Beauty queen: Miss Malaysia Universe 2009 Joannabelle Ng
Three years ago, Joannabelle Ng, 22, had to stretch the RM500 her parents gave when she left her hometown. It got her by for almost two months before she finally got a job as a make-up artist and model. She put aside RM300 for rent, RM100 for transport and another RM100 for food. As fate would have it, Ng was crowned Miss Malaysia Universe in 2009. She currently lives in a 1,300sq ft condominium, travels the world and eats pretty much whatever she wants. Not bad at all for someone who came to Kuala Lumpur with RM500.
“I’m glad for all the good things that have come my way. But I am mostly proud to have a place to call home in Kuala Lumpur,” says Ng.
Her life changed drastically when she was crowned Miss Malaysia Universe on May 30, 2009. Competing against 17 beautiful and poised contestants, Ng admits that she felt a little intimidated. That is understandable for Ng, because she was only 21 years old when she suffered a serious fire burn in an accident that left emotional and visible scars on her face and neck.
With all the hardship that she went through, Ng seems to echo a worldly understanding about life. And yet there’s a small town rawness that she maintains.The Sabahan beauty sits down with StarProperty.my at her beautiful home to talk about her humble beginnings, her modern Oriental Kuala Lumpur adobe, and her fashion business.
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| Simple and sophisticated: The orange sofa is the focal point of the living room. It also reflects the modern spirit of the homeowner. |
What motivated you to move to Kuala Lumpur?
I moved to Kuala Lumpur to try my luck at modelling. Coming from a small town in Sabah, I have always wanted to make it big in the big city. My main motivation is to support my family financially, as my father is getting old and my siblings are still in school.
I moved to Kuala Lumpur to try my luck at modelling. Coming from a small town in Sabah, I have always wanted to make it big in the big city. My main motivation is to support my family financially, as my father is getting old and my siblings are still in school.
How did you get into the pageantry world?
I worked as a model and make-up artist when I first came to Kuala Lumpur. I stopped modeling for a while following an accident whereby I suffered second degree fire burns on my face and neck. I worked as a mortgage banker to support myself.
I worked as a model and make-up artist when I first came to Kuala Lumpur. I stopped modeling for a while following an accident whereby I suffered second degree fire burns on my face and neck. I worked as a mortgage banker to support myself.
After a few months at the job, I came across an advertisement seeking Miss Malaysia Universe 2009 contestants. My intention of joining the pageant was really just to see if I still have the confidence I once had. I didn’t expect to win at all.
How has your life changed since winning the Miss Malaysia Universe title?
I don’t want to get too soppy, but I arrived in Kuala Lumpur with only RM500 in my pocket. I rented a small room for RM300 a month. Let’s not talk about home decorations, because I could barely afford a decent mattress by then. But winning the title has really opened up many doors of opportunities for me. I am proud to say that I now have a decent place to call home in Kuala Lumpur. And yes, I can decorate it the way I want it too!
I don’t want to get too soppy, but I arrived in Kuala Lumpur with only RM500 in my pocket. I rented a small room for RM300 a month. Let’s not talk about home decorations, because I could barely afford a decent mattress by then. But winning the title has really opened up many doors of opportunities for me. I am proud to say that I now have a decent place to call home in Kuala Lumpur. And yes, I can decorate it the way I want it too!
How does this condominium unit reflect you?
There is an obvious Oriental theme in this unit, which is essentially what I am. As you can see, there is a strong gold, red and black accent in the dining room. The motif of the wallpaper is lotus, while the divider panel is embedded with a beautiful painting of red-crowned cranes, which symbolise longevity and immortality in Chinese culture. A replica of traditional Chinese dining table, complete with four Ming chairs, adorns the dining room.
There is an obvious Oriental theme in this unit, which is essentially what I am. As you can see, there is a strong gold, red and black accent in the dining room. The motif of the wallpaper is lotus, while the divider panel is embedded with a beautiful painting of red-crowned cranes, which symbolise longevity and immortality in Chinese culture. A replica of traditional Chinese dining table, complete with four Ming chairs, adorns the dining room.
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| Modern Oriental: The dining room is dominated by gold, red and black |
Did you personally choose all these items?
Not really. My best friend, who shares this unit with me, is also a keen collector of Oriental decorative items. Together we decide on everything, from the range of colours to the decorations. This unit is still very much a work-in-progress, and we both slowly built this unit together.
Not really. My best friend, who shares this unit with me, is also a keen collector of Oriental decorative items. Together we decide on everything, from the range of colours to the decorations. This unit is still very much a work-in-progress, and we both slowly built this unit together.
Unlike the dining room, the living room seems to be very modern. Is this intentional?
Yes it is. I figured that decorating the entire unit with Oriental-themed items would make my abode feel old-fashioned. Therefore, I decided to keep the living room simple and sophisticated. A big orange sofa is the focal point in living room, emphasising the modern spirit of the homeowner.
Yes it is. I figured that decorating the entire unit with Oriental-themed items would make my abode feel old-fashioned. Therefore, I decided to keep the living room simple and sophisticated. A big orange sofa is the focal point in living room, emphasising the modern spirit of the homeowner.
What would you add to this unit?
My best friend and I would want to make this unit a proper girls’ pad. At the moment, we are looking for the perfect curtain that suits the modern Oriental theme.
My best friend and I would want to make this unit a proper girls’ pad. At the moment, we are looking for the perfect curtain that suits the modern Oriental theme.
Lastly, tell us about your current projects.
I am now busy with Jo-B Care, which consists of a philanthropist team that is dedicated to providing assistance to various charity organisations. Recently we raised up to RM50,000, which was distributed among five charity organisations concerning children, single mother, old folks and rehabilitation for drug users. Other than that, I am also venturing into fashion business, whereby I supply clothes to more than 100 boutiques in Sabah. Life’s good!
http://www.starproperty.my/PropertyGuide/Profile/6223/0/0
I am now busy with Jo-B Care, which consists of a philanthropist team that is dedicated to providing assistance to various charity organisations. Recently we raised up to RM50,000, which was distributed among five charity organisations concerning children, single mother, old folks and rehabilitation for drug users. Other than that, I am also venturing into fashion business, whereby I supply clothes to more than 100 boutiques in Sabah. Life’s good!
http://www.starproperty.my/PropertyGuide/Profile/6223/0/0
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