Miss Universe Malaysia 2025 Announces Their Top 16 Candidates
The application period began on 4th May 2025 and drew hundreds of entries from across the nation. This edition saw a notable increase in both diversity and quality, a reflection of the inclusive eligibility guidelines introduced the previous year, which opened participation to women of all backgrounds — including those who are married, divorced, mothers, and of any age.
This year's Top 16 finalists embody the changing identity of Malaysian womanhood — a dynamic blend of beauty, grace, heritage, and drive, all sharing a common goal of representing Malaysia internationally. Private and virtual auditions were conducted in June with a distinguished panel of judges comprising Datin Seri Livonia Ricky Guing, MUMO Chairperson; Charissa Chong, MUMO National Director; James Tan, Founder and Director of Evenstar Management; and Rubini Sambanthan, actress, model, and former Miss International Malaysia.
Here are your Top 16 finalists:
Bhadrani Nagendran, 27 years old
Chloe Chin, 24 years old
Chloe Lim, 27 years old
Elaine Cheah, 26 years old
Elina Cheah, 24 years old
Jen Li, 28 years old
Joey Leng, 25 years old
Kavita Sanglish, 26 years old
Keerthanaah Parthipan, 25 years old
Malveen Kaur, 31 years old
Priscilla Yap, 25 years old
Priyaa Simmi, 30 years old
Priyanka Sockanathan, 24 years old
Ranmeet Jassal, 33 years old
Tan Su Jie, 25 years old
Valenice Tiong, 36 years old
Contestants were evaluated on intellect, cultural intelligence, communication ability, poise, and self-assurance, leading to 26 being shortlisted for the Top 16 voting round. The final 16 were chosen via a 50:50 voting system, with half the decision from the judging panel and the other half from public votes, ensuring an equitable and representative result. The judges looked beyond physical beauty, identifying those with the potential to evolve into impactful global figures under MUMO's mentorship.
This year's Top 16 showcases an impressive spectrum of talent, including experienced pageant contestants and newcomers with exceptional promise. Highlights include a Tsinghua University postgraduate who addressed the United Nations, a medical doctor with international humanitarian experience, and a former Mrs Malaysia World promoting women's financial empowerment.
Also among the finalists are a TEDx speaker who founded a non-profit supporting refugee children's mental health and education, a model and dive trip coordinator, and a business strategist excelling in fields like investment and shooting sports.
Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
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