Cover The new national director of Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation shares what beauty means to her (Photo: Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation)
The new national director of Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation shares what beauty means to her (Photo: Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation)
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The new national director of Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation shares what beauty means to her and the value of inner qualities in a platform like Miss Universe Malaysia
In the world of beauty pageants, tradition often dictates the rules, but under the leadership of Eleen Yong, the Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation (MUMO) is breaking new ground.
As the newly appointed national director, Yong is ushering in a different era, redefining beauty standards and expanding the pageant’s inclusivity to reflect the diverse experiences of modern women.
With a rich background in modelling and management via Elpis Models Management, a modelling agency she founded in 2020, Yong’s journey to this pivotal role is backed by years of experience in an industry known more for its cutthroat competition than inclusivity and diversity.
Yong’s extensive experience in the fashion industry, spanning from Milan to Dubai, has equipped her with a unique perspective that she now brings to the forefront of MUMO. “Models bring designers’ visions to life, while pageant participants are role models for their communities and beyond,” she says.
Her leadership approach at MUMO hinges on this, where she emphasises the importance of contestants connecting with people’s hearts and making their true selves visible, aside from just appearance.
In a bold move, MUMO recently lifted the upper age limit and opened the competition to married women, divorced women, and mothers. This decision, driven by Yong’s forward-thinking leadership, aims to celebrate the diverse experiences and strengths of women from all walks of life. “We recognise that the new era is upon us, and it’s time to reflect that in our competition,” she asserts.
The removal of these restrictions marks a significant shift in the pageant world, one that Yong believes will make the competition more dynamic and inspiring. The inclusion of women who have navigated the complexities of life, whether through marriage, motherhood, or other significant life experiences, adds depth and richness to the stories that will be showcased on the Miss Universe Malaysia stage.
As MUMO evolves, Yong hopes to promote a more holistic and empowering definition of beauty. Her vision is one where women uplift each other, learn from each other’s experiences, and showcase their inner strength and resilience.
Above Eleen Yong has had an extensive career in modeling, gracing runways in major fashion capitals like Milan (Photo: Courtesy of Eleen Yong)
Eleen Yong has had an extensive career in modeling, gracing runways in major fashion capitals like Milan (Photo: Courtesy of Eleen Yong)
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We can show that true beauty lies in being authentic.
Growing up, who or what shaped your definition of a woman’s beauty?
My mother shaped my definition of beauty. She was financially independent, fashionable, and worked in the beauty industry. Her calmness and support gave me my earliest understanding of beauty. As I grew older, I became aware of societal expectations and fashion trends that influence perceptions of beauty.
Later, I realised true beauty includes the strength to overcome challenges and the ability to nurture others. Today, I see beauty as a combination of inner strength, love, and the ability to spread hope.
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The Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation recently removed the upper age limit, accepting married women, divorced women, and mothers in the 2024 call for entries. What was the motivation behind this change?
The motivation is to break the standards of the past and embrace the evolving definition of beauty and womanhood. We recognise that the new era is upon us, and it’s time to reflect that in our competition. This inclusivity allows us to celebrate the diverse experiences and strengths of all women, regardless of their marital status, age, or motherhood.
We are excited to see the endless possibilities and the rich, varied stories these women will bring to the competition. This change will undoubtedly make the competition more dynamic, inspiring, and reflective of the real world achievements and beauty of women from all walks of life.
What kind of positive change do you hope to create in your new role?
I envision a platform where women empower each other, fostering a learning environment for all rather than just competing. This starts with the selection of our delegates, which is why I worked towards removing the upper age limit and marital status restrictions. By encouraging greater diversity, we create more opportunities to learn from one another.
It’s important to recognise that beauty standards often come under scrutiny as a form of filtering rather than an absolute measure. Miss Universe is a stage for a competition where contestants strive to stand out and gain attention. While this might seem competitive, it’s fundamentally about showcasing diverse qualities and talents.
Under my leadership, the Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation will promote a broader definition of beauty by celebrating diverse backgrounds and inner qualities. We’ll focus on showcasing contestants’ strength, resilience, and unique stories, moving beyond narrow beauty standards to empower and reflect the diverse beauty of women today.
Beyond marital status and age, are there any other ways you envision the pageant becoming more inclusive in the future?
Absolutely. One significant area we’re considering is the height requirement. Miss Universe has already done away with this actually, and it’s something we’re also open to. Traditionally, height has been a factor for attention, but we’ve always welcomed candidates who don’t meet the traditional height requirement if they demonstrate other areas of strength effectively.
Our primary focus is on stage performance, charisma, and the ability to captivate and inspire support. We believe that aura and stage presence can outweigh any height limitations. In fact, during our recent audition, we met with candidates who didn’t meet the height requirement to explore their potential.
How can the Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation use its platform to promote positive messages about self-esteem, inner beauty, and individuality?
The Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation has the potential to play a significant role in promoting self-esteem, inner beauty, and individuality. Personally, I believe it starts with sharing authentic stories. By highlighting the personal journeys of our contestants, showing their growth and how they've overcome challenges, this can resonate deeply with young girls, encouraging them to value their own experiences.
Celebrating unique talents is another powerful way to spread this message. By featuring the diverse talents and backgrounds of our contestants, we can show that true beauty lies in being authentic. It's about being yourself, no matter how different that might be from the norm.
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
