Jovena Sonia Dass @jovenaofficial
It is an honor to present to you the exclusive interview with the dazzling Jovena Sonia Dass, a true Malaysian gem and one of the most beautiful young women on the planet. With an impressive list of awards and titles, Jovena has left an indelible mark on the beauty pageant scene and beyond.
From her standout win as Little Miss Global Malaysia 2023 to her numerous awards, including Best Talent Award 2019, Most Confidence Award 2023, Best Welcoming Dress Award 2024, Beautiful Smile Award 2024, Best Social Media Award 2024, and the prestigious Rising Star for Pre-Teen Award 2024, Jovena has consistently demonstrated her exceptional talent, grace and charisma.
In this interview, we explore Jovena’s inspiring journey to success in the world of modeling and beauty pageants. From her humble beginnings to her most notable triumphs, Jovena shares her experiences, challenges and proud moments with touching sincerity and charming humility.
Join us as we celebrate the legacy of this exceptional young woman. With Jovena Sonia Dass as our Special Guest, this interview promises to be an inspiration to all those who dream big and work tirelessly to achieve their goals. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet a true rising star – it’s a privilege to have her with us!
1.-Jovena, tell me about the city where you were born and raised. ,What do you like about your hometown?
I was born and raised in Kajang a small town in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. It’s a city well-known for its traditional dish called “Satay Kajang”. It is the most delicious and mouthwatering dish consisting of grilled marinated skewered meats, which served with spicy thick peanut sauce together with cucumber and “nasi himpit” or “ketupat”, defined as pressed rice in palm leaves. Malaysia boasts a variety of traditional cuisines from different cultures of people that includes Malays, Indians, Chinese and aboriginal groups. Regardless of our differences in terms of cultures, religions and traditions, we all live together harmoniously like a family. That is the most beautiful thing that I like about my hometown, Malaysia.
2.- What are your hobbies? what makes you laugh a lot or gives you joy?
My hobbies are practicing gymnastic, dancing, singing, crocheting and spending times with my loved ones.
The reason I love crocheting is because I like crafting my own designs of bags, blankets, tops, flowers, teddy bears and many other things, which I normally sell to my friends in school and make some pocket money for myself.
I’m also a professional gymnast whereby I usually practice every Saturday morning to prepare myself to compete for the district and state level competitions in my country, which is coming up in July this year.
Apart from the above, I do participate in singing Praises & Worship songs in my Church Choirs every Sunday morning and helping my family and friends in other church’s activities. I prefer spending most of my free time with my family and friends.
3.- 12 years old, International Model – Beauty Queen:
- Best Talent Award 2019
- Most Confidence Award 2023
- Little Miss Global Malaysia 2023
- Best Welcoming Dress Award 2024
- Beautiful Smile Award 2024
- Best Social Media Award 2024
- Rising Star for Pre-Teen Award 2024
When did you decide to take your first steps as a model and beauty pageants? What feeling do you have achieved your dreams, your passions and being a recognized influencer woman today?
When I was 3 years old, I love to wear all kinds of clothes, pose in front of mirror and create my own runaways at home. At the age of 7, I always wanted to be a model and being on the spotlight. Therefore, I participated into Superstar Kids Malaysia 2019, whereby I won the Best Talent Award in 2019. Thereafter, I couldn’t proceed further at that point of time due to Covid-19 pandemic until last year.
I still vaguely remember last year, someone approached my mother and informed her that I have a beautiful feature and should go for a beauty pageant audition held in Kuala Lumpur and then, my mother asked me whether I’m interested in joining. So, I thought to give it a try. Subsequently, I was one of the contestants representing for my state, Selangor for the category of Little Miss Global Malaysia 2023. Honestly, it was not easy at all and felt totally out of space when I met with all the other contestants who are professionals and have experience in pageant competitions unlike me as this was my first time. The only thing I had with me was my self-confidence and my mother kept on saying to me to have fun and be myself. Without realizing, I won the Most Confidence Award 2023 and the title of Little Miss Global Malaysia 2023. I felt so happy mainly because my dream came true when the moment, I walked confidently on the stage runaway with my beautiful elegant evening gown designed by my mother.
Subsequent to that, I have joined and competed in the International Little Miss Pageant Global 2nd Edition 2024 last month with contestants from other countries such as India, Uganda, Indonesia and Cambodia. I have received the Best Welcoming Dress Award 2024, which was also designed by my mother, Best Social Media Award 2024, Beautiful Smile Award 2024 and Rising Star for Pre- Teen Award 2024 as well as one of the finalists in the Talent Show Award 2024 and Darling Crown Award 2024. Regardless of not winning the title of Little Miss Global 2024, I felt so good and contented with myself as I met a lot of nice people throughout the journey and had successfully boost my confidence.
I will not stop here as I see my potential and dreams of being the International Best Model and actress in future.
4.- What do you think is the distinctive, unique stamp of Jovena in each activity carried out as a beauty queen and model?
I just love being myself. I still remember after the recent competition, I was sitting at the corner and feeling sad for not winning any of the titles but surprisingly, most of the contestants and their mothers approached me and hugged me and even, one of them cried to me saying that I should win one of the titles and repeatedly telling me that I have a very big heart.
This actually gave me a smile on my face and made my day because I actually won many people’s hearts in the competition. Then only I recalled during my journey, I was the only one literally lending most of my things such as my hairclips, my high heels, my dresses and even my make-up artist who was only assigned to me, to other contestants since no one was helping them. At this very moment, I felt like a winner. Being humble, helpful and doing good deeds to everyone is something I will never change about myself regardless it’s a competition and I am proud about myself.
5.- Whats is the main virtue that any woman must have to be an international model?
I am still a learner with the ambition to be an internation model in future. So, I would always remember to keep up with my confidence level, smile always and be humble to everyone.
6.- Are you aware of being an influential woman for thousands of girls who want to be models? How important is it to you to be an idol for many girls and teenagers?
I am a newcomer in this field and have more to achieve and learn. I’m so grateful when there are few people in my hometown recognize me, especially in my school and church and began taking pictures together with me. Nevertheless, my intention is to do more good deeds so I will be known as an idol who inspire them to do good deeds instead of beauty alone.
7.- What was your feeling the first time you modeled in front of a video camera? What did you feel the first time at a beauty pageant?
Honestly, I love taking photographs of myself and being in front of video camera. Initially, I was so nervous but sooner, I felt so excited and confidence about myself when I modeled in front of the professional photographers. I really had fun throughout my journey regardless feeling anxious before and during the competition times.
8.- What do you think about the power of social media today?
I would say it can be a dangerous combination because we need to be always conscious and aware whenever we expose our photographs and personal information in the social media especially if we wish to be a model or beauty pageant. As for me, my social medias are under my parental supervision, which I allow my mother to monitor my activities in social medias and if I finds something disturbing, I will immediately consult my mother as she is accessible to it and to act on it so she can protect me and educate me to be always conscious and how to overcome it positively. I verily believe social media is a very important tool to expand our modeling skill and to find opportunities to build my career as well as to gain recognition from so many followers to see you as an Idol.
9.- How do you like to interact with your followers on social media? Whats your favorite social media?
I love Instagram and tik tok because it is very interesting to watch and learn about new things and also, to speak to my friends throughout the world. I love to go “Live” once in a week to interact with my followers and friends in Instagram and to create my own Reels, story and share it every twice a week to keep updating about my wellbeing. Sometimes, I also chat with my followers and treat them all as my friends.
10.- What would you advise young people who have talent but do not dare to take the next step? What would you advise parents who do not support their children’s talents?
I would advise all those talented young people to go out and show the world what you are capable to do. Please don’t be silent. I came from an Indian family and knowing Indian culture, they are very conservative people. Thanks to my understanding, loving and supportive parent, who discovered my talents and encourage me to pursue my dreams. My mother especially would find any kind of safe and secured platforms to ensure my talent is being seen and heard to the world. She always wanted the best for me and my siblings. Even though she has received so many critics from many people for putting me into beauty pageant and exposing my photographs because of my age, she stayed positive with father’s support, who both have only noticed me for my confidence, my capabilities, talent and also, the best in me. I believe many parents should understand that each child is talented in their own ways, and please discover it and support them, otherwise, it will disappear in them. I also believe once you know and support their talent, this will be one of the sources toward the path of survival of their career in future. Now my parent has faith in me that I can survive because of my talent.
11.- What important lessons have you learned from the world of fashion and beauty pageants?
I have learned so many things amongst good and bad things. I cherish the good and ignored the bad ones. Most importantly, I learned to be responsible, stay focus and confidence, speak publicly, the proper body postures when you stand and sit and speak as well as being friendly and humble to everyone no matter they are your competitors.
12.- Jovena, being a model for you has been easy? Were there obstacles? How did you overcome obstacles?
It is totally scary, exhausting and difficult as it is not easy to pose with the right postures, smile and react with different kind of expression and responds spontaneously, as well as doing the catwalk in high heels. I really struggled tolearn all these within few months and I am glad that I have pulled through it even though there were some hiccups here and there.
I believe there is room for improvement for my next journey. I also remembered beauty pageant is not a cheap platform and I’m so grateful to my parent especially my mother as it was not easy for her because she struggled spending a lot without having any sponsors and designed my evening gowns, attires and picked the right accessories by her own throughout the week for me. She kept on supporting and pushing me to ensure I practice and prepare myself for the beauty pageant.
Even though she is a professional lawyer, but I am so gifted and proud to wear all her designed clothes throughout my journey and walked on the runaway during the competition. It is like I made her dream came true since she really wanted to be a fashion designer when she was small.
13.- Have you thought about being an actress? Do you like the entertainment industry?
Yes, every second of my life I wanted to be an actress. My mother has been trying so many places and even taken me to so many auditions without fail to find opportunity for me to get into entertainment industry in my country, however it is not easy task here. It is is my passion and dream to be a Hollywood actress some day.
14.- Jovena, what is your motivation and what do you feel grateful for every day?
My motivation is my family and God who kept me pursuing my dreams and never allow me to give up easily as they know what I am capable of and I am so grateful and thankful to God for keeping me safe and giving me such beautiful and understanding family as my life inspiration.
15.- Jovena, Do you like to travel? What countries do you know? What other countries would you like to know and which places do you recommend to visit from your country?
Yes, absolutely. I love to travel like my mother. She loves traveling a lot. As for now, I have only traveled to Phuket, Thailand with my family. In fact, I want to travel around the world like Cassie De Pecol so I can see the world and admire the beauties of all nations, cultures and their people. That is the main reason I am ambitious to be a Pilot apart from being an actress and model.
The best place to visit in my country is my family’s hometown, Kuala Lumpur. It is the diverse capital city of Malaysia, boasting gleaming for its towering skyscrapers for instance the iconic Petronas Twin Tower, the tallest identical twin tower in the world and Merdeka 118, the second tallest tower in the world and colourful cultures as well as has richest natural reserves. Further, it is a vibrant city that attracts tourist from all corner of the globe. There are so many wonders you can explore in our capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
16.- You and me (Jaime William) are going to play ping pong, I will tell you one word and you will answer with another word that comes to your mind.
- Travel- Discovery
- Dance– K-pop
- Sing– Praise & Worship
- Europe- Paris
- America– Hollywood
- Sport– Gymnastic
- Money- Happiness
- Parents- Love
- Dreams– Achievement/Success
- Character– Humble
17.- Jovena, your last words or final tips
I am so proud of myself because of my family. They are the cornerstones of all my success. I find myself in many ways like in beauty contest, sports and even educational competitions because of them. Regardless the world is not a safe place, but I always pray every step I take that my God is with me as my protector and that is how I build my confidence.
I believe we have to start somewhere now so we can be someone when we grow up. My family are preparing me and my siblings to be that someone in future so that we can survive independently against the world when time comes. We all young girls, boys and teenagers are so talented but without our parent’s guidance and support, sadly, you will never know how capable you are. It is time for us to show all things in different perspectives to make others to understand and accept especially at this new evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Jovena Sonia Dass
Interview conducted by Jaime William Mostacero Baca with – Jovena Sonia Dass – Malaysia
English language
Jovena Sonia Dass Contact: WhatsApp – Email
Interview authorized in writing by WhatsApp – Email: Jovena Sonia Dass – Perumira – Jaime William
All Rights Reserved in the name of Jovena Sonia Dass – Perumira – Jaime William