A Historic Win for Sarawak
KUCHING (May 23) – Andreana Celly, a 20-year-old from Lundu, Sarawak, has made history by becoming the first Sarawakian to be crowned Miss Supranational Malaysia. The prestigious title was awarded to her during a grand coronation night held at the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur last night.
Triumph Against the Odds
Andreana bested five other finalists in a dazzling display of grace and poise. The outgoing Miss Supranational Malaysia 2023, Deidre Walker, crowned Andreana with the 2024 title. The crown, a masterpiece crafted by Ceres Jewels, is valued at an astounding US$1.5 million (RM7.035 million). Alongside this, Andreana received a gift from Ceres Jewels worth RM25,000.
Overcoming Challenges
Reflecting on her unexpected victory, Andreana shared, “I did not expect to win due to my short preparation time. I had just returned from a modelling competition in Vietnam the day before and had less than three hours to do fittings for my final gowns and traditional costumes before the competition started,” she told The Borneo Post.
Her manager, Nickson Sim, played a pivotal role in her journey. “Nickson encouraged me to take part in Miss Supranational Malaysia 2024, believing I had nothing to lose and could gain valuable experience,” she said.
Representing Malaysia on the Global Stage
As the newly crowned Miss Supranational Malaysia, Andreana will represent Malaysia at the 15th edition of Miss Supranational, scheduled to be held in Nowy Sącz, Poland, on July 6. She is enthusiastic about promoting Sarawakian culture, particularly the rich traditions of the Bidayuh community, on an international platform.
“I am excited to start this journey with less than three weeks to prepare and can’t wait to celebrate my win with my family back home for Gawai Dayak Festival,” she said. Despite being the youngest contestant, Andreana is eager to embrace her new role. “I still find it hard to believe I won the title. I am grateful for the opportunity given by the national director, Dr. Sean Wong, CEO of Hyperlive TV, and look forward to working with the organisation as a titleholder.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Standing at 170 centimetres tall, Andreana is the third of four siblings and is awaiting admission to local universities after completing her Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia. With a passion for beauty pageants since the age of 16, she holds several titles at both state and national levels.
Looking forward, Andreana plans to pursue a career in modelling and is considering a move to Kuala Lumpur for more opportunities. “Winning the title of Miss Supranational Malaysia 2024 provides an excellent platform for me to establish myself in the industry,” she added.
In addition to the main title, Andreana also won subsidiary titles – People’s Choice Award and Top Model Award, further cementing her status as a rising star in the pageant world.
Miss Supranational Malaysia has been a significant event since its inception in 2009, and Andreana’s win marks a new chapter in its history.