Hot on the heels of BBA alumna Vanessa Ho’s 2019 Star Search accolade comes another BBA win on the national stage. Final-year finance and economics student and Raffles Institution alumna Carissa Yap was recently crowned Miss Universe Singapore, and will represent the country in the international competition.
In this exclusive BIZBeat interview, we take a peek into the beauty and brilliance of Carissa Yap and her journey towards winning the coveted Miss Universe Singapore title.
A: As I am nearing graduation, what pushed me to join was having the opportunity to discover my identity—who I really am as a person. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, and saw this as a chance to hone my public speaking skills. One of my goals was also to find purpose in what I do, and I felt that this would be a good platform to champion the causes I believe in. As a female finance major, I hope to see more female board representation within this traditionally male-dominated field.
À: In this journey, I set out to portray my Singapore story and personal values authentically. I think being able to do that during the final Q&A and telling my story with sincerity was a key factor. Remaining authentic yet grounded on what I stood for throughout played a part. Instead of seeing this as a competition, I see it as a celebration of the contestants and who we are as individuals.
A: I strongly believe that beauty is a mindset. Feeling beautiful comes from having a positive self-image and confidence in oneself. I want to show that the celebration of beauty is the celebration of individuality. Our unique traits and how we confidently showcase them make each of us beautiful. I also hope to break the stereotype that beauty and intellect are mutually exclusive and non-binary.
A: One of the biggest challenges I faced was veering close to burnout. There were times when I had impending school datelines along with long hours of photoshoots, which really put great pressure and stress on me. What really helped me was surrounding myself with close friends and family for support and knowing that I tried my best in every situation. Structuring my time into small pockets also gave me a better sense of control and direction.
A: It was indeed difficult because I wanted to give my all to both. Thankfully I had understanding group mates who agreed to project calls at night to accommodate my demanding schedule. My business school professors were also understanding when I had conflicting event schedules with my classes and did not penalise me for occasional absences.
A: I will be heading to The Philippines for training and then to New Orleans for the final event! I plan to pursue a full-time career in finance, but at the same time, be an advocate for causes I am passionate about. I hope to become someone who inspires change and gives back to the community. Having this platform allows me to share my voice and story. I am excited about what the future holds!