Many people of Chinese background have made their home overseas across different countries and territories around the world. Let’s get to know some of the overseas Chinese beauties who have represented their nations in Miss Universe. These overseas Chinese beauties have assimilated to the local culture and society of their countries while also acknowledging and having strong ties with their Chinese heritage.
Geraldine Hoo won the title of Miss Hawaii Universe 1958. Nicknamed "Geri", she was working as a professional dancer when she won the title. Geri soon represented the territory of Hawaii in the Miss Universe 1958 pageant held in Long Beach, California. The statuesque Chinese Hawaiian beauty became a favorite during the pageant and eventually finished as 3rd runner-up. Years later, she played a minor role in the 1962 American film, Confessions of an Opium Eater.
Josephine Wong won the title of Miss Malaysia Universe 1970. A Malaysian Chinese beauty from Perak, she worked in the car sales industry before winning the national title. Before the actual Miss Universe pageant, the national titleholders were invited to attend the Expo '70 world fair held in Osaka, Japan. During the event, the beauty delegates competed in a pageant called Queen of Expo '70 and Josephine emerged as the contest's winner. Josephine soon represented Malaysia in the Miss Universe 1970 pageant held in Miami, Florida. For her national costume, she wore the sarong kebaya, a traditional attire among local Malaysian women. She became a favorite during the pageant, being among the Top 10 Best in Swimsuit and eventually finishing among the Top 15 semi-finalists.
Andrea Eng (伍慧芬) was the 1st runner-up of the Miss Canada 1978 pageant. Born and raised in Vancouver, she comes from a Chinese Canadian family and is fluent in both English and Cantonese. She was soon appointed to represent Canada in the Miss Universe 1978 pageant when the national titleholder decided to get married and was thus, ineligible to compete. During the pageant held in Acapulco, Mexico, there was a local press report erroneously describing Andrea as an Eskimo (Inuit).
Kim Yee from Edmonton, Alberta, won the title of Miss Canadian Universe 2000 (she was the 1st runner-up during the Canadian Search for Miss Universe 1999 pageant). Coming from a multiracial background, her father is Chinese while her mother is Ukrainian. At the time when she won the national title, she was pursuing a law degree and was trained in ballet and jazz dance. She soon represented Canada in the Miss Universe 2000 pageant held in Nicosia, Cyprus. With her stunning, Eurasian features and voluptuous figure, she became a crowd favorite and finished among the Top 5 finalists.
Zeralda Candice Wai-Yen Lee finished as the 3rd runner-up of the Miss Aruba 2001 pageant. However, she was appointed to represent Aruba in the Miss World 2001 pageant held in Sun City, South Africa, after the original delegate declined to compete in the said international pageant. Joining as “Zizi Lee”, she is from Oranjestad and comes from a multicultural family; her father is Chinese while her mother is Aruban. She’s also multilingual, being fluent in English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamento. With her exotic looks and charismatic personality, she became a favorite during the pageant and finished as 1st runner-up. After the pageant, Zizi became active in the Aruban entertainment industry as a TV host. Years later, Zizi was then appointed by the Miss Aruba organization to represent Aruba once again, this time in the Miss Universe 2004 pageant held in Quito, Ecuador, after the national winner was unable to compete due to citizenship issues. For her national costume, she wore an attire inspired by the carnival celebration of Aruba.
Shirly Karvinen won the title of Miss Suomi 2016 (Miss Finland). Born to a Finnish father and a Chinese mother, she is fluent in Finnish and English and also speaks basic Mandarin. Before winning the national title, she was based in Helsinki pursuing a master’s degree in multilingual management and has interned at the Finnish Embassy in Washington, DC. She soon represented Finland in the Miss Universe 2016 pageant held in Manila, Philippines. For her national costume, Shirly wore a Christmas-inspired costume based on the Finnish origins of Santa Claus (Joulupukki in Finland).
Francesca Hung won the title of Miss Universe Australia 2018. Born and raised in Sydney, she comes from a mixed-race background; her father is Chinese while her mother is of Irish descent. At the time of winning the title, she was working as a professional model while pursuing a master’s degree in publishing. She soon represented Australia in the Miss Universe 2018 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand. As her national costume, Francesca wore an attire inspired by the landscapes of Australia and also represented the golden wattle, Australia’s national flower. A favorite during the pageant, she was among the Top 20 semi-finalists.
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