By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 31: Sarawak’s very own Viviana Lin Winston etched her name into the history books after being crowned Miss Grand Malaysia 2025 during the grand finale held in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (July 30) night.
Her victory marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first Iban woman to ever win the prestigious national beauty title.
“I’m incredibly proud to be the first woman from Sarawak, and the first Iban woman, to be crowned Miss Grand Malaysia.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. This win is not just mine, it belongs to the people of Sarawak,” she said in an interview with TVS following the competition.
Viviana revealed that the journey to the crown was not without its challenges. Juggling pageant preparations with her academic responsibilities, particularly her final exams, demanded resilience and discipline.
“It was a tough balancing act between preparing for the pageant and completing my final exams. But in the end, hard work paid off,” she shared
Throughout the competition, Viviana emerged as a standout contender, impressing judges and audiences alike during multiple rounds including the national costume showcase, evening gown segment, and the question-and-answer session.
She advanced to the top two alongside Nisha Thayananthan before being announced as the winner. Overcome with emotion, Viviana was crowned by outgoing Miss Grand Malaysia 2024, Melisha Lin.
Dr Sean Wong, national director and license holder of Miss Grand Malaysia, praised both the event’s successful execution and Viviana’s inspiring win.
“It’s rare to find participants who are not only bold enough to step into the spotlight, but also dedicated to uplifting their communities and redefining what it means to be a beauty queen.
“I am immensely proud of Viviana. She embodies all the values we strive to promote—strength, purpose, and authenticity. Congratulations to our new queen from Sarawak,” he said.
Wong also hinted at the potential for the pageant to expand its presence in East Malaysia.
“Viviana’s win opens exciting possibilities for hosting Miss Grand Malaysia in Sarawak in the near future. We’re eager to connect with local communities and widen our reach, especially to engage and empower more supporters from the region,” he added. — DayakDaily
