Francisca James

Francisca Luhong James (born October 14, 1995)[2] also known as Francisca Luhong, is an Indigenous Malaysian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020.[3] She will represent Malaysia at the Miss Universe 2020.[4]

Francisca James
Born
Francisca Luhong James

(1995-10-14) October 14, 1995
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
EducationBach. of Mass Comm. (Hons) Public Relations
Alma mater
Occupation
Years active2015–present
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
TitleMiss Universe Malaysia 2020
Beauty pageant titleholder
Hair colourDark Brown
Eye colourBlack
Major
competition(s)		Miss World Malaysia 2016
(4th Runner-up)
Miss World Malaysia 2018
(Top 5)
Miss Universe Malaysia 2020
(Winner)
Miss Universe 2020
(TBA)

Early life and career

James was born in Kuching, Sarawak, is a mixed of Kayan, Kenyah and Iban with her native roots of Dayak. She is the eldest of 3 siblings and the only daughter of James Mering Bungan and Pauline Japok.[5] She holds a First Class Honours degree in Mass Communication majoring in Public Relations.[6]

Beauty pageants

Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2015

At 19, Francisca 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, Francisca was one of the finalists in the Miss World Malaysia 2016 pageant. She also won 3 of the 12 subsidiaries awards which were Miss Talent, Miss Natural Beauty, and Miss Elegant. At the end of the pageant, she ended up as Top 5.[8]

Miss World Malaysia 2018

Two years later, Francisca tried her luck for the second time in the same pageant. She won 2 of 6 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 5 finalists. The eventual winner, Larissa Ping Liew and the 2nd runner-up, Naomi Sim were fellow Sarawakians.[10]

Miss Universe Malaysia 2020

In 2020, Francisca participated in the Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 pageant and eventually won the pageant.[11] She was the only finalist from Sarawak to compete in the pageant. As the winner, she earned the right to represent Malaysia in the upcoming Miss Universe 2020 pageant. The gala night of the Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 was held on September 5th, 2020 at Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.[12]

Francisca is the eight Miss Universe Malaysia from Sarawak and also the first Dayak woman to win the prestigious title. The last time a Sarawakian won the title was when Adelaine Chin Ai Nee bagged the crown in 2007.[13]

References
  1. "[FOTO] Bukan Satu, Dua Tapi LAPAN Persalinan Miss Malaysia Dalam Satu Hari" (in Malay). Remaja. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  2. "Francisca berhasrat gayakan busana etnik Dayak" (in Malay). Utusan Sarawak. 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. "PressReader.com - Your favorite newspapers and magazines". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  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. 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.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Shweta Sekhon		 Miss Universe Malaysia
2020		 Succeeded by
TBA
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