Francisca Luhong James

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Francisca Luhong James
Born
Francisca Luhong James

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

Francisca Luhong James (born 14 October 1995) is a Malaysian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020. [2] She represented her country at Miss Universe 2020, and did not reach the top 21, marking the 50 years of unplacement for Malaysia at Miss Universe since Josephine Lena Wong at Miss Universe 1970.

Contents

Early life and career

James was born 14 October 1995 [3] in Kuching, Sarawak. She is of mixed heritage from Kayan, Kenyah, Iban, and Dayak people. She is the eldest of three siblings and the only daughter of James Mering Bungan and Pauline Japok. [4] She has a degree in mass communication majoring in public relations. [5]

Pageantry

Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2015

At 19, James participated in Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2015, an annual ethnic beauty pageant held during the Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival. She was the second runner-up of the competition. [6]

Miss World Malaysia 2016

In 2016, James reached the top five at Miss World Malaysia 2016. She also won Miss Talent, Miss Natural Beauty, and Miss Elegant awards. [7]

Miss World Malaysia 2018

In 2018, James reached the top five at Miss World Malaysia 2018. She also won the People's Choice and Top Model awards. [8] [9]

Miss Universe Malaysia 2020

In 2020, James won Miss Universe Malaysia 2020, [10] earning her the right to represent Malaysia at Miss Universe 2020. The final of Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 was held on 5 September 2020 at Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. [11] James was the eighth Miss Universe Malaysia from Sarawak and also the first Dayak woman. [12]

Miss Universe 2020

James represented Malaysia at Miss Universe 2020, held in Hollywood, Florida, US on 16 May 2021. [13] She did not reach the top 21, marking the 50 years of unplacement for Malaysia at Miss Universe since Josephine Lena Wong at Miss Universe 1970. [14] [15]

Controversy

During her reign, James was accused of having previously been a nude model on adult websites, [16] [17] which she denied. This resulted in her being forced to stepdown as the titleholder of Miss Universe Malaysia. [16] [17]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenyah people</span> Indigenous people of Borneo

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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 Luhong to represent Malaysia at Miss Universe 2020 - BeautyPageants". Femina Miss India. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  3. ↑ "Francisca berhasrat gayakan busana etnik Dayak" (in Malay). Utusan Sarawak. 24 September 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Francisca buat persediaan rapi ke pentas akhir Ratu Dunia Malaysia" . Retrieved 2020-08-22– via PressReader.
  5. ↑ "Titleholders". Miss Universe Malaysia Organization. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  6. ↑ Tan, Georgette (2015-05-04). "Jean Seymour is Miss Cultural Harvest Festival". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  7. ↑ "Francisca Luhong has inspired many young women with her drive and perseverance". The Sun Daily. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Larrisa Ping crowned Miss World Malaysia 2018". Borneo Post Online. 2018-09-09. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  9. ↑ "Up close and personal with local beauties". Borneo Post Online. 2018-09-01. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ Landau, Esther (2020-07-13). "Miss Universe show to be live-streamed | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  12. ↑ "Francisca Luhong, jelitawan Sarawak dinobat Miss Universe Malaysia 2020". www.astroawani.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "Francisca Luhong's crowning dream". BorneoTalk. 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2020-08-22.
  15. ↑ "Malaysia's Francisca Luhong ends Miss Universe journey". The Borneo Post. 17 May 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  16. 1 2 "Francisca Luhong James Reacts To Being Called A "Nude Model" On Google". hype.my. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Is Miss Universe Malaysia a 'Nude Model'? Google Says So". hypegame.com. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Mellinda Lee Penang
 Miss World Malaysia
(4th Runner-Up)
2016 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by
Shweta Sekhon Kuala Lumpur
 Miss Universe Malaysia
2020 		Succeeded by
Cheam Wei Yeng Selangor


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