FROM a shy young woman hesitant to enter the spotlight, her journey to becoming one of Malaysia’s top beauty queens is remarkable.
Initially, she struggled with self-confidence and felt uncomfortable in her skin. However, it was during her first beauty pageant in university that she began to blossom.
“I have been involved in pageantry since 2017, with my first competition taking place during my university days at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP).
“It was held at Aman Central, and I remember feeling shy at first. But participating in that pageant completely transformed my confidence.
“It sharpened my communication and public speaking skills and pushed me out of my comfort zone,” said Ashlyn Ooi, the winner of Miss International Malaysia (MIM) 2024, during an interview today.
Over time, the stage became a source of empowerment for Ashlyn, allowing her to shed her insecurities and discover her inner strength. Every competition challenged her to grow, honing her communication skills and teaching her grace under pressure.
“Through this journey, I discovered who I truly am. I feel most connected and comfortable with myself when I am on stage.
“Beauty pageants are a valuable platform for young people to explore their potential and discover more about themselves. Many of us struggle with self-doubt, but experiences like these build confidence and resilience.
“Beauty pageants are not just about outward appearances; they require perseverance, dedication, and the ability to inspire others,” shared the 27-year-old Penangite, from Paya Terubong.
Now, Ashlyn stands as Malaysia’s representative in one of the world’s most prestigious beauty pageants – the 62nd Miss International Beauty Pageant 2024.
The following are the world’s “Big Four” international beauty pageants, considered the most prestigious and significant globally – Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth.
This marks her second international pageant, following her participation in the Face of Beauty International in the Philippines in 2019.
“It is an honour to represent my country again,” she said.
Ashlyn, who formerly worked as a bank assistant sales manager before fully committing to pageantry, is also a fashion model, commercial talent, and live host for several renowned brands.
For the upcoming Miss International Beauty Pageant, she will proudly showcase the Baba Nyonya kebaya by award-winning designer Baba Dr Kenny Loh, highlighting Penang’s unique cultural heritage.
“I am proud to showcase Penang’s cultural diversity, reminding the world of the richness of our state and country,” she said.
Dr Loh, who has gained recognition for his designs, was also selected to create Nyonya kebayas for Chinese actress Fan Bingbing during her debut as Melaka’s tourism ambassador in June.
Miss International Malaysia (MIM) chairman Jenny Ngu expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Penang government and the Penang Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace) Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai for their tremendous support.
“This support is a true testament to your unwavering commitment to promoting Penang’s rich cultural heritage and empowering young talents like Ashlyn to shine on the global stage.
“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Ashlyn on winning the MIM 2024 title in Sabah. Her victory is a reflection of her dedication, beauty, and intelligence.
“We are incredibly proud that she will be representing both Penang and Malaysia at the 62nd Miss International Beauty Pageant 2024 in Tokyo, Japan, on Nov 12.
“We are deeply grateful to Petace and YB Wong for their generous sponsorship, ensuring that Ashlyn has the resources to participate in this prestigious event.
“Your support not only enables her to excel internationally but also serves to showcase Penang’s cultural vibrancy and immense talent to the world,” Ngu said.
Wong emphasised that Ashlyn exemplifies the qualities Penang aims to foster within its community: resilience, cultural pride, and a commitment to excellence.
“The Miss International competition is an important platform for cultural exchange and global engagement. It allows delegates to not only showcase their country’s heritage and values but also highlight their nation’s innovations on the world stage.
“Ashlyn’s participation underscores Penang’s role in enhancing Malaysia’s international presence and reflects our state’s dedication to nurturing world-class talent,” he said.
Wong further stressed the Penang government’s commitment, through Petace, to supporting local talent and creating opportunities for Penangites to excel globally.
“We eagerly anticipate seeing Ashlyn shine in Tokyo, and we are confident that she will represent Penang and Malaysia with professionalism, grace, and integrity,” he said.
The public can visit the Miss International Malaysia Instagram page to show their support for Ashlyn and Malaysia in this prestigious competition.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting and Siew Chia En