Limkokwing University fashion design student Gabrielle Ashley Boudville, who won the Best In National Costume Award at the Miss Tourism International 2010 pageant, talks about her journey into stardom.

Gabrielle Ashley Boudville is what most would consider a beauty pageant veteran. The bubbly 20-year old was a finalist in both the Miss Malaysia Universe 2009 and Miss World Malaysia 2009 pageants and represented Malaysia in the Asia Super Model Contest in China in July 2009.

More recently, she did the country proud when she picked up the Best In National Costume Award at the Miss Tourism International 2010 pageant held on New Year’s Eve 2010 in Kuala Lumpur.

But this exotic Eurasian beauty of French, Portuguese and Chinese descent, who loves crime novels and metal bands, is anything but a typical beauty queen. In fact, she admits to not being a fan of pageants!

“As a kid watching beauty pageants on TV, I could never understand why these beautiful women would want to join the pageants. What was the point?” she laughs.

Gabrielle picked up the Best In National Costume Award at the Miss Tourism International 2010 pageant.

The first step

For this down-to-earth beauty queen, pageants, modelling and the public life was a far removed reality until two years ago. “I was just a regular girl-next-door,” she confesses. She had more affinity with aquaculture (rearing marine fish is among her hobbies) than she did with the runway. 

But after finishing secondary school, she signed up for a modelling course and had the opportunity to appear in fashion shows and newspaper advertisements. Life took a turn for this avid photographer and artist after that. 

Gabrielle’s first taste of fame came in 2008 when she entered the MODA’s Malaysian Young Models Competition where she finished in the top 12. Then she was crowned the Freshie Queen in the freshmen prom night at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) where she is pursuing a Diploma in Fashion Design.

“Limkokwing has changed my life tremendously,” she gushes. “As a child, I had a hard time fitting in because of my mixed parentage. But coming to this university, I felt accepted straightaway. My friends are from different countries; we mix without prejudice.”

She also spread her modelling wings at LUCT by participating in photo shoots and fashion shows.

Becoming a queen

Still, given her previous leanings about beauty pageants, it came as a surprise to her friends when she signed up for the Miss Malaysia Universe pageant in May 2009. “My parents found out about it and encouraged me to give it a try,” she shares. “I went into the competition unprepared. I didn’t even know what beauty queens were supposed to do!”

The rigorous training, which involved grooming sessions with celebrity stylist Peter Lum, left an impression on the green horn though. “I learned a lot, particularly about being more feminine. I’m a tomboy, a little rough for a girl; I used to beat up boys when I was younger! But the Miss Malaysia Universe experience taught me how to be more lady like,” she says.

Still Gabrielle was not about to hop onboard the pageant circuit. Fresh from the Miss Malaysia Universe pageant, the last thing on her mind was to get involved in another pageant.

So it was entirely accidental that she found herself a contestant in the Miss World Malaysia 2009. “I wasn’t even auditioning. I was only at the hotel to wait for a friend who was trying out. We were supposed to go fabric hunting after that. But the organisers persuaded me to join,” she recounts.

“At the interview I actually told the judges that I didn’t want to be the Miss World Malaysia 2009, which left them a bit stunned! I explained that I would only join the pageant when I was prepared because I wanted to give my best and win the title. To cut a long story short, they gave me time to think it over and I decided to go ahead.”

Gabrielle made it into the finals but did not pick up the crown. However, it was third time lucky with the Miss Tourism International 2010 pageant.

“I was introduced to Datuk Danny Ooi, the president and franchise owner of the pageant, by Dato’ Chin See Keat (CEO of England Optical Group] at an event at LUCT. He (Dato’ Chin) felt I had what it takes to be a Miss Malaysia,” she says. “My friends were very supportive of the idea and so was the university. Tiffanee Lim (Associate Vice-President of Creativity and Innovation) was especially keen for me to join this competition.”

Warrior princess

Spurred on by the encouragement, the towering 5’8.5” beauty took up the challenge and clinched top honours. She went on to represent Malaysia at the international level pageant held at the Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa on 31 December 2010.

“As this was an international pageant it was different from the previous national competitions I had joined. I was representing Malaysia so there was definitely more pressure. But at the same time, I was also very proud to be able to stand on the world’s stage and show everyone who we are as a nation. This kept me motivated throughout the pageant to give my best and be the best.” 

Her stunning and elaborate national costume, inspired by outfits worn by warrior princesses of Perak, turned the judges’ heads and won the Best In National Costume Award.

“What I loved about this outfit is that it is really outstanding but at the same time it is also traditional and authentic,” Gabrielle says. “It really portrays Malaysia well. The costumes worn by the other contestants were also outstanding but didn’t reflect their country’s culture. That’s why this is a well-deserved victory.”

Although the pageant was extremely hectic, Gabrielle says she’s already missing it. “It was tiring but also so much fun. We had shows, events and activities almost every day… the experience was simply priceless.”

The LUCT student ambassador says she found everything about the pageant memorable. Even the most ordinary of events like having breakfast or rehearsals together is etched in the mind of this positive, affable beauty queen.

“The girls and I had a short but really good time of bonding. I had the opportunity to take them out to experience Malaysia as regular tourists and some of us went bungee jumping together. I really wish they had more time here,” she sighs.

Future plans

For now, it is back to the real world as Gabrielle concentrates on completing her diploma. Her studies first policy means modelling and other pursuits will have to wait a little longer.

But once she graduates in July 2011, one would imagine that she would certainly not be short on opportunities in the fashion and entertainment industries. She is, however, mum about the future, conceding only that “I have a lot of options but I’m not sure yet. I will just go with the flow.”

She does add that she would love “to be a Victoria Secret type of model!”

With her dusky, statuesque beauty that could certainly be on the cards. So keep a look out for the latest Victoria Secret’s Angels. Our very own Gabrielle Ashley Boudville might just be among them!