A Sunday Morning with Ms. Henry
The 17th of July, 2011 was a memorable day in the history of Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas; Jog for Hope, a completely student-organized community outreach event organized by the Tree Huggers Club of Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas succeeded in attracting 1600 participants, raising a total of RM25,000 for charitable foundations including but not limited to the PT Foundation, and the Malaysian Nature Society. Ms. Henry, previous winner of Ms. Malaysia World 2007, and subsequently Ms. Malaysia Universe 2011, was present at the event as well, having been invited by the Jog for Hope committee to support the cause, by participating in the event. On the initiative of The Beacon, an interview with Ms. Henry was conducted, a transcript of which is attached below.
Victor: Ms. Henry, could you describe the circumstances under which you decided to become a model? Could you shed a little light on your modeling career thus far?
Ms. Henry: Well, I didn’t really decide to become a model to begin with.. But I was 14, I was in Bangsar with my friends one night, and an agent spotted me. “Would you like to be a model?”, she said, and I said “No, not really!”, and… Yes, that was in 2000, and I sort of fell into it. Went to the agency, met them.. Did one show, two shows, and before I knew it, I was, you know, a model! I guess at that time I was 14… It’s kind of nice to do that. It’s a little bit glamorous, and you know, you get to own your money, you get to meet so many interesting people as well, so that was really a pull factor for me. And similarly, joining beauty pageants ever since I was in Malaysia, was something that well, if you had met me in university, was something I was very much against. I didn’t want to be part of a beauty pageant. And I thought about it, and my friends went like “Oh, you should join, you should join!” It was really only after I graduated that I came back to Malaysia, in 2007, when I was approached, and I was like, “Okay!”. Something I’ve learnt is that sometimes, you have to do what you have to do, to do the things that you want to do. If I were able to win the pageant, the title that I would gain would be able to be used to work on things that I was passionate about, and that’s something that I’ve been able to do with it.
Anis: You were Ms. Malaysia World first. What made you decide to participate in Ms. Universe?
Ms. Henry: Well, once again, I had no intention of joining, but a few people spoke to me, and they said, “We’d really like you to join, this year, and hopefully you win, just to elevate the pageant”. It’s a little bit technical, but Ms. Universe Malaysia this year… We actually had two pageants. Mine was in January, so when I come back from Brazil in September, we’re going to crown the new girl in October. So, they needed a girl who was experienced to carry the crown for six months, because it’s very short, and as the new girl comes in, she’s not going to have enough time to prepare, which is why they needed someone who had been through it before.
Anis: So, what have you been doing as Ms. Universe?
Ms. Henry: This time? Continuing, really, the stuff I’d started from before. Nothing really “new”, new. As you know, I run a refugee school; It’s called “Fugee School”, you can Google it, there’s information online. It’s basically a school. We have 100 refugee students from Somalia living here, so back when I started, two and a half years ago, I continued that. And for me, the title is a platform to do many things. I used it to get attention for the school, to raise funds for the school, certain causes, even causes such as Pink Triangle, Malaysian Nature Society, and to speak out on many issues. Something very close to my heart is getting Malaysian youths involved. A big part of me doing social work is to say to people my age, my kids, that this is our generation. Our generation has the knowledge, the resources, and the technology to be able to change so many things in this world, and it is a real travesty if we do not do it. This is the first generation that I think has this. The world’s so connected now; There’s Facebook, and twitter; There’s so much more that we can do, which is why it’s nice to be here today, to see a 100% student-organized event, and everyone is so passionate about doing stuff like this, which I like to support.
Victor: Are there any other causes that you’re passionate about?
Ms. Henry: I work a lot with children, so anything that’s got to do with children’s rights. Education, empowerment of women. I’m also World Vision’s Child’s Rights Advocate, so that’s children once again. Of course, there’s also the rights of people, so I do a lot of stuff in the United Nations as well. Of course, if there is any other cause in which I can help and make a difference, then I will do that too.
Victor: So would you say that social media has played a very large part in marketing your self-image? And well, when did you realize that you had a Wikipedia page?
Ms. Henry: (Laughs) Well, most of the details are wrong! My birthday is not on the 7th of July! I haven’t changed it yet.. (Laughs) I had so many people wishing me on that day, and I went like “No, no, no, no! Wrong!” When did I realize? I think it was created sometime after I won Ms. Malaysia World, so yes, that was when I realized.
Victor: Could you describe your reaction to it?
Ms. Henry: Well, somebody obviously likes you enough to put that together, but social media’s been cool. Especially now, doing this again, doing the pageant, it’s brought so many of the fans and the people who love pageants so much closer, and not just that, but you get a personal relationship, and so much advice from them, as well, so it really does compound it all, and it really… Well, it’s really so much better than not having it, because you learn and get so much advice from so many different people, and you also get to know who your competitors are.. And all the comments that you don’t want to read because they’re so…. You know, negative, and that, so..
Anis: So what do you think about social Media in Malaysia as opposed to in other countries?
Ms. Henry: I think Facebook in Malaysia, as opposed to in other countries, has a very strong following. Facebook is doing really well here, and even now, twitter as well. I love it! If you look at some of the recent happenings, you know that social media was really utilized, and as you can see, around the world, in the middle east, etc, it gives people the opportunity to tell the truth, and to be honest. And I think that’s something that gets lost so often, because different people say different things, and the actual facts get lost. In Facebook, you’ve got videos, you’ve got personal accounts, you’ve got stories, you’ve got status updates. It’s so instant that there’s no way any media machine can cover it any more certainly. So I think the honesty, the sincerity of what that brings, is invaluable.
Anis: So do you have a Facebook and Twitter?
Ms. Henry: Well I do have Twitter and Facebook. I’m not active in Twitter. I don’t have a like “Oh, okay, I’m doing this and…” It’s a little bit strange for me, right now, but I do have a Facebook page; A private page, as well as my fan page.
Alison: So, you’re at the height of your career, Ms. Henry. Can you tell us about five things you would definitely want to do in your life someday?
Ms. Henry: Definitely travel the world! I’ve already started doing that. I love experiencing different cultures, trying different foods. So, to see all the world to see all the countries.. I think one person can make a difference, and it’s not just a one-off thing. It’s how you live your life everyday, and what you do everyday, and what kind of life you choose everyday…. Oh dear, what else?
Victor: We’re at two. Well, the one you just gave us was two. Now we’re at three now.
Alison: Something around the lines of.. Bungee jumping, skydiving, maybe?
Ms. Henry: I wouldn’t try jumping out of a plane! Skydiving freaks me out! I wouldn’t mind…. I actually did that in KLCC Aquarium! I love dolphins! Well, another thing is… I wouldn’t mind going to space! (Laughter from everyone) Hopefully, when we’re in our 50s and 60s, it’ll be more of the norm, and you won’t have to pay millions to go.
Anis: So speaking of travelling, is there any particular country that you’d like to travel to?
Ms. Henry: Well, it’d be cool to go to the North and South pole! The little bit more… Remote regions, I think. People from PJ, KL, they’re so happy to just stay there, to be there, and to not know what happens around them, and I think that’s a really bad thing, because travel opens your mind to a lot of things. So, if you can afford to do it, travel, because that’s the best way to understand how things work. Ignorance is the worst thing, you know?
Victor: So to what extent would you say that education has changed your world view, and consequently your career as a model?
Ms. Henry: Education plays a huge role; The right kind of education, of course! Academics is one thing; Obviously, we need to know the basics of how things work, and all, but the ability to think, the ability to be able to process information, to think about something, and to come up with your own opinion, to be informed, and to be able to make an articulate comment on something is important in so many different aspects of life. Choosing who your government is going to be, from looking at the world across and knowing what people can and can not do, and it’s even better when you educate children, telling them “These are your rights, these are your responsibilities.” With all your rights come responsibilities. A good friend’s father once said to me, “There are very few lucky people in the world today, and you are one of them, but if you look at the six billion people in the world today, the minority have the ability to make choices in life, to make decisions. So many people don’t get to decide if they get to go to school or university. They don’t get to decide what job they want. They don’t get to decide, what meal they want to eat, and so, since we are the minority who gets to make those choices, so don’t ever give that choice up. Don’t ever sit there and go “Life sucks, I have nothing… Blah blah blah…”, you know? You are lucky!” He said this to me as I was going through some difficulties, some challenges and issues in life. This made me realize that I should make a choice, not act so handicapped.
Victor: What would you consider the most important characteristic out of being a model?
Ms. Henry: Well it’s hard to say, because I’m not just a model, but a TV host, an emcee, and a whole bunch of things, so.. Well, it’s kind of very physical. It’s very image-based, and even to models, they say “be yourself”. It’s kind of funny, because being a model, you’d expect to be someone you’re not, but well, as a model, it’s not about being the most beautiful girl; It’s about a quirky, interesting personality. So it’s really about being yourself on the catwalk as a model, but I think as a TV host and as an emcee, I’d like to think of this characteristic as integrity, I think that’s what’s allowed me to be in industry for ten years, to be inspected, and to hold this level of respect by the community.
Victor: Since you’ve mentioned that quirks are so imperative to your career as a model, so can you name us five of your weirdest quirks?
Ms. Henry: Oh, God. Quirks. What is a quirk? Do you see any quirks, right now? (Laughter) Hmm. One of my quirks…
Alison: Something that you do every day?
Victor: Some people just go home on Friday night, open up bags of Doritos, and watch Transformers till the morning. That sort of thing?
Ms. Henry: Well, I’m usually impatient! That’s not a quirk, that’s more of a… Negative, I’ve been trying to fix. Well, when it comes to something I like, I have to eat it every day until I get sick of it, so if I’m in to like, my green tea frappucino, it takes like a week until it gets old. But I like my green tea! I have to have a cup of hot, green tea every night before I go to bed, no matter what! And I’ve been doing this since I was like what, 17?I’m a bit of an exercise freak right now! I’ve always been into something. Tennis, kickboxing, going to the gym, yoga, pilates, there’s always something that I’m doing. Right now, it’s Pow Plates, tennis, samba classes in Brazil! Well, it’s not classic samba, it’s a different, traditional samba called the Brazillian samba.
Alison: Brazillian samba is a lot harder. You have to use a lot of your core muscles, your hips, and well..
Ms. Henry: …And your legs are half-dead by the end. By the end of the class, I can barely walk… Especially cause you’re dancing in heels. Jumping in heels.
Alison: So… Name us three things that you would never leave your house without!
Ms. Henry: Sad to say, but my phone! I’m addicted to that.. Yeah, my phone, my lip balm.. This is being very.. Fashionny. So, my lip balm, and… This question always stops me, even though I get asked it a lot… What wouldn’t you leave your house without?
Alison: Hand sanitizer!
Ms. Henry: Yeah, cause it’s such a.. Dirty world. (Laughter). Well, that’s all I can think of right now.
Anis: So what do you think of our society, one where 10 year olds have iPads, and are so technologically savvy?
Ms. Henry: Well, I think it’s important to have a balance. I can say about my cousins… They’re three little girls. They know how to use their iPads to play educational games, and each one has her own little iPod, something like that. But I think it’s important for them to run around and play, which they do, enjoy active, normal stuff like cars, going to the gym, and I think it’s a parent’s responsibility to see if their kids are playing on their iPods everyday. If they’re playing every hour you’re away, then honestly, you’ve got a problem. If you can’t go outside and pass a ball, then there’s a problem, and it’s up to parents to maintain the balance.. But I think that technology is beneficial, and anyone who says “Ooh, it’s bad” isn’t looking at the big picture. There’s good and bad in everything, and it’s really about utilizing the good part. And I think for children, there are so many educational programs, and teachers can use those. To have a teacher that can use an iPad, that’s pretty awesome! I mean, the intellectual skill and motor skills behind the coordination.. I think that balance is key behind everything you do.
Victor: So, since there are so many iPad apps available, including apps such as ‘Angry Birds’, would you say that you’ve ever had a particular proclivity towards any of these?
Ms. Henry: Angry Birds! I’ve started playing that! And last night, at 1 o’ clock in the morning, I was thinking “How do I kill this thing?!” (Laughter) I love it, because well, I just love it, you know?
Anis: Any other apps that you’d like to recommend?
Ms. Henry: Well, there’s this app.. You have to pay for it, but when you jog, it tells you, it calculates the distance you run, the calories you burn, looks at the terrain you run on.. It’s very Nike-ish.
Alison: Well, if you could only use one type of makeup, what would it be, and why?
Ms. Henry: Well, I would say… Probably blush. Right now, I’m wearing a little blush, and just a bit of mascara. I think it’s always nice to give you a little glow, and it makes you feel alive. To go a little further, a little bit of lip balm, a little bit of gloss on your lips, and well, mascara always opens your eyes.
Alison: So would you say that you’re a high maintenance girl?
Ms. Henry: High maintenance.. Ugh. That phrase is a little overused, and very easily misunderstood.. So to say that I’m a high maintenance would probably scare a lot of people.
Alison: So what’s your definition?
Ms. Henry: My definition? Well, I like dressing up, I like my nice things, I like fashions, I like my cool heels, and makeup… But I can put on makeup, I can get ready under fourty minutes… Which I think is pretty decent, considering some women take hours, and hours! ..Some men take hours and hours, nowadays! So.. I know how to be polite, but I also know when to chill out, how to chill out.
Anis: Is there a particular beauty routine that you follow?
Ms. Henry: Well, I wear so much makeup, so… It’s good to go for facials, it’s good to always cleanse your face thoroughly, and importantly, to not stress. It’s unavoidable, but stress really affects your skin. I can sense it when I stress myself out; So many things go haywire in your body, so it’s really good to hide and fight your stress, but I’ll say that there are so many skincare products on the market, especially for girls, that it’s easy to get duped and to just fall for them… So it’s really important to not be totally dependent on skincare.
Victor: Alright, so you’ve told us about yoga, tennis, etc… Can you tell us about any extramural activities that you take part in apart from these?
Ms. Henry: I love cooking! In my spare time, I find cooking very therapeutic! So I sometimes spend an entire day in the kitchen, preparing a meal.. My meals are like, starter, main course, dessert, and I make everything from scratch. Cuisines, I always try and experiment with. Lately I’ve been very much into Middle Eastern and Moroccan cuisines, so.. I really enjoy that. It’s therapeutic for me. I do cross-stitch. Very domestic! But I only cross-stitch when my friends or anyone has babies, so I cross-stitch their names, frame them, and give it to them as a first birthday gift to some of my close friends and family… You’d probably do the really complex ones, right? With twenty shades of blue? (Laughter)
Alison: You don’t have the time and patience?
Ms. Henry: No no no.
Victor: We saw in the Star Online that you’re going to wear a ‘wau bulan’ inspired costume for the Miss Universe Finals in Sao Paolo, Brazil. What do you think about this outfit? What about it appeals to you?
Ms. Henry: Well, it’s a good design. An up-and-coming designer designed it, Amir Luqman, it’s a wau-inspired national costume that I wear. I think it’s cool because the wau is a game that many Malaysians played for a long time from the “kampongs” to the cities, it’s something that represents the average Malaysian day, and I like how he’s translated it into something a lot more… Unconventional. He uses the songket fabric from Her Majesty’s foundation, the Tengku Nur Zahirah foundation. Together with all the jewellery, it’s worth over 300,000… Wait, with the jewellery. I don’t think I will be taking that to Brazil, but.. It’s cool. I think it’s nice that it’s a little different from the norm.
Alison: I saw pictures! It’s really nice!
Ms. Henry: Does it look like a wau? It’s called the “Wau Factor”. (Laughter).
Victor: Isn’t it a little hard to cope with fame, considering how so many people follow you around and snap your picture?
Ms. Henry: I think Malaysian celebrities have it easy compared to the likes of Hollywood celebrities and such. It’s not like you have paparazzi knocking on your door, running after your car and such… I think.. I’m okay with it, actually! Yes, it can be a little bit prying sometimes, and yes, you feel “ Oh, I don’t want to go out because I’m not wearing any makeup and I look really bad today, and if anyone sees me”… Lalala? But the good outweighs the bad, and I think about what I get to do. My job. The opportunities I get, it’s worth the slight lack of privacy at times, or something like that. Actually, I think in Malaysia, it’s important for the media to be a little more interested, because I find in Malaysia, when you’re talking about your local artists, whether your singers, or your actresses, sometimes you don’t get Malaysian support. As Malaysians, we’re all guilty of looking towards Europe, and to the States, and we don’t look to see what we have. I do think, and I’ll say this, that our talent is only recognized in Malaysia after it’s been recognized in another country! It’s only after someone goes, “Oh, he’s really awesome!” that we go “Oh yes, he’s of us, he’s a Malaysian!”. It’s like that. It’s happened with Datuk Jimmy Choo, with Zang Toi, and a lot of our music personalities. So, that’s something that I really don’t like, cause it’s really negative that your own people don’t see your potential until the world recognizes it. So I’d like to see Malaysians supporting their own more, and I do see this as a bit of a growing trend, especially when it comes to local musicians like Yuna, Zee Avi… Like yeah, supporting local bands, you know? Even Mizz Nina, you know? If you don’t support your own, then what’s the point?
Victor: Well, we do have a few aspiring fashion models here in Taylor’s Sri Hartamas. What’s your advice for them?
Ms. Henry: To be a model, unfortunately, it’s physical; It’s based on certain physical attributes that one should typically possess, which is your height. For catwalk fashion, you generally need to be 5’9 and above.. There’s so many different things that come to modeling. You’ve got print, you’ve got TV ads, you’ve got the catwalk. So, various different things that one can do in modeling.. My main advice would be.. Try it out. If it’s something that you really, really think that you’d like to do, speak to some agencies, try to get into shows, TV commercials… Just google ad agencies in Malaysia… And give it a shot, cause sometimes people might become disillusioned with themselves. People initially think it is so glamorous, and it’s only after a bit that you realize “this is so not me”, you know? So give it a go, put yourself in that place, and see how you like it. Because it’s not an easy industry and it’s really not as slack as what one thinks it is. It’s hard work. If they call you for a show tomorrow, you’d better turn up for the show, because you don’t know when the next show is going to be. It’s that kind of thing. It’s very ‘as and when’. But definitely try it out, give it a shot, and you may find that it’s something about it that you really like. Having met so many aspiring models, I’ve seen that many of them are so timid, and they go like “Don’t look at me!” You’ve got to stand. Not being arrogant, but look up when someone speaks to you. Speak up, don’t mumble, and just… Be present. That’s something that I feel young Malaysian women sometimes don’t possess. They’re so shy, introverted, unsure about themselves.
Anis: Any last words?
Ms. Henry: Well, thank you for the support! I’ve had so many supporters on Facebook, and well, it’s been great, the vote of confidence… It really means a lot to go somewhere, representing your country, and have your nation support you. There are so many people who don’t get that when they represent Malaysia. It’s an amazing feeling to have, and it just makes you feel that much more confident, that you have the support of your entire country. I think that well, in spite of all this racial tension nonsense that’s going on right now, it’s nice to not even think about that, just to support the cause. For me, going to Ms. Universe is so much about showing people the Malaysia that I know, the Malaysia that I grew up in, and the Malaysia that I like. I’d rather show that side of us, not the minority, not those who have such warped mindsets. We live in a world where there’s so much stuff going on right now, and I find that we sweat the small stuff. We worry about all these tiny issues while ignoring the big picture.. And well, yeah. I’d like to thank everyone for that support. Watch Ms. Universe on the 13th of September, it’s in the morning, so if you’re home.
Victor: Ms. Henry, could you describe the circumstances under which you decided to become a model? Could you shed a little light on your modeling career thus far?
Ms. Henry: Well, I didn’t really decide to become a model to begin with.. But I was 14, I was in Bangsar with my friends one night, and an agent spotted me. “Would you like to be a model?”, she said, and I said “No, not really!”, and… Yes, that was in 2000, and I sort of fell into it. Went to the agency, met them.. Did one show, two shows, and before I knew it, I was, you know, a model! I guess at that time I was 14… It’s kind of nice to do that. It’s a little bit glamorous, and you know, you get to own your money, you get to meet so many interesting people as well, so that was really a pull factor for me. And similarly, joining beauty pageants ever since I was in Malaysia, was something that well, if you had met me in university, was something I was very much against. I didn’t want to be part of a beauty pageant. And I thought about it, and my friends went like “Oh, you should join, you should join!” It was really only after I graduated that I came back to Malaysia, in 2007, when I was approached, and I was like, “Okay!”. Something I’ve learnt is that sometimes, you have to do what you have to do, to do the things that you want to do. If I were able to win the pageant, the title that I would gain would be able to be used to work on things that I was passionate about, and that’s something that I’ve been able to do with it.
Anis: You were Ms. Malaysia World first. What made you decide to participate in Ms. Universe?
Ms. Henry: Well, once again, I had no intention of joining, but a few people spoke to me, and they said, “We’d really like you to join, this year, and hopefully you win, just to elevate the pageant”. It’s a little bit technical, but Ms. Universe Malaysia this year… We actually had two pageants. Mine was in January, so when I come back from Brazil in September, we’re going to crown the new girl in October. So, they needed a girl who was experienced to carry the crown for six months, because it’s very short, and as the new girl comes in, she’s not going to have enough time to prepare, which is why they needed someone who had been through it before.
Anis: So, what have you been doing as Ms. Universe?
Ms. Henry: This time? Continuing, really, the stuff I’d started from before. Nothing really “new”, new. As you know, I run a refugee school; It’s called “Fugee School”, you can Google it, there’s information online. It’s basically a school. We have 100 refugee students from Somalia living here, so back when I started, two and a half years ago, I continued that. And for me, the title is a platform to do many things. I used it to get attention for the school, to raise funds for the school, certain causes, even causes such as Pink Triangle, Malaysian Nature Society, and to speak out on many issues. Something very close to my heart is getting Malaysian youths involved. A big part of me doing social work is to say to people my age, my kids, that this is our generation. Our generation has the knowledge, the resources, and the technology to be able to change so many things in this world, and it is a real travesty if we do not do it. This is the first generation that I think has this. The world’s so connected now; There’s Facebook, and twitter; There’s so much more that we can do, which is why it’s nice to be here today, to see a 100% student-organized event, and everyone is so passionate about doing stuff like this, which I like to support.
Victor: Are there any other causes that you’re passionate about?
Ms. Henry: I work a lot with children, so anything that’s got to do with children’s rights. Education, empowerment of women. I’m also World Vision’s Child’s Rights Advocate, so that’s children once again. Of course, there’s also the rights of people, so I do a lot of stuff in the United Nations as well. Of course, if there is any other cause in which I can help and make a difference, then I will do that too.
Victor: So would you say that social media has played a very large part in marketing your self-image? And well, when did you realize that you had a Wikipedia page?
Ms. Henry: (Laughs) Well, most of the details are wrong! My birthday is not on the 7th of July! I haven’t changed it yet.. (Laughs) I had so many people wishing me on that day, and I went like “No, no, no, no! Wrong!” When did I realize? I think it was created sometime after I won Ms. Malaysia World, so yes, that was when I realized.
Victor: Could you describe your reaction to it?
Ms. Henry: Well, somebody obviously likes you enough to put that together, but social media’s been cool. Especially now, doing this again, doing the pageant, it’s brought so many of the fans and the people who love pageants so much closer, and not just that, but you get a personal relationship, and so much advice from them, as well, so it really does compound it all, and it really… Well, it’s really so much better than not having it, because you learn and get so much advice from so many different people, and you also get to know who your competitors are.. And all the comments that you don’t want to read because they’re so…. You know, negative, and that, so..
Anis: So what do you think about social Media in Malaysia as opposed to in other countries?
Ms. Henry: I think Facebook in Malaysia, as opposed to in other countries, has a very strong following. Facebook is doing really well here, and even now, twitter as well. I love it! If you look at some of the recent happenings, you know that social media was really utilized, and as you can see, around the world, in the middle east, etc, it gives people the opportunity to tell the truth, and to be honest. And I think that’s something that gets lost so often, because different people say different things, and the actual facts get lost. In Facebook, you’ve got videos, you’ve got personal accounts, you’ve got stories, you’ve got status updates. It’s so instant that there’s no way any media machine can cover it any more certainly. So I think the honesty, the sincerity of what that brings, is invaluable.
Anis: So do you have a Facebook and Twitter?
Ms. Henry: Well I do have Twitter and Facebook. I’m not active in Twitter. I don’t have a like “Oh, okay, I’m doing this and…” It’s a little bit strange for me, right now, but I do have a Facebook page; A private page, as well as my fan page.
Alison: So, you’re at the height of your career, Ms. Henry. Can you tell us about five things you would definitely want to do in your life someday?
Ms. Henry: Definitely travel the world! I’ve already started doing that. I love experiencing different cultures, trying different foods. So, to see all the world to see all the countries.. I think one person can make a difference, and it’s not just a one-off thing. It’s how you live your life everyday, and what you do everyday, and what kind of life you choose everyday…. Oh dear, what else?
Victor: We’re at two. Well, the one you just gave us was two. Now we’re at three now.
Alison: Something around the lines of.. Bungee jumping, skydiving, maybe?
Ms. Henry: I wouldn’t try jumping out of a plane! Skydiving freaks me out! I wouldn’t mind…. I actually did that in KLCC Aquarium! I love dolphins! Well, another thing is… I wouldn’t mind going to space! (Laughter from everyone) Hopefully, when we’re in our 50s and 60s, it’ll be more of the norm, and you won’t have to pay millions to go.
Anis: So speaking of travelling, is there any particular country that you’d like to travel to?
Ms. Henry: Well, it’d be cool to go to the North and South pole! The little bit more… Remote regions, I think. People from PJ, KL, they’re so happy to just stay there, to be there, and to not know what happens around them, and I think that’s a really bad thing, because travel opens your mind to a lot of things. So, if you can afford to do it, travel, because that’s the best way to understand how things work. Ignorance is the worst thing, you know?
Victor: So to what extent would you say that education has changed your world view, and consequently your career as a model?
Ms. Henry: Education plays a huge role; The right kind of education, of course! Academics is one thing; Obviously, we need to know the basics of how things work, and all, but the ability to think, the ability to be able to process information, to think about something, and to come up with your own opinion, to be informed, and to be able to make an articulate comment on something is important in so many different aspects of life. Choosing who your government is going to be, from looking at the world across and knowing what people can and can not do, and it’s even better when you educate children, telling them “These are your rights, these are your responsibilities.” With all your rights come responsibilities. A good friend’s father once said to me, “There are very few lucky people in the world today, and you are one of them, but if you look at the six billion people in the world today, the minority have the ability to make choices in life, to make decisions. So many people don’t get to decide if they get to go to school or university. They don’t get to decide what job they want. They don’t get to decide, what meal they want to eat, and so, since we are the minority who gets to make those choices, so don’t ever give that choice up. Don’t ever sit there and go “Life sucks, I have nothing… Blah blah blah…”, you know? You are lucky!” He said this to me as I was going through some difficulties, some challenges and issues in life. This made me realize that I should make a choice, not act so handicapped.
Victor: What would you consider the most important characteristic out of being a model?
Ms. Henry: Well it’s hard to say, because I’m not just a model, but a TV host, an emcee, and a whole bunch of things, so.. Well, it’s kind of very physical. It’s very image-based, and even to models, they say “be yourself”. It’s kind of funny, because being a model, you’d expect to be someone you’re not, but well, as a model, it’s not about being the most beautiful girl; It’s about a quirky, interesting personality. So it’s really about being yourself on the catwalk as a model, but I think as a TV host and as an emcee, I’d like to think of this characteristic as integrity, I think that’s what’s allowed me to be in industry for ten years, to be inspected, and to hold this level of respect by the community.
Victor: Since you’ve mentioned that quirks are so imperative to your career as a model, so can you name us five of your weirdest quirks?
Ms. Henry: Oh, God. Quirks. What is a quirk? Do you see any quirks, right now? (Laughter) Hmm. One of my quirks…
Alison: Something that you do every day?
Victor: Some people just go home on Friday night, open up bags of Doritos, and watch Transformers till the morning. That sort of thing?
Ms. Henry: Well, I’m usually impatient! That’s not a quirk, that’s more of a… Negative, I’ve been trying to fix. Well, when it comes to something I like, I have to eat it every day until I get sick of it, so if I’m in to like, my green tea frappucino, it takes like a week until it gets old. But I like my green tea! I have to have a cup of hot, green tea every night before I go to bed, no matter what! And I’ve been doing this since I was like what, 17?I’m a bit of an exercise freak right now! I’ve always been into something. Tennis, kickboxing, going to the gym, yoga, pilates, there’s always something that I’m doing. Right now, it’s Pow Plates, tennis, samba classes in Brazil! Well, it’s not classic samba, it’s a different, traditional samba called the Brazillian samba.
Alison: Brazillian samba is a lot harder. You have to use a lot of your core muscles, your hips, and well..
Ms. Henry: …And your legs are half-dead by the end. By the end of the class, I can barely walk… Especially cause you’re dancing in heels. Jumping in heels.
Alison: So… Name us three things that you would never leave your house without!
Ms. Henry: Sad to say, but my phone! I’m addicted to that.. Yeah, my phone, my lip balm.. This is being very.. Fashionny. So, my lip balm, and… This question always stops me, even though I get asked it a lot… What wouldn’t you leave your house without?
Alison: Hand sanitizer!
Ms. Henry: Yeah, cause it’s such a.. Dirty world. (Laughter). Well, that’s all I can think of right now.
Anis: So what do you think of our society, one where 10 year olds have iPads, and are so technologically savvy?
Ms. Henry: Well, I think it’s important to have a balance. I can say about my cousins… They’re three little girls. They know how to use their iPads to play educational games, and each one has her own little iPod, something like that. But I think it’s important for them to run around and play, which they do, enjoy active, normal stuff like cars, going to the gym, and I think it’s a parent’s responsibility to see if their kids are playing on their iPods everyday. If they’re playing every hour you’re away, then honestly, you’ve got a problem. If you can’t go outside and pass a ball, then there’s a problem, and it’s up to parents to maintain the balance.. But I think that technology is beneficial, and anyone who says “Ooh, it’s bad” isn’t looking at the big picture. There’s good and bad in everything, and it’s really about utilizing the good part. And I think for children, there are so many educational programs, and teachers can use those. To have a teacher that can use an iPad, that’s pretty awesome! I mean, the intellectual skill and motor skills behind the coordination.. I think that balance is key behind everything you do.
Victor: So, since there are so many iPad apps available, including apps such as ‘Angry Birds’, would you say that you’ve ever had a particular proclivity towards any of these?
Ms. Henry: Angry Birds! I’ve started playing that! And last night, at 1 o’ clock in the morning, I was thinking “How do I kill this thing?!” (Laughter) I love it, because well, I just love it, you know?
Anis: Any other apps that you’d like to recommend?
Ms. Henry: Well, there’s this app.. You have to pay for it, but when you jog, it tells you, it calculates the distance you run, the calories you burn, looks at the terrain you run on.. It’s very Nike-ish.
Alison: Well, if you could only use one type of makeup, what would it be, and why?
Ms. Henry: Well, I would say… Probably blush. Right now, I’m wearing a little blush, and just a bit of mascara. I think it’s always nice to give you a little glow, and it makes you feel alive. To go a little further, a little bit of lip balm, a little bit of gloss on your lips, and well, mascara always opens your eyes.
Alison: So would you say that you’re a high maintenance girl?
Ms. Henry: High maintenance.. Ugh. That phrase is a little overused, and very easily misunderstood.. So to say that I’m a high maintenance would probably scare a lot of people.
Alison: So what’s your definition?
Ms. Henry: My definition? Well, I like dressing up, I like my nice things, I like fashions, I like my cool heels, and makeup… But I can put on makeup, I can get ready under fourty minutes… Which I think is pretty decent, considering some women take hours, and hours! ..Some men take hours and hours, nowadays! So.. I know how to be polite, but I also know when to chill out, how to chill out.
Anis: Is there a particular beauty routine that you follow?
Ms. Henry: Well, I wear so much makeup, so… It’s good to go for facials, it’s good to always cleanse your face thoroughly, and importantly, to not stress. It’s unavoidable, but stress really affects your skin. I can sense it when I stress myself out; So many things go haywire in your body, so it’s really good to hide and fight your stress, but I’ll say that there are so many skincare products on the market, especially for girls, that it’s easy to get duped and to just fall for them… So it’s really important to not be totally dependent on skincare.
Victor: Alright, so you’ve told us about yoga, tennis, etc… Can you tell us about any extramural activities that you take part in apart from these?
Ms. Henry: I love cooking! In my spare time, I find cooking very therapeutic! So I sometimes spend an entire day in the kitchen, preparing a meal.. My meals are like, starter, main course, dessert, and I make everything from scratch. Cuisines, I always try and experiment with. Lately I’ve been very much into Middle Eastern and Moroccan cuisines, so.. I really enjoy that. It’s therapeutic for me. I do cross-stitch. Very domestic! But I only cross-stitch when my friends or anyone has babies, so I cross-stitch their names, frame them, and give it to them as a first birthday gift to some of my close friends and family… You’d probably do the really complex ones, right? With twenty shades of blue? (Laughter)
Alison: You don’t have the time and patience?
Ms. Henry: No no no.
Victor: We saw in the Star Online that you’re going to wear a ‘wau bulan’ inspired costume for the Miss Universe Finals in Sao Paolo, Brazil. What do you think about this outfit? What about it appeals to you?
Ms. Henry: Well, it’s a good design. An up-and-coming designer designed it, Amir Luqman, it’s a wau-inspired national costume that I wear. I think it’s cool because the wau is a game that many Malaysians played for a long time from the “kampongs” to the cities, it’s something that represents the average Malaysian day, and I like how he’s translated it into something a lot more… Unconventional. He uses the songket fabric from Her Majesty’s foundation, the Tengku Nur Zahirah foundation. Together with all the jewellery, it’s worth over 300,000… Wait, with the jewellery. I don’t think I will be taking that to Brazil, but.. It’s cool. I think it’s nice that it’s a little different from the norm.
Alison: I saw pictures! It’s really nice!
Ms. Henry: Does it look like a wau? It’s called the “Wau Factor”. (Laughter).
Victor: Isn’t it a little hard to cope with fame, considering how so many people follow you around and snap your picture?
Ms. Henry: I think Malaysian celebrities have it easy compared to the likes of Hollywood celebrities and such. It’s not like you have paparazzi knocking on your door, running after your car and such… I think.. I’m okay with it, actually! Yes, it can be a little bit prying sometimes, and yes, you feel “ Oh, I don’t want to go out because I’m not wearing any makeup and I look really bad today, and if anyone sees me”… Lalala? But the good outweighs the bad, and I think about what I get to do. My job. The opportunities I get, it’s worth the slight lack of privacy at times, or something like that. Actually, I think in Malaysia, it’s important for the media to be a little more interested, because I find in Malaysia, when you’re talking about your local artists, whether your singers, or your actresses, sometimes you don’t get Malaysian support. As Malaysians, we’re all guilty of looking towards Europe, and to the States, and we don’t look to see what we have. I do think, and I’ll say this, that our talent is only recognized in Malaysia after it’s been recognized in another country! It’s only after someone goes, “Oh, he’s really awesome!” that we go “Oh yes, he’s of us, he’s a Malaysian!”. It’s like that. It’s happened with Datuk Jimmy Choo, with Zang Toi, and a lot of our music personalities. So, that’s something that I really don’t like, cause it’s really negative that your own people don’t see your potential until the world recognizes it. So I’d like to see Malaysians supporting their own more, and I do see this as a bit of a growing trend, especially when it comes to local musicians like Yuna, Zee Avi… Like yeah, supporting local bands, you know? Even Mizz Nina, you know? If you don’t support your own, then what’s the point?
Victor: Well, we do have a few aspiring fashion models here in Taylor’s Sri Hartamas. What’s your advice for them?
Ms. Henry: To be a model, unfortunately, it’s physical; It’s based on certain physical attributes that one should typically possess, which is your height. For catwalk fashion, you generally need to be 5’9 and above.. There’s so many different things that come to modeling. You’ve got print, you’ve got TV ads, you’ve got the catwalk. So, various different things that one can do in modeling.. My main advice would be.. Try it out. If it’s something that you really, really think that you’d like to do, speak to some agencies, try to get into shows, TV commercials… Just google ad agencies in Malaysia… And give it a shot, cause sometimes people might become disillusioned with themselves. People initially think it is so glamorous, and it’s only after a bit that you realize “this is so not me”, you know? So give it a go, put yourself in that place, and see how you like it. Because it’s not an easy industry and it’s really not as slack as what one thinks it is. It’s hard work. If they call you for a show tomorrow, you’d better turn up for the show, because you don’t know when the next show is going to be. It’s that kind of thing. It’s very ‘as and when’. But definitely try it out, give it a shot, and you may find that it’s something about it that you really like. Having met so many aspiring models, I’ve seen that many of them are so timid, and they go like “Don’t look at me!” You’ve got to stand. Not being arrogant, but look up when someone speaks to you. Speak up, don’t mumble, and just… Be present. That’s something that I feel young Malaysian women sometimes don’t possess. They’re so shy, introverted, unsure about themselves.
Anis: Any last words?
Ms. Henry: Well, thank you for the support! I’ve had so many supporters on Facebook, and well, it’s been great, the vote of confidence… It really means a lot to go somewhere, representing your country, and have your nation support you. There are so many people who don’t get that when they represent Malaysia. It’s an amazing feeling to have, and it just makes you feel that much more confident, that you have the support of your entire country. I think that well, in spite of all this racial tension nonsense that’s going on right now, it’s nice to not even think about that, just to support the cause. For me, going to Ms. Universe is so much about showing people the Malaysia that I know, the Malaysia that I grew up in, and the Malaysia that I like. I’d rather show that side of us, not the minority, not those who have such warped mindsets. We live in a world where there’s so much stuff going on right now, and I find that we sweat the small stuff. We worry about all these tiny issues while ignoring the big picture.. And well, yeah. I’d like to thank everyone for that support. Watch Ms. Universe on the 13th of September, it’s in the morning, so if you’re home.
Written by: Victor Tan.
Interviewed by: Victor Tan, Anis Zafirah, Alison Tan Kwan Hwa, Melissa Tang.
