HONG KONG – The newly crowned Miss Hong Kong winner found herself alone on stage as fellow contestants rushed to congratulate the runners-up, sparking online speculation about her popularity—a situation she later attributed to strict production instructions rather than personal rejection.
Yuen Si-hang was named the 2024 Miss Hong Kong winner in a televised finale, with Deng Kwong-min taking first runner-up, Li Zexin securing second runner-up and the “Best Photogenic” award, and Li Chengqing winning the “Miss Friendship” title. The four appeared together Thursday at an award ceremony in Kowloon, where the newly minted queen addressed several controversies that emerged after her victory.
Stage snub explained
Social media users noticed that after the crowning moment, several eliminated contestants approached the runners-up to offer hugs and congratulations, but no one stepped forward to embrace Yuen. Some commenters questioned whether the winner had poor relationships with her peers.
Yuen clarified that production staff had given explicit directions to the other finalists. “The crew told everyone earlier not to block the champion’s camera shot, so the other girls were hesitant to come close,” she said in Cantonese. “It wasn’t a personal issue.”
Address exposed, relocation considered
Following the live broadcast, media reporters followed Yuen back to her home in the Tuen Mun district, inadvertently revealing her residential address. The winner said she was unfazed by the exposure.
“My family and friends are happy for me, and even the security guard downstairs congratulated me,” she said. “I’m not worried about being recognized by neighbors.”
However, Yuen acknowledged that her current residence is remote and the commute expensive. She stated she is considering relocating to a more central location to accommodate her new duties as Miss Hong Kong.
Quitting theme park job to pursue pageant career
Before her pageant victory, Yuen worked as a performer at a local theme park. She revealed that she is preparing to resign to fully dedicate herself to Miss Hong Kong obligations.
“My employer has been very supportive of my dream,” she said, adding that the company encouraged her to compete and is understanding of her departure.
Runner-up shrugs off ‘buck teeth’ remarks
First runner-up Deng Kwong-min, who worked in fashion in London before returning to Hong Kong for the pageant, faced online comments about her teeth—with some users calling her “buck-toothed.”
Deng responded with good humor. “I don’t mind at all,” she said. “There’s a Chinese saying that beautiful women have slightly prominent teeth.” She added that she would discuss her future career plans with her employer in the UK.
Broader implications for Hong Kong pageantry
The 2024 pageant has reignited discussions about the pressures and scrutiny faced by beauty queens in the digital age. From camera-avoidance protocols to privacy breaches after public events, winners must navigate both on-stage expectations and off-stage media attention.
Yuen’s willingness to address criticism directly—combined with her practical concerns about housing and employment—reflects a shift toward transparency among modern pageant winners. Industry observers note that the Hong Kong pageant, like its global counterparts, is evolving to produce queens who combine poise with real-world pragmatism.
As Yuen prepares to move and begin her one-year reign, she will also undergo official training in etiquette, public speaking, and charitable engagement—standard preparation for a role that increasingly demands both glamour and resilience.
