Lina does us proud at Miss World Pageant

MAHE BEACH (Seychelles): Lina Teoh became the first-ever Malaysian to win one of the top three spots in the Miss World Pageant when she emerged second runner-up here on Thursday.

Lina, 21, who is perhaps best known for her role as an uptight lawyer on Ntv7's English sitcom Kopitiam, had stood out during the close to three weeks spent by contestants on these easy-going islands, with her eye-catching costumes.

Her outfits included a splashy one-piece swimsuit in bright pink sprinkled with rhinestones and tassels.

"Not something you can swim in," giggled Lina, who was more restrained in the evening wear category.

She wore a high necked, long black dress with a bustle at the back. Both were created by her friend, Malaysian designer Andrew Gan.

The product of a Chinese father and Dutch mother, one of the first things she did after the results were announced was to call her parents in Malaysia who were sleepy but overjoyed.

"It's the most amazing thing to bring my country so far," she said in a phone interview with The New Paper.

"I'm having a ball here," she said before the pageant, describing it as "the most amazing experience of my life."

During the contest, she was asked many questions about the political situation in Malaysia.

"I just told them I support my country, I support Dr Mahathir. He's a very smart man who has ruled the country for 17 years and has taken it to prosperity."

Nineteen-year-old Linor Abargil of Israel won the Miss World crown on a high-tech stage rising from a lagoon as fireworks arced into the tropical night and music boomed.

Miss France, 23-year-old Veronique Caloc of the Caribbean island of Martinique, was first runner-up.

Rain fell just before the two-hour pageant started, but the weather cleared as it got under way, the moon blurring through the clouds and competing with electric lights enclosed in gas-filled balloons tethered to the bed of the lagoon.

The audience, seated in a lagoon beach, watched pre-recorded film of the girls, divided into groups of 11, swim, play volleyball or practise aerobics.

The initial 86 entrants were whittled down to 10 girls from Israel, Peru, Chile, France, Brazil, the United States, Jamaica, South Africa, Malaysia and the Czech Republic.

The theme of the pageant was the sea and the environment. Seychelles played host for the second successive year.

MAHE BEACH (Seychelles) -- Lina Teoh confessed that she was a bit disappointed when she came in third at Thursday's Miss World pageant but then the thought of others who would die to be in her shoes perked her up.

"At first, I was disappointed. Like most contestants, I wanted to be Miss World. Only later did I realise that I was lucky to be No 3.

"There were so many broken hearts. Many would die to be in my shoes," she told The Sun in an exclusive interview published yesterday.

She said the judges picked her because she is an extrovert. "They looked at candidates who are more outgoing and less reserved. They must have a certain amount of self-confidence."

Ms Teoh told the daily that she wants to be a director.

"The kind of films I'd like to direct have to be serious, with a touch of history. Something along the lines of Braveheart."

Asked if she wanted to emulate former Miss Malaysia Michelle Yeoh, who has gone to Hollywood and starred in a James Bond movie, she said: "Yes, I would like to try my luck there. But for the next year, I'd like to dedicate my life to Malaysia. I would not be where I am today without Malaysian support."

Also in the same newspaper, a former Miss Malaysia/Universe, Ms Maggie Loo, said Ms Teoh's victory was Malaysia's victory.

"Her victory does a lot of good for Malaysia," she said, adding that the triumph shows Malaysians can achieve whatever they want if they put their minds to it.

"Lina has good looks and brains. She is blessed with the looks of the 90s woman, who is not only beautiful but also confident.

"She looks like she will not be influenced by the glamour that comes with winning the third prize," said Ms Loo, who won the Miss Malaysia title in 1973 when she was 18.

Mahe (Seychelles), Fri : Lina Teoh confessed she was a bit dissappointed when she came in third at the  Miss World Pagent held here last night. But then the thought of others who would die to be in her shoes, perked her up.

In an exclusive interview in her room at the Berjaya Mahe Beach Hotel hours after her triumph, she talked about the night of her life.

The Sun: What are your feelings about your achievement?

Lina: At first I was disappointed. Like most contestants, I wanted to be Miss World. Only later I realised that I am lucky to be number three. There were so many broken hearts. Many would die to be in my shoes.

Some of these girls took many months of preparations to be where they are. Naturally when they didn't qualify for the top 10, they felt a little disappointed.

So beauty pageants can demoralise a person. So why have them in the first place?

When you join a beauty pageant, you must expect such disappointments. Not all 86 contestants can reach the last 10.

Even I, if I hadn't qualified, would have felt dejected. I might have even cried for a week. It's a natural feeling.

The point is one must learnt to put one's disappointment behind and get on with life.

Last year's Miss Malaysia was Pan Asian. This year's is another Pan Asian. Do you think there is a perception Pan Asian are more beautiful?

I don't think the local organisers picked Miss Malaysia based on her race. The looked at candidates who are more outgoing and less reserved. They must have a certain amout of self-confidence.

At the Miss World pageant, the contestants have to out do each other. If you are shy, you are unlikely to stand out. I believe they picked me because I'm an extrovert.

Prior to your win, did you face any pressure as the previous Miss Malaysia, Arianna Teoh, did so well in the pageant?

Yes, I did to a certain extent. I felt very pressured. I was putting pressure on myself. It was a horrible feeling.

Once I arrived in Seychelles, I decided to stay cool. I felt if I made it to the top 50, that would be good enough for me.

Can you relate some of your experiences in the pageant?

I've been on this island for nearly a month. The first four days the contestants went to Paris. There was an auction where all contestants brought something from their countries to be auctioned off. I brought tapak sireh. Then we returned to Seychelles to get ready for the pageant. I have had the time of my life.

Was there hostility among the contestants?

No. We needed each other. All of us are in a country that is far away from our homes. We all feel homesick. In fact, we supported each other through to this moment.

The 86 contestants were divided into 8 groups. Each group behaved like a family. It was a magical experience for us here. At the end of the pageant, it was difficult to say goodbye.

There is a perception that beauty pageants such as Miss World are degrading to women. What is your comment?

First of all, we can't generalise beauty pageants. Miss World has raised funds for many needy bodies. It has helped many unfortunate souls.

I've heard that you want to be a director. What kind of films would you like to direct?

The kind of films I'd like to direct have to be serious with a touch of history. Something along the lines of Braveheart.

I like to educate as well as entertain people.

You were reluctant to take part in the Miss Malaysia pageant initially. Why?

Yes, I was reluctant to be Miss Malaysia. But Arianna Teoh coaxed me into it.

Do you want to emulate former Miss Malaysia Michelle Yeoh and try Hollywood?

Yes. I would like to try my luck there. But for next year I'd like to dedicate my life to Malaysia. I will not be where I am today without Malaysian support.

Everyone has given me tremendous support. Some international modelling agencies have shown interest in me.

But I am more interested in making my mark as an actress overseas.

Lina was snubbed by Aussies, says mum

"The bad things that have happened have just made me stronger, more determined," Lina said. -- Bernama

There's nothing like home, says Lina

"It is obviously hard for me because it is someone who I know personally," she said.