Francisca Luhong James
Born
Francisca Luhong James

(1995-10-14) 14 October 1995 (age 28)
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Alma materUniversiti Teknologi MARA
OccupationModel
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Beauty pageant titleholder
TitleMiss Universe Malaysia 2020
Years active2015–present
Major
competition(s)

Francisca Luhong James (born 14 October 1995)[2] is a Malaysian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020.[3] She represents her country at Miss Universe 2020, where she ended up did not make it into the top 21 semi-finalist, thus her journey was marked in the 50 years of unplacement for Malaysia in Miss Universe history since Josephine Lena Wong in 1970.[4]

Early life and career

James was born in Kuching, Sarawak, is of mixed heritage from Kayan, Kenyah, Iban, and Dayak people. She is the eldest of 3 siblings and the only daughter of James Mering Bungan and Pauline Japok.[5] She has a degree in mass communication majoring in public relations.[6]

Pageantry

Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2015

At 19, James participated in Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2015, an ethnic beauty pageant held annually during the Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival. She was placed as the second runner-up of the competition.[7]

Miss World Malaysia 2016

In 2016, James was one of the finalists in the Miss World Malaysia 2016 pageant. She also won three of the 12 subsidiaries awards which were Miss Talent, Miss Natural Beauty, and Miss Elegant. At the end of the pageant, she ended up in the top five finalist.[8]

Miss World Malaysia 2018

Two years later, James tried her luck for the second time in Miss World Malaysia pageant, She won two of six subsidiaries awards which were the People's Choice Award and Top Model Award.[9] During Miss World Malaysia 2018, she was one of the top five finalists.[10]

Miss Universe Malaysia 2020

In 2020, James participated in the Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 pageant and won.[11] As the winner, she earned the rights to represent Malaysia in Miss Universe 2020 pageant, the finale competition of the 56th Miss Universe Malaysia was held on 5 September 2020 at Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.[12] James was the eighth Miss Universe Malaysia from Sarawak and also the first Dayak woman.[13]

Miss Universe 2020

James represented Malaysia at Miss Universe 2020 competition which was held in Hollywood, Florida, United States on 16 May 2021.[14] Although she was considered to be the drought-breaker for Malaysia in Miss Universe 2020, she did not make it into the semi-finals. Her journey was marked in the history of Miss Universe Malaysia pageant for 50 years of unplacement in Miss Universe pageant history.[15]

Scandals

During her reign as Miss Universe Malaysia 2020, James was accused of having a past history of being a nude model on adult websites,[16][17] which she denied. She was however forced to relinquish her crown as Miss Universe Malaysia.[16][17]

References

  1. ^ "[FOTO] Bukan Satu, Dua Tapi LAPAN Persalinan Miss Malaysia Dalam Satu Hari" (in Malay). Remaja. 11 September 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  2. ^ "Francisca berhasrat gayakan busana etnik Dayak" (in Malay). Utusan Sarawak. 24 September 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "Francisca Luhong to represent Malaysia at Miss Universe 2020 - BeautyPageants". Femina Miss India. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  4. ^ "Francisca Luhong's crowning dream". BorneoTalk. 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  5. ^ https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/utusan-borneo-sabah/20160815/282574492474563. Retrieved 2020-08-22 – via PressReader. ((cite web)): Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ "Titleholders". Miss Universe Malaysia Organization. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  7. ^ Tan, Georgette (2015-05-04). "Jean Seymour is Miss Cultural Harvest Festival". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  8. ^ "Francisca Luhong has inspired many young women with her drive and perseverance". The Sun Daily. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  9. ^ "Larrisa Ping crowned Miss World Malaysia 2018". Borneo Post Online. 2018-09-09. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  10. ^ "Up close and personal with local beauties". Borneo Post Online. 2018-09-01. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  11. ^ "Sarawakian lass crowned Miss Malaysia Universe 2020 | Daily Express Online - Sabah's Leading News Portal". www.dailyexpress.com.my. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  12. ^ Landau, Esther (2020-07-13). "Miss Universe show to be live-streamed | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  13. ^ "Francisca Luhong, jelitawan Sarawak dinobat Miss Universe Malaysia 2020". www.astroawani.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  14. ^ "Perjalanan Francisca Luhong ke Miss Universe Berakhir" [Francisca Luhong's Journey to Miss Universe Ends] (in Malay). Utusan Borneo at PressReader. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  15. ^ "Malaysia's Francisca Luhong ends Miss Universe journey". The Borneo Post. 17 May 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Francisca Luhong James Reacts To Being Called A "Nude Model" On Google". hype.my. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "Is Miss Universe Malaysia a 'Nude Model'? Google Says So". hypegame.com. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
Awards and achievements Preceded byMellinda Lee Penang Miss World Malaysia(4th Runner-Up) 2016 Succeeded byNone Preceded byShweta Sekhon Kuala Lumpur Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 Succeeded byCheam Wei Yeng Selangor
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