The Miss Cultural International 2025 finale dazzled Kota Kinabalu with cultural pride and elegance, spotlighting Sarawak’s rising star, Chanel Eve Lee, as she claimed the coveted international crown.
Miss Cultural International 2025: Chanel Eve Lee shines on global stage
THE Miss Cultural International 2025 Grand Finale lit up the Sabah International Convention Centre with a celebration of heritage, womanhood, and global unity.
The grand event, held on November 8, saw Miss Cultural Sarawak crowned at the finale. Chinese-Bidayuh lass Chanel Eve Lee captivated the world with her intelligence, grace, and unwavering pride in her roots.
Celebrating the success, the 19-year-old’s triumph showcased the colour of heritage, with participants from numerous countries and other Malaysian states.
Its founder, Kimora Entertainment Network Sdn Bhd, expressed the celebration as a prestigious global event aimed at celebrating cultural diversity, heritage, and the elegance of modern women who embody purpose, compassion, and cultural pride.
Crowned Miss Cultural International 2025, Lee, who hails from Kuching, Sarawak, represented Malaysia with her charisma, intelligence, and deep appreciation for cultural harmony.
In September, Lee achieved remarkable successes by being crowned both Miss Cultural International Sarawak 2025 and Miss Cultural International Malaysia 2025, earning the right to represent Malaysia on the international stage.
In addition to the coveted international title, Lee also earned two special awards – Miss Congeniality and Miss Cultural Confluence – recognising her warmth, camaraderie, and ability to bridge cultures with grace and authenticity.
Sharing more about herself in an interview with Sarawak Tribune, Lee opened up about the journey behind the crown – her roots, her purpose, and the values that carried her from a local stage to an international spotlight.
Growing up in a culturally diverse environment with two different heritages has deeply influenced Lee, as it taught her the beauty of embracing her roots while being open to learning from others.
Currently undertaking her degree in International Business, Lee said her pageant journey has been both humbling and transformative.
“With every title that I have won, each step along the way has been a learning experience that strengthened my confidence, cultural awareness, and sense of purpose. My recent win on the Miss Cultural International 2025 stage, where I competed with six other incredible countries, deeply honoured me to be crowned as the overall winner,” Lee expressed.
To her, it is not just a recognition, but also a celebration of friendship and mutual respect formed across diverse cultures.
“I feel truly grateful and humbled to represent my country and heritage on an international platform,” said the runway model and part-time actress.
With her crowning reign, she advocates for cultural preservation and women’s empowerment. She believes that understanding and celebrating one’s cultural roots helps build identity and pride, especially among the younger generation.
“At the same time, empowering women to embrace their individuality and voice creates ripple effects in society. After the pageant, I plan to continue joining initiatives that promote cultural education, mentorship for young women, and community outreach programmes. My goal is to use my platform to inspire others to take pride in who they are while uplifting those around them,” she shared.
Sharing her journey of preparing for the pageant, Lee revealed that she needed unwavering balance and discipline to keep every part of her life running smoothly – from her studies to her modelling work, right down to the long hours of training.
She further elaborated that balancing every aspect of her life was definitely challenging.
“Physically, I maintained a regular workout routine by doing Pilates, practising poise and runway walks, and ensuring I stayed healthy and well-rested. Mentally, I focused on self-reflection, confidence-building, and staying grounded in my purpose, to represent my culture with pride and sincerity,” added the part-time barista.
Nevertheless, with time management and passion, she kept going. She also made sure to dedicate time to rest and personal growth. Overall, she is thankful to her family, mentors, and friends for their endless support throughout the journey.
She further explained that the most challenging part of the pageant journey was managing her self-doubt and maintaining composure under pressure.
“Competing alongside equally talented and inspiring women from different countries can be intimidating, but I reminded myself that my purpose was not to compare, but to connect. I overcame those moments by focusing on gratitude, practicing mindfulness, and remembering that authenticity is my greatest strength,” she stressed.
Throughout the journey, Lee learned that true beauty shines through humility, kindness and confidence in one’s identity. Pageantry taught her that success is not about perfection; it is about growth and perseverance.
“I also realised the importance of celebrating diversity and unity; even though we come from different backgrounds, we all share the same desire to create positive change,” she added.
Remembering the moments of the competition, Lee reminisced about her most memorable moment – the days leading up to the final competition. It was a time of bonding, laughter, and shared experiences with her fellow contestants. Despite coming from different cultural backgrounds, they found strength in supporting and empowering one another.
Those connections, she said, made her realise that pageantry is not just about competition, but also about sisterhood, respect, and unity through culture.
Now that the pageant competition is over, Lee’s focus will be to carry her advocacy forward and to inspire more young women to believe in their potential.
“I also hope to continue my studies, grow in the entertainment and fashion industries, and use those platforms to further promote cultural appreciation and empowerment. This title is not the end of my journey; it’s the beginning of a greater purpose,” she enthused.
As she ends the interview, Lee reminds everyone to stay true to oneself and remember their “why”. She added that pageantry is more than just beauty; it’s about character, compassion, and a sense of purpose.
“Embrace your uniqueness, never stop learning, and trust that your authenticity will shine through. Most importantly, enjoy the journey, because it’s in the process that you discover your true strength and identity,” said the crown queen of Miss Cultural International 2025.
