AS the race to the Miss Universe Malaysia 2012 crown heats up, the top 12 finalists of the beauty pageant were handed their biggest assignment — handling a question and answer session with the media.
Returning to the “interrogation room” at the WhiteSpace in Solaris SOHO, Mont Kiara in Kuala Lumpur were The Star executive editor Datuk Wong Sai Wan, The Malaysian Insider chief executive officer Jahabar Sadiq and yours truly, dubbed the “cili padi” senior writer of The Daily Chilli.
Just for the record, the power trio played an instrumental role in shaping up last year’s cream of the crop — emotionally and intellectually.
Unlike last year, advance notice was given to the girls in the BeautyCamp — as per their reality show by Andrea Fonseka, the national director of the well-established pageant.
Briefing session: Jahabar (left) and Noorsila (right) get all serious during a media training workshop for the Miss Universe Malaysia 2012 finalists. But still, things got a lot tougher for them this time around with celebrity columnist Joe Lee — known for his no-holds-barred interviews in The Malay Mail — on board.
“Joe and I made the girls cry,” Wong said.
And their tears were captured on camera as the Kyanite TV crew got up close and personal with the beauties.
The Miss Universe Malaysia 2012 hopefuls were grilled on various political, social, economic and human interest issues.
Well, no rehearsed lines were allowed.
Getting it right: Wong (left) and Lee, get tough with the finalists during a media session. Anything that the girls said could be used against them.
“Tell us why you think you deserve to be the next Miss Universe Malaysia,” Jahabar questioned his nervous interviewees.
“Do you champion any good cause in life? Why do you think you deserve the media’s attention?”
Among a handful who stood out was Stephanie Vincent, 23.
The pretty lass from Malacca moved the panel media with her heart-warming story on how she and her family have been helping the homeless in their hometown since she was 14.
Sharing his concern for the future Miss Universe Malaysia, Wong added, “It’s amazing that Andrea has found fresh new faces compared to last year. She’s close to finding brains with beauty. But she’s not there yet.
“The organisers should be a bit careful. In trying to find a new face for Miss Universe Malaysia, they’re not finding girls who are mature enough to take part in international pageants.”
Taking the media’s constructive comments in her stride, Fonseka said, “It’s great for the girls to experience what it’s like to be interviewed by professionals who are respected in their field.
“Some of them stumbled, due to immaturity and bad ‘media habits’. But these girls have what it takes to be the amazing spokesperson for our nation provided they learn from the right people!”
Relating her personal experience, the former beauty queen added, “Being media- savvy is not something you’re born with. It’s a learned skill, like many other elements of a pageantry.”
The finals of the Miss Universe Malaysia 2012 will be aired live over Astro Hitz.TV (channel 705) on Nov 10 at 9pm.
Corporate tables are available at the gala night.
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