Crowned: A Look at the New Miss Universe Malaysia 2012

So we crowned our new Miss Universe 2012.

Now of course I know this news is so yesterday (10 November 2011 to be exact). But I thought I'd cook up a post anyway to end what I started earlier here.

The show was... let's just say, it barely lived up to all the promises of the usual pageantry and pomp that comes with a beauty contest like this. The organisation's first attempt at broadcasting a live show was evident, but for the same reason, forgiveable. Despite the less than enchanting show - at one point, one could not help but wonder whether the show was set to crown the new Miss Universe Malaysia or to get viewers to sashay from left to right at a Dayang Nurfaizah concert (the songstress filled up all the performance slots, belting out 3-4 songs throughout the night, and oddly, none of them were hers) - a winner emerged.

Clad in a pink, Bill Keith number, Kimberley Ann Estrop-Leggett took home the crown, sweeping along the Miss Photogenic title and the Nestle Fitnesse Award.

A close-up of the new Miss Universe Malaysia 2o12, flanked by 2011 winner Deborah Henry

During the Final Question & Answer, Leggett was asked, "Malaysia is a multi-racial country, with different people, with different religions, beliefs and systems. How do you think we can strengthen our unity and keep the country in harmony?"

"I believe following the Malaysian national motto which is "Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu", that we all should unite together. For example, myself being of mixed racial background, I believe that what makes myself feel proud, being a Malaysian, is that we are a mix of backgrounds, we are a blend of cultures, and we all can sit together in a room like we are tonight and are celebrating our unity. Thank you," the 18-year-old Penangnite replied.

Upon closer inspection, Leggett technically did not answer the question, merely asserting the fact that Malaysians can come together in harmony, offering no suggestions as to how unity can be strengthened, as the question demanded.

Truth be told, given the circumstance, anyone would have been tongue-tied faced with a crowd hoping you'd do either exceedingly well (Kim-boleh supporters, as they call it), or hope you'd stumble midway in a sentence (of which another contestant unfortunately succumbed to).

Nonetheless, was her inability (at the heat of the moment) to hit the question on the nail, giving in to a case of verbal diarrhoea instead forgiveable? In other words, should she have won?

Honestly, I don't know.

The Final Q&A session gave only a measly 20% weightage in determining the overall winner. Had that percentage been dramatically higher, she would have easily lost the crown. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think she's intellectually-challenged or anything but she needs to improve on her ability to provide a clear, succinct answer when caught in a storm full of fiery darts. Let this be a lesson to all then (I know, like who am I to be showing the ropes right?).

But I guess, it boiled down to the remaining 80%. I admit, she was the most striking-looking (so much so that she reminds me of one of those girls who would do well in the Estee Lauder model search, with reference to her mixed ancestry). For some reason, it seems like she was dressed to win, the Bill Keith gown fitted her remarkably. The bright pink contrasted her pale porcelain skin while her hair, swept to right, brought an old school glamour while revealing the length of her neck.

Leggett taking her first walk as Miss Universe Malaysia

One thing concerns me though, I'm not sure if her mixed parentage would sit well with the judges at the upcoming Miss Universe 2012 - it could work either way. She may be at a disadvantage if the judges deem that her European features does not reflect her Malaysian locals or at an advantage if the judges opine that she reflected a universal appeal (it is Miss Universe after all), binding together attributes of the East and the West due to her Malaysian and British-Dutch ancestry.

For the sake of all Malaysians, let's hope it's the latter.

P/S: Below you'll find a string of runner-ups who for the first time, these runner-ups look like they were just as close to the crown as Leggett. These noteworthy ladies include:

3rd runner-up, Juanita Ramayah

We all thought she was going to clinch the 1st runner-up title, at the very least. Yes, very pretty. To me, she was the most likeable because she exuded a sense of humility (judging on the outside of course). Like she knew she was pretty but she was more shy about it than she was proud - and that for some reason, was very attractive. Facially, her beauty came through despite the heavy make-up on the gala night, but there was too much going on with her hair, the extensions added drama indeed but to a point where she could have roared and I would have passed her off as a lion without a doubt. Anyway, did I mention, she's a juniour doing the same course I did at Taylor's? Yes, don't mind the biasness.

2nd runner-up, Boon Lu Xanne

She was by far the most outstanding Chinese beauty in the pageant, attributed to her dimples perhaps - flown in from the Grand Canyon I suspect. At one point, I thought she might just win it. Her answer during the Final Q&A was confident, although her delivery could be improved. Styling wise, on the night, for some reason she didn't look as fresh-faced as I've seen her during the TV episodes before. Her face was framed by one of those voluminous sexy locks but it overpowered her delicate face, I felt. I like her here, with her hair slicked to the back.

1st runner-up, Gabriella Robinson

Robinson dominated the voting polls, with a landslide win of 50% (thereabout) of all SMS votes. Styling wise, I have so much to say. On the gala night, the team's styling did not do her beauty justice. Her hair was almost nightmare-ish (I exaggerate). It looked drab and lifeless. What happened to her freshly-cut bangs by A Cut Above weeks before? And her gown? The high neckline and bright-Chinese-New-Year- red tone added an "aunty-ness" to her already mature-looking features. If it's any consolation, she handled her Final Q&A rather well.