Here's Our Top 15 Finalists for Miss Universe Singapore 2018!

By elaine.kiew on 12 Aug 2018

Miss Universe Singapore is back and yes, they just unveiled the top 15 finalists! Who do you think will bring home the crown?

Photo from Miss Universe Singapore

With 'The Beauty of Empowerment' as the theme this year, the pageant is said to celebrate women of substance who display examples of excellence and are willing to stand up for what they believe in.

Eugene Wee, editor of The New Paper (co-organiser of the beauty pageant), said:

“The pageant aims to give our finalists a platform to champion causes that are close to their hearts, whether it be volunteerism, help for those with mental health issues, or equal rights for women.”

Photo from TNP

But after all, this is a BEAUTY PAGEANT that we're talking about and the winner would definitely go on to represent Singapore on the international stage so looks definitely plays a big factor. So aside from their sob stories, we still want to know if they have what it takes to be crowned Miss Singapore.

Let's take a look at the contestants!

#1 Ischelle Khoo, 22

During the big reveal, the 22-year-old shared that she's lost 3 family members consecutively and is now battling her mum's cancer relapse. During this period, she slipped into depression and contracted anxiety during resulting in her dropping out of medical school.

Now that she's walked out of it, Ischelle would like to become a source of inspiration for girls, women and those who have gone through the toughest times.

#2 Tyen Rasif, 22

The SMU undergraduate is of Dutch, Javanese and Chinese ethnicity and once struggled depression as well as her body image. She's now a fitness trainer and bodybuilder who works out four to five days a week, and deadlifts up to 120kg and squats up to 80kg. Wow!

#3 Jaslyn Tan, 26

The 26-year-old realtor faced many challenges while growing up and was diagnosed with myocarditis (an inflammation of the heart muscle) and hypothyroidism when she was 20.

With her optimism and positivity, she has since overcome both ailments and believes in lending a hand to the unfortunate.

#4 Zahra Khanum, 23

This design researcher is of Pakistani, Kashmiri and Chinese descent and was raised single-handedly by her mother. She believes in giving back and have travelled to Pakistan to work in a children’s hospital and helped raise funds for kids with disabilities.

#5 Ameera Smith, 23

The freelance model and chef of African-American and Arab descent hopes to champion LGBT rights and the freedom to love. She considers her family as her main pillar of support as they've always supported her in chasing her passion.

#6 Chloe Padirac, 26

This French-Chinese contestant is a reiki practitioner who cultivates and advocates for a natural lifestyle that involves no meat and minimal use of plastics.

She also believes that women should come together and empower one another through sharing and healing and learn from their life experiences.

#7 Renee Kee, 25

If you find her familiar, this 25-year-old contestant may have served you on one of your flights when she was a cabin crew!

When she was young, Renee was bullied over a birthmark over her right eyebrow which she now accepts it wholeheartedly. She sees it as her 'beauty mark' now and wants to prove that we can all find beauty in imperfection.

#8 Soh Qiao Ying, 23

The business development manager was a finalist in the New Paper New Face last year and she's back for more!

This time, she hopes to advocate against any form of sexual violence and harassment against women and children.

#9 Nicol Hunt, 25

The 25-year-old freelance photographer is of Chinese, Malay, French and Irish descent.

Though she has three prominent tattoos on her right rib, right arm and upper back, she's not afraid of flaunting it. Nicol feels that the inkings are a form of self-expression and body art and would want to be a walking example of diversity and spread the beauty of tattoos.

#10 Hilary Rupawalla, 26

This contestant right here is a lawyer who's been championing the empowerment of women and children!

Besides her day job, she also volunteers at the legal clinic at the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations and is also a mentor under a Young Women’s Leadership Connection programme that aims to empower young girls.

#11 Tiong Jia En, 23

This contestant is an university student by day and business entrepreneur by night who launched her swimwear store Sorakini in 2017.

She hopes to spread the message that beauty pageants today are not just about pretty faces, but about women who empower others.

#12 Mohanaprabha, 23

This contestant loves giving back to society and has gone on various trips around the world to help those who are less fortunate as well as save abandoned animals.

Through this pageant, she hopes that the competition will bring her one step closer towards being a humanitarian or environmentalist. We support! The world definitely need more of Mohana.

#13 Sushil Como, 25

This contestant is a financial consultant who was once mocked by her peers for her 'exotic' looks. She struggled to fit in and eventually developed anorexia, an eating disorder.

She is now an advocate mental health disorders and is determined to fight the social stigma that surrounds it.

#14 Loo May Tia, 19

Besides being the youngest contestant, Mei Tia is also a former national rhythmic gymnast as well as the daughter of the first runner-up in Miss Universe Singapore 1994.

During the Miss Universe Singapore 2018's first press conference, she shared that she's worn the national flag before and would love to do it once again on the international stage.

#15 Sharin Keong, 26

Those who've followed The New Paper New Face in 2012 would recognise her as the winner! In 2014, she also went on the TV modelling competition SupermodelMe.

Following that, she picked up the Thai language to volunteer to teach English to children in Thailand after noticing them selling items on streets to make money.

Soooo.. there we have it! Our top 15.

Are you already have someone you would want to root for? We wanna know, so tell us about it in the comments section!