Wednesday February 7, 2007
Malaysian models defend the mixed look
They are among the country's most sought-after models and show hosts because of their “international” looks. However, this group of Malaysians with Pan-Asian features may soon find themselves phased out of the small screen if an Information Ministry guideline is enforced.
Some are outraged, others feel they should not be segregated or penalised for their looks.
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Elaine: ‘I’m a true blue Malaysian with Eurasian blood’ |
Former beauty queen, model-actress-emcee and law graduate Elaine Daly, 28, whose father is Eurasian and mother Chinese:
“I'm a true blue Malaysian with Eurasian blood. I shouldn't be discriminated against just because of my Pan-Asian looks.
“I thought we are living in a multi-racial country with inter-racial marriages. Just because the children have Pan-Asian looks, should we be set apart from other Malaysians? That's really unfair.”
TV host and actor Ashraf Sinclair, 28, who has appeared in commercials on TV. Ashraf co-hosts Astro's Beat TV:
“My mother decided to go global and marry my father who is English. Being of mixed parentage doesn’t put me in a better or worse spot.
“There is nothing wrong in having models of mixed parentage.
“Perhaps, such models are favoured because they have an international look.
“The (Information) Minister should not segregate us.”
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Maya: ‘What’s a “mixed” face and where do we draw the line?’ |
Model/actress Stephanie Chai, 23, a Malaysian of Chinese-Italian parentage who is filming an upcoming series for 8TV:
“Competition is always healthy and, anyway, trends in advertising change all the time – sometimes it’s the Pan-Asian look that is popular and at other times it may be the Chinese look, the Indian look, the Malay look, or whatever.
“I grew up in Malaysia and I just don’t think we should turn around and start classifying people.”
Award-winning actress and model Maya Karin, of German-Malaysian parentage. Maya is in the midst of recording a tele-movie on Malaysia's independence:
“Malaysians have all sorts of looks.
“Look at actress Fasha Sandha, even though she is pure Malaysian, she looks more mixed than I do!
“What's a ‘mixed’ face and where do we draw the line?
“I have lived here in Asia all my life and consider myself truly Malaysian.”
Related Stories:
Ad agency explains why Pan-Asians are preferred models
Move seen as giving others a chance
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