SPOTLIGHT: Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 Francisca Luhong James

A 25-year-old part-time model and former public relations and marketing executive, Francisca Luhong James, will represent Malaysia at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida this May.

The Kayan-Kenyah-Iban native from Kuching, Sarawak, is the first woman with full native heritage to win the Miss Universe Malaysia title. She holds a first-class honors degree in mass communications and majored in public relations.

Beauty-and-brain Francisca used to be a track-and-field athlete who despite having asthma was awarded three medals and she would like to inspire more native women to pursue their dreams. Besides advocating for women's empowerment, she also started a foundation Beyond Aid to raise money for refugees and underprivileged children.

In a recent interview with a Malaysian morning TV show, she was asked "Why should you be the next Miss Universe?" and she genuinely replied: "I should be the next Miss Universe because I am not just representing myself and my country but I'm representing all the women who think that they are small, and those who came from a minority group, that they too have equal chance to create their own history and to be their owned universe."

Malaysia has yet to win the Miss Universe pageant. The country's highest achievement happened 51 years ago with Josephine Lena Wong who placed in the Top 15 during Miss Universe 1970.


Photos: Blackpepper Production / Hair: Sheila Mohamad / Makeup: Shaari Amin / Wardrobe: Rizman Ruzaini / Shoes: Rizman Ruzaini

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Maine USA 2025 is Shelby Howell from Bangor

Image
Shelby Howell, representing Bangor, was crowned Miss Maine USA 2025 during the state final held on Sunday, May 11 in Portland. The 24-year-old real estate agent succeeds last year's winner Anne Baldridge and will now proceed to represent Maine at Miss USA 2025. Mara Carpenter of Cumberland County was named first runner-up while Jordon Hudson of Hancock, Reykha Lindor of Old Town, and Hannah Trottier-Braun of Lewiston were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Maine USA is a former Miss Multiverse America and the grand winner of Miss CosmoWorld 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She initiated the mission-driven nonprofit Single Parent Housing Foundation to help single parents in Maine find stability, support, and a path to homeownership. Apart from Shelby, Seacoast representative Jazmine Raine Werner clinched the title of Miss Maine Teen USA 2025 and will head to the Miss Teen USA 2025 pageant. Road to Miss USA and Miss Teen USA...
Read more

Estonia's Eliise Randmaa wins gold in sports challenge at Miss World 2025

Image
Miss World Estonia Eliise Randmaa has been announced as the gold winner of the 72nd Miss World Sports Challenge. The fast-track event was held on Saturday, May 17 at the iconic Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, India. Eliise has now secured a Top 10 placement in her continental region and in the Top 40 among 108 contestants vying for this year's title. Miss World Martinique Aurélie Joachim and Miss World Canada Emma Morrrison were awarded the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Anna-Lise Nanton placed fourth. Before the challenge, the contestants were divided into four regional teams — Americas & Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Asia & Oceania. A bleep test helped determined 32 outstanding qualifiers followed by different sports competitions including basketball, badminton, football, shuttle fitness runs, and sprint. The Miss World 2025 final and coronation show will be held on May 3 at the HITEX Exhibition Centr...
Read more

Harriotte Lane appointed Miss Grand United Kingdom 2025

Image
Former Miss International UK winner Harriotte Lane has been officially announced as Miss Grand United Kingdom 2025. The 24-year-old model and entrepreneur from Newcastle will represent the United Kingdom at Miss Grand International 2025 in Thailand this October. She succeeds last year's titleholder Amy Viranya Berry who made the Top 10 at Miss Grand International 2024 in Bangkok. The new Miss Grand United Kingdom is no stranger to pageantry. She placed fourth runner-up at Miss International 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. "Miss Grand United kingdom isn't just about representing my country, but using this voice to encourage others to challenge the barriers that society can put on us," Harriotte recently shared online. She continued: "As I was once told, I was too young to be a successful entrepreneur. Now, 5 and half years later with a business that has been awarded and recognised for making a difference in people's lives." "A platform and responsibility of t...
Read more

72nd Miss World contestants visit world’s largest film studio complex

Image
The 72nd Miss World contestants had the amazing opportunity to experience the cinematic magic of Ramoji Film City, one of the most iconic theme parks in India. Spanning over 2,000 acres, the famous location is considered as the world’s largest film studio complex as recognized by the Guinness World Records. Over 100 stunning beauties vying to become the next Miss World were welcomed with a red carpet reception, featuring traditional Indian rituals such as aarti, tikka, and live music. They explored the film city's most legendary sets often seen in blockbuster movies, including the VIP Gate, Sitara and Tara Hotels, Angel Fountain, Hawa Mahal, Narthaki Garden, and the picturesque Palm Street. One of the major highlights of the tour was the visit to the Bahubali film set, where they witnessed grand designs and massive scale of one of India's greatest cinematic achievements. They also had a lavish dinner at the stunning Mughal Gardens and were mesmerized by breathtaking fireworks, ...
Read more

Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025 is Lyshanda Moyas

Image
Lyshanda Moyas, representing the city of Gweru, was proclaimed Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025 on Saturday, May 17 at the Harare Hippodrome. The 26-year-old nurse and a finance and marketing consultant beat eight other finalists to win the national competition. Onesimo Nkomo of Nkayi and Rumbidzai Muzopa of Honde Valley were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Last year's winner Sakhile Dube crowned her successor at the end of the glittering event. She made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico. The new Miss Universe Zimbabwe will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lyshanda Moyas (@lyshanda_moyas_) Photos: Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Lyshanda Moyas / Instagram
Read more

Miss Universe Japan 2024 is Kaya Chakrabortty

Image
Kaya Chakrabortty bested over 30 other contestants to win Miss Universe Japan 2024 during the national competition held on Thursday, July 25 in Tokyo. The 22-year-old Japanese-Bangladeshi from Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture will represent Japan at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Rio Miyazaki. Naomi Kamidate, Yukie Yamaguchi, Honoka Shimamori, and Chika Mizuno were the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 11 were Erina Hanawa, Misaki Komori, Nanami Hagiwara, Mami Miyamaru, Hana Yanagi, and Mai Amano. The new Miss Universe Japan is a figure skating champion and a certified paramedic. She graduated from Michigan State University with a double major in human biology and neuroscience. Her mother is Japanese and her father is of Bangladeshi and Indian descent. "I strive to create a world where a single piece of education can be the decisive factor between life and death, and regardless of background, one’s ability to save a life remains with...
Read more

Miss Exclusive 2025 is Jera Redant from Geraardsbergen

Image
Jera Redant bested nine other contestants to be crowned Miss Exclusive 2025 (Miss Earth Belgium 2025) on Saturday, May 17 in Middelkerke. The 18-year-old student from Geraardsbergen was announced to represent Belgium at Miss Earth 2025, whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Elizabeth Victoria Raska who was proclaimed Miss Exclusive Air 2025 (Miss International Belgium 2025) will go to Miss International 2025 in Japan this November. Heading to the Miss Cosmo 2025 pageant in Vietnam later this year is Morgana Billiet who received the title of Miss Exclusive Fire 2025 (Miss Cosmo Belgium 2025). Anouck Brike rounded out the Top 4 finalists and was named Miss Exclusive Water 2025 (Miss Elite Belgium 2025). She is expected to participate in the next Miss Elite competition. This year's Miss Exclusive final was attended by international queens from Australia, Jessica Lane (Miss Earth 2024), and from Iceland, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir (Miss Earth Air 2024). The Miss Globe 2024 Dian...
Read more

Miss Universe Guatemala 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss Universe Guatemala 2025 recently kicked off in Guatemala City with the official presentation of the 24 contestants vying for the crown. The national final will be held this July in Quetzaltenango where the reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark is expected to visit as a special guest. Last year's winner Ana Gabriela Villanueva will be crowning her successor who will represent Guatemala at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Anna Gabriela has participated in Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico and triumphed as one of the gold winners for the pageant's "Voice for Change" competition. Who will become the next Miss Universe Guatemala? Here are the contestants: La Antigua Guatemala - Andrea Daniela Morales López Baja Verapaz - Sara Veralucia Guerrero Chavarría Chimaltenango - Zoila Gabriela Rodríguez Bustamante Chiquimula - Marcela Alejandra Segura Velazco Ciudad Capital - Raschel Alexandra Paz Archila Guatemala Ce...
Read more

72nd Miss World officially opens, contestants dazzle in their traditional costumes

Image
Miss World 2025, the 72nd Miss World, has officially commenced with the spectacular opening ceremony held on Saturday, May 10 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, India. More than 100 stunning contestants from around the world proudly showcased the rich heritage of their countries in their traditional costumes. The Miss World organization shared, "Each vibrant outfit told a unique story, reflecting cultural pride and timeless traditions." "From intricate embroidery to bold colors and symbolic designs, the evening was a true celebration of unity in diversity—proving that beauty transcends borders." Last night's event also displayed the rich cultural heritage of the southern Indian state of Telangana with captivating performances of traditional folk and tribal dances like Perini, Kommu Koya, Lambada, and Oggu Dolu. One of the highlights of the show was the contestants singing the Miss World theme song "Light the Passion and Share the Dream" whi...
Read more

Miss Universe Curacao 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
The five stunning contestants vying for the title of Miss Universe Curacao 2025 have been officially revealed. Their bio and official photos have been posted on the pageant's social media page. One of them will succeed last year's winner Kimberly de Boer and will represent the Dutch Caribbean island at the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Thailand this November. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark has been announced to visit the island this June to crown the next Miss Universe Curacao. Who will head to the 74th Miss Universe? Meet the contestants: Sashelle Antasia Johnson  — a 19-year-old law student whose strength and determination defy her young age. Born in Jamaica and raised in Curacao, Sashelle turned early experiences of loss, bullying, and anxiety into a powerful journey of perseverance and advocacy. With her passion for justice and her dream to inspire others, she is ready to stand tall on the Miss Universe Curacao stage and show the world that ...
Read more