By Jennifer Tseng
On Sept. 30th, New York welcomed the grand finale of the first-ever NTD Global Chinese Beauty Pageant. It was part of a series of international cultural and arts events hosted by New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV). The organizers’ aim is to promote traditional Chinese culture and bring back pure authenticity, pure goodness, and pure beauty.
Thirty-two young women of Chinese descent from across four continents gathered for the pageant. The week-long event culminated in the crowning of Cynthia Sun, a 24-year-old Texas native, as Miss NTD; 11 other contestants were awarded additional titles.
Where Virtue Meets Beauty
“It was an amazing learning opportunity,” said Ms. Sun of her experience. “It’s not just about broadcast, not just about what a beauty contestant is, but how traditional Chinese women should be, and how those values can be embodied in us, and how that shows in our actions towards each other as well as what messages we send out into the world.”
“We did this as a team. I’m not winning this crown for myself—it represents the growth that all of the girls have gone through.”
Chinese history is filled with legendary women who possessed not just physical beauty but great virtues and talents. The ancient legends of the “Four Beauties” were the most prominent—Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan, and Yang Guifei. Through their actions and sacrifices, these women irrevocably shaped and directed the course of China’s dynasties.
NTD’s beauty pageant zeroed in on the five virtues that are believed to be essential for women in traditional Chinese society: morality, righteousness, propriety, benevolence, and faithfulness. These values, in addition to the contestants’ presentation, talent, and interview, formed the basis of the competition’s judging criteria.
According to Miss NTD’s website, the competition “is a celebration of the most natural beauty inherent in the Chinese woman.”
A Different Kind of Pageant
The judging panel was composed of industry experts, winners of international pageants, top performers, as well as scholars in traditional Chinese culture.
Among them was Mark Lubric, the founder of a modeling agency. Reflecting on his experience, Mr. Lubric stated that though external beauty does come first in his field, it’s also very important for potential models to have good character.
“The fact that the pageant is using traditional culture as a way back [to] traditional values is very important,” he said. He believes the contest’s mission is exactly what modern society needs.
“When you look at the society today—when you look at broken families, divisions among people, I think one of the root causes of that is people have moved so far away from traditional values,” he said.
“So, I think what we’re trying to do here is find positive role models by bringing back traditional values—which has kind of been a foundation for a healthy society for millennia, for generations and generations.”
Also on the panel was celebrity stylist Gabriel Giorgiou. Coming from the fashion and entertainment industry where outward appearance reigns supreme, Mr. Giorgiou said he appreciated the competition’s focus on inner beauty. He was honored to be a part of this unique event.
“It’s nice to base things on the energy the girls exude, and also their inner self, their inner beauty based on morality and virtues,” he said. “I think that comes across in their grace and their elegance and their charisma, the harmonious walk and expressions.”
You don’t just look at their beautiful gowns, hair, face, and makeup. You have to weigh every aspect and judge in a well-rounded way. This competition is very different and meaningful, he added.
The Inaugural NTD Global Chinese Beauty Pageant aims to promote traditional Chinese culture and bring back pure authenticity, goodness, and beauty. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Vicky Zhao, the first runner-up of Miss NTD showcasing her dance skills at the competition. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times) Contestant Karen Yu performed on the two-stringed erhu at the finale. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)
From the Inside Out
While NTD’s pageant placed a heavy emphasis on the contestants’ knowledge of traditional Chinese culture, judge Alison Chen, an assistant professor of dance at Fei Tian College, wants more than just textbook information.
“In Chinese culture, there’s a deep connection with what is within, with how you present yourself outside,” she said. She hopes that through this experience, the girls will develop not just an in-depth understanding of the culture they represent but also apply these values to their daily lives.
Bonded by their shared experience and blossoming sisterhood, Ms. Sun is confident that she and her fellow contestants will be bringing this positive energy with them wherever they go.
“I really believe that if we can showcase our inner beauty, our self-confidence, our groundedness, and knowing who we are…if we can translate that and spread that message to everyone else…that’ll make for a much more prosperous and successful society as a whole,” she said.
“Tomorrow everyone is going to travel thousands of miles back to their hometowns around the world, but this moment we have is so special and we’ll remember it for the rest of our lives.”
