine Daly, National Director of the Miss Universe Malaysia Organization (MUMO) said, “It’s going to be a long journey, it’s going to be hard work, but all I can say is that she must persevere, trust in the process and enjoy her reign. Congratulations to our new queen, welcome to the MUMO family, and we look forward to working with her to put Malaysia’s name on the world map.”
The title presenter of Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 is La Jung Aesthetic Clinic with main partner Auto Bavaria, and official sponsors (in alphabetical order): Babel, BeeQNails, Bioxil Innertreats, Bio-Therapeutic, Dermalogica, Ghd, Glojas Smart International Aesthetics, HABIB, HELP University, Hotel Majestic Kuala Lumpur, Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Imej Jiwa Communications, Jeeves, Juicify, Makeup Miracle Academy & Workshop, Mlab.co, Owl by Dowlani, Shawn Cutler, Runway Productions, Skinz Sanctuary, Strip – Ministry of Waxing, Tisserand Aromatherapy, UHY, Vogue Lounge; and Official Online TV Channel, hurr.tv.
