Wednesday, June 29, 2011

2011 Miss Universe - Malaysia?

Deborah Henry. 26. Malaysia.

Since her crowning on the 27th of January as Miss Universe Malaysia 2011, there has been lots of hype around Deborah being a potential winner at the Miss Universe pageant at Sao Paolo this year. Now I'm a firm believer in 'jinxing' things by talking about that, so I wont. (Sorry guys!).

What I will share with you this:

Debs is an amazing young woman whom I truly respect. And here's 5 reasons why:

1. She walks the talk.
 "World Peace" and "Eradicating Poverty" are in the top 5 answers for most cliche Beauty Queens. Deborah runs her very own school for children of refugees in Malaysia. Click here to see more.

2. She is humble and sincere.
 If you go back to the Fugee School website, how much of Deborah do you see on it, taking credit? So many people begin foundatons named after themelves, they can't stop talking about how much good they're doing.. What does Debs do? She tweets when she needs volunteering at her school. She humbly asks for help when the school needs it. It's really refreshing to see a celebrity in this day and age not wanting to be all about the limelight.

3. She's determined and disciplined.
 The two hardest qualities to find in young girls these days. Most girls want the fast-track to fame and aren't aware (or willing) to put in the blood and sweat that comes along with the job. Reality Check. You'd think Deborah can just sit back and sail through to Miss Universe just because she's done a pageant before? Oh hell no. Samba training twice a week, till she gets blisters on her toes. Gym 4 times a week (minimum), total diet planning, vitamins for hair nails and skin, Portuguese lessons -- and that's all done on her OWN. The Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation is overseeing other things such as: QnA training, wardrobe planning, fitness advice, skin consultation, .. basically the bigger picture items, of which Deb takes it into her own initiative to get there. A National Director really appreciates this bit especially because seriously -- there is nothing more tiring than having to drag a horse to water and trying to force it to drink..!

4. She's professional and sticks by her principles.
 "Deb, I think we ned to whiten your teeth, tone up your abs, lower body. You need to increase your muscle mass. And your hair. You need to take multivites. And your skin -- why are you breaking out? Please darling do a million sit-ups before the photoshoot tomorrow to make you abs really pop. Why are your nails brittle? Are you not taking enough Calcium and Vitamin D? Why aren't you comfortable talking about yourself hunny, that's what interviews are about! And hmmm. Perhaps we should get you some facials, eh?"

I'm not the most tactful person in the world -- I get to the point and I get there fast. What I love about Debs is that she takes everything you say into consideration, and uses her own head on (1) whether or not my advice/request is reasonable and (2) if she should follow it. For example: Many girls at Miss Universe have had breast augmenation. It's a fact, I'm laying it out there. I have nothing against it, in fact, for many girls it can make or break winning or whether or not they even make it to the semi finals.

Does Deborah need breast augmentation? No. Would it be a disadvantage against all the other cosmetically enhanced women at Miss Universe? Of course. Did Deborah think about it? Yes. Her answer to getting cosmetic surgery? No. Was I happy about it? Oh yes.

She has her principles and she sticks to them. And whilst she listened to what I had to say, she took no offence whatsoever. She knew everything I said and advised her on was borne out of a sincere want for her to look and be her best.

5. She would make a great Miss Universe.
Coming from Malaysia, growing up in a multicultural home and country, Deborah has proved on her own that she has the guns to stay in the industry. Combined with all her traits above, she is guaranteed to make one of the hardest working, real Miss Universes ever.

Her look trancends all commercially driven racial boundaries, her passion for children ignites hope where she can bring it, and her ability to speak well and forcefully about her thoughts and beliefs would pierce through every stigma that a Beauty Queen may still have in today's day and age.

She would make a great Miss Universe. She really would.

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Now I'm sure there are alot of other candidates this year who would make equally impressive winners. I can only speak of Deborah as I've grown to know her personally and professionally. I'd be elated if she won, because she deserves it. But even if she didnt, I'd still be glad that the world got to meet this gorgeous gem of a young woman, who hails from Malaysia.

8 comments:

Jacque Doss said...

It was an amazing write up about an obviously amazing person. As a Malaysian, I am rooting for Deborah and more so now, knowing how much of herself she is giving . What I admire most about her after having read the article is the choice she made about breast augmentation . As a doctor, a woman and a mother myself - I know Deborah has put a lot of thought into that decision and has made a wise choice. I will be so happy should she become Miss Universe but if she doesn't I will still be proud that we sent a deserving , selfless individual who epitomises " a beauty with brains and a purpose" All the best to Deborah and the team - my heart and spirit will be with you as we cheer you on from home on September 12 th 2011.

Anonymous said...

Andrea,

First of all, a big thank you to you for having transformed the Miss Malaysia Universe brand from the stagnant backwaters to one with a vision and direction.

Deborah Henry is the best Malaysia has ever presented. She is absolutely beautiful, ever so intelligent She will make all Malaysians proud. Amazing woman. Deborah, you will stun the world in Sao Paulo. Kudos to your initiatives for the refugee children.

All the best to the both of you.

Maslysia / Marlysia said...

Good choices Andrea!. I hope next times many girls from Malaysia u choices can step forward to top 15 and top 5. Please call back to Mourhrna Reddy, Dalvin Parsh, Sonia Menon, Robyna Melissa Hon, Claudia Tania Sibert to join Miss Malaysia. Your pageants....good luck!

Anonymous said...

All the to Miss Deborah, I pray 4 her SUCCESS in MU2011 at BRAZIL this coming SEPT..can't wait to watch her on the stage...and 4 u,andrea and all the teams, uols do a very good job 4 Miss Deborah..2 thumbs up! V@@V -all the way,frm Sarawak- Xoxo JOE AZA

kae said...

i love her more now even more.r.e.s.p.e.c.t can i do email interview with her for my blog?would she spent time to answer it?

Ajax Shams said...

OMG! only God knows how sad n frustrated i am knowing that she didnt even make to the top 16!

but she's still the one in our heart...stay fab, deb!!....

Fun said...

Deborah Henry has certainly done a great job and she proves that there are indeed beautiful girls (with substance) from Malaysia.

However, MU is always the toughest (most unpredictable too)pageant, it takes tons of effort to be upthere! Ines Ligron also took some years to produce a MU winner for Japan!

I believe after Deborah Henry, there will be more great gals competing the national pageant!!

I am so looking forward to seeing another strong contender from Malaysia!!

gd luck~

Anonymous said...

it's all politics in the MU pageant, they chose Angola this year due to the poverty issues which are being highlighted this year, and previous years Russia for some other reason, etc. It has nothing to do with the girls, it's all about what's happening in the world.