MODEL, actress and mentor of the Mrs Malaysia Asia International pageant Amber Chia talks about the importance of a contest that celebrates women and the many roles they play.
Question: Why is it important to have the Mrs Malaysia Asia International pageant?
Answer: The Mrs Malaysia Asia International Pageant was originally a humble pageant promoting two important ‘M’s in a woman’s life — marriage and motherhood. Over the years, it has grown into a national event for married women in Malaysia.
It seeks to unveil the meaning of true beauty in today’s modern, empowered married woman. This event aims to bring out the best attributes of women, such as their life goals, self-esteem, confidence, talent, social engagements, commitment to public services and their drive to succeed.
Q: How is this pageant different from other beauty contests?
A: Everyone is familiar with beauty pageants — young, beautiful and talented women confidently strutting their stuff on the world stage, vying to be the winner of an acclaimed pageant title. However, with this comes the perception that once married, women are no longer as beautiful or as desirable as their younger counterparts.
Mrs Malaysia Asia International Pageant is a platform for married and more mature ladies to show that beauty, talent and success do not end after marriage.
This pageant aims to show that married women are still just as confident, desirable and charitable as they were when they were single, and maybe even more than before.
Q: What is the criteria to participate and what are some of the main categories?
A: As long as you are married, a Malaysian citizen, or married to a Malaysian citizen. Some of the titles are Mrs Malaysia Asia International 2017 Timeless Beauty Classic, Mrs Malaysia Asia International 2017, Mrs Popularity Queen, Mrs Congeniality Queen, Mrs Charity Queen, Best in Cultural Wear, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Talent, Best in Confidence, Mrs Charisma, Mrs Beauty with a Heart, Mrs Beautiful Skin, Mrs Elegance, Mrs Body Beautiful and Mrs Photogenic.
Q: How do you define beauty?
A: Beauty goes beyond physical attributes. It emphasises the true essence of successful and empowered modern women who strive to achieve a balance in their lives as well as contributing to family and society. She is someone who has true confidence and a positive mind to go along with her physical beauty.
Beauty has always been more about the intangible qualities of a person. This is the inner beauty so many people talk about. I honestly believe in this, as physical beauty is only skin deep.
Q: What are the differences between women in different stages of their life?
A: There are five stages in life. Firstly, the childhood stage. This is where we first learn about love and life. We learn about love from our parents. By far, I feel this is the most important stage as it shapes who we eventually become. At this stage, we are innocent and willing to accept anyone for their love towards us.
Then, comes the teenage, dream-chasing stage. Back then, all I could think of was how to become a model. I ate, lived and breathed fashion, beauty and modelling. At this stage, we are more open to learning things and listening to advice from people.
Then, we move on to the third — the career-defining stage. In most instances, we would have realised our dreams by now, as I did after winning the Guess Timeless Beauty Search. At this stage, all I wanted to do was work as much as I could for a brighter future. At times, I was so consumed by my goals.
Then comes stage four, which puts things back into perspective — the family-building stage. Getting married and having a child, I must say, is the most beautiful thing that has happened in my life. It made me realise why I had dreams in the first place and made me realise what I was working for. It’s like coming full circle.
As for stage five, I’m sure there’s one, but I just haven’t experienced it yet, but I’m sure it will be fantastic.
Q: It is said that women should age gracefully. What is your opinion?
A: I definitely agree that women should make an effort to age gracefully because at different stages in life, women have different types of beauty. Sometimes, when I look at an older lady with a big smile on her face, radiating happiness and wisdom, it spreads to others around her. I believe this is the true result of beauty.
To me, ageing gracefully means growing old with no regrets in your heart, making sure you’ve done everything you set out to do, whether you’ve succeeded or not, and mending all fences that you’re supposed to mend.
Having achieved all these means the person is happy, physically and mentally. There is nothing more beautiful and graceful than that.
Auditions for the pageant were held last week at Connexion @ Nexus in Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur, where the top 25 finalists were selected to be groomed for the pageant’s finals in May.
The top three contestants will represent Malaysia at the Mrs Asia International Beauty Pageant in Shanghai, China.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/MrsAsiaInternational/