By Steven Patrick
You wouldn't expect an English teacher, auditor and a student of process and chemical engineering to try out for a beauty pageant, but that's just what happened at the recent Miss Malaysia Universe casting sessions.
These three women were some of the hopefuls trying out for the Miss Malaysia Universe 2012 casting session, that began March 19.
Tehmina Kaoosji, 26, of Persian-Chinese heritage said, “It’s high time we had someone who’s a true representative of a Malaysian woman at a beauty pageant. Most people treat it like a joke and think that only shallow girls take part. That's not true.”
These three women were some of the hopefuls trying out for the Miss Malaysia Universe 2012 casting session, that began March 19.
Tehmina Kaoosji, 26, of Persian-Chinese heritage said, “It’s high time we had someone who’s a true representative of a Malaysian woman at a beauty pageant. Most people treat it like a joke and think that only shallow girls take part. That's not true.”
Kaoosji, who teaches English to expatriates, is also an avid reader is currently reading The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein.
“It’s about the rise of disaster capitalism,” she said.
These books describe the corporate reengineering of societies following catastrophes such as wars, terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
“It’s about the rise of disaster capitalism,” she said.
These books describe the corporate reengineering of societies following catastrophes such as wars, terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
"It's not all about choosing the right eyeliner," she laughs.
Kaoosji was also a finalist in last year's Estee Lauder Model Search.
Another brainy beauty at the casting sessions was an auditor, who wanted to be known only as Stephanie.
She said she decided to give the pageant a try because she wanted a break from her daily life of balance sheets and financial statements.
“I want to give myself a chance at this and have some fun,” said the 25-year-old accounting and commercial law graduate.
She said she decided to give the pageant a try because she wanted a break from her daily life of balance sheets and financial statements.
“I want to give myself a chance at this and have some fun,” said the 25-year-old accounting and commercial law graduate.
Genevie Anyie, 24, who is studying process and chemical engineering at a local university, said this pageant is a great opportunity to prove that beauties have brains too.
The Sarawakian was the runner-up in the Miss Borneo Beautiful 2010 pageant.
The casting call was at Sunway Pyramid.
There will be another day of casting on March 20 at the same venue from 11am to 7pm.
Other confirmed casting-call venues include Sarawak Spring Mall in Kuching on March 26 and 27, and Mahkota Parade in Malacca on April 2 and 3.
The winner will be crowned in November.
Other confirmed casting-call venues include Sarawak Spring Mall in Kuching on March 26 and 27, and Mahkota Parade in Malacca on April 2 and 3.
The winner will be crowned in November.
Published March 19 2011