NURUL Zuriantie Shamsul still finds it hard to believe that she is in the finals of Miss Universe New Zealand 2018. Firstly, she has no prior experience in a beauty pageant, let alone modelling.
Secondly, she dons a hijab, something which is still considered unusual in such pageants.
It all began when she saw an advertisement for the Miss Universe NZ contest. She thought: “Why not?”.
“It did not cross my mind that I would be accepted. I did not even bother to tell my family and friends about it. Imagine my surprise when I received an email informing me that I had secured a place in the semi-final. Never did I expect I would go that far,” said the Ampang-born lass.
In the early stages, Nurul was a bit sceptical about her involvement in the competition.
“I thought beauty pageants were all about good-looking women flaunting their beauty, and that hijab-wearing people like me will feel out of place.”
Her views changed, however, when she attended the semi-finalist camp.
“The organisers gave a talk about what Miss Universe NZ is all about. It’s not all about beauty on the outside, but inner beauty and more.”
“I was inspired. I felt that taking part in the competition was not all in vain. It presents an opportunity to offer the world other perspectives of the Muslim community — that Islam is not about terrorism and denying the rights of women. I want to break these misconceptions.”
Nurul said taking part in the Miss Universe NZ pageant offered her a perspective that was different than what she had imagined before.
“The organisers are understanding and respect my clothing style and dietary restrictions (halal food). It warms my heart.
“The contestants have been very supportive of one another. Honestly, they are among the loveliest bunch of girls I have rubbed shoulders with.
“Some are experienced models and talented dancers. I’m just a student, but I don’t feel like I am sidelined.”
KAFTAN INSTEAD OF BIKINI
Will she wear a bikini in the finals?
Nope, said Nurul. In fact, she does not have to.
“The organisers have removed the live swimsuit session since 2012 and replaced it with a calendar shoot.”
Nurul said the shoot, set in a beach background, allowed contestants to wear whatever they were comfortable in. While many opted for swimwear or active sportswear, Nurul said she donned a beach kaftan-like outfit.
The shoot, she said, was done in Bangkok, Thailand, during the week-long Miss Universe NZ retreat of fun and luxury.
When asked if she would advocate removing the live swimsuit session for Miss Universe Malaysia, she said every organisation had its own set of rules and regulations, and she needed to respect that.
“Beauty pageants are progressing. The idea of beauty needs to be more diverse and inclusive, rather than exclusive. I hope the opportunity presented to me will help break boundaries and we can redefine the meaning of beauty.”
A WORTHY TRADE-OFF
One of the biggest decisions Nurul had to make was choosing between the pageant and a university symposium programme with the United Nations.
She said the UN programme had always been a dream of hers but it had clashed with the competition dates.
“Initially, I didn’t know what to do. I really wanted to join the symposium but I felt the Miss Universe NZ offered a good platform for me to advocate positivity.”
Nurul, who is a psychology and social policy major at the University of Waikato, plans to pursue community psychology in the future.
“I want to liberate and empower people, and make communities thrive. The Miss Universe platform has given me a feel of what it’s like to be liberated. I want to inspire women to be more confident in their inner beauty and embrace it.”
THE FACE OF ‘BIASA JE’
Nurul is unfazed by comments on social media that she is biasa je (just ordinary).
“I’d like to think that my participation represents the ‘everyday, average girls’. I want to inspire them to break out from inferiority complex and self-doubts, and just do what they want to do in life.”
Negative comments aside, Nurul said there were positive and encouraging comments, which gave her more confidence to move ahead.
“Love yourself, know your self-worth because at the end of the day, you are what you want to be and not decided by comments on social media.
“Live your life the way you know how to, do your best and believe in yourself.”
VOTE FOR HER
The Miss Universe NZ winner is based on 50 per cent judges score and 50 per cent public voting.
To vote for Nurul, log on to https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/aug/nurul-shamsul . The link is available on her Instagram @nurulzbshamsul . There is still time to vote as the competition will be held on Aug 4.
QUICK FACTS
- Nurul Zuriantie Shamsul
- Student
- Born in Ampang to a Malaysian father and Indonesian mother. Her family migrated to New Zealand when she was five years old.
- Writes poetry in her spare time. Her works were published in the 50th edition of New Zealand Poetry
-Her blog is titled “The Girl in The Wine Red Scarf”
- All-time favourite movie is Mean Girls, a 2014 American teen comedy film directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey.