Crispina Robert, host:
Angela, maybe you want to weigh in on this concept of beauty and especially beauty pageants. In a way, it’s still being judged according to a format. You still have the bikini segment and (you are) judged by a panel, watched by millions. Some people would say, is this a bit irrelevant in the current age? What do you say to detractors?
Angela Tay, ERM Singapore managing director:
To me, wearing a bikini or even swimwear is about confidence. You have to have the confidence to be able to put on that two-piece (suit) and walk on the stage to flaunt what you have. It’s not about anything bad, but it’s … how you want to inspire people to love yourself more and be confident with what you have.
Crispina:
But some people would say that young women might say, “Why do I have to have a bikini to show that I’m confident, right?”
Steven Chia, host:
Yeah. They may say it’s a rather superficial kind of competition.
Angela:
If you do not have a swimwear segment in a beauty pageant, then it’s not a beauty pageant anymore.
Steven:
So, you’re saying that visual element is necessary. Why?
Angela:
At the end of the day, we still want to look at the beautiful part of a woman, not just having brains, but as an overall thing.
Crispina:
So, beauty is still in terms of physical beauty.
Angela:
Yes, it’s a package to be a beauty queen …
Steven:
For a beauty pageant, I guess so, because the name says beauty pageant, right? But some may argue that in this day and age, putting women on a pedestal and the objectification of women seems a bit wrong. How would you respond to that?
Veronica Lee, Mrs Singapore World 2024:
I completely hear you. Prior to joining a pageant, I must admit, I (did) have my reservations, and like many people, preconceptions about what a beauty pageant is.
