KUALA LUMPUR: The lady who attempted suicide last year due to severe depression brought on by self-hatred and financial difficulties as a result of Covid-19 and lockdowns is now Miss Plus World Malaysia 2021 Finalist.
Elena Tong, 120kg, was shortlisted as finalist from months of casting calls and Malaysians will soon be able to follow her journey as she vie not only for the national crown of the Next Miss Plus World Malaysia but also the international crown of the Next Miss Plus World.
The young woman competing for the title was thinking to commit suicide last year (on May 13, 2020), as she revealed in an Online Seminar on Women`s Abilities and Empowerment organized by Miss Plus World Malaysia on Saturday, 28th August evening.
Present at the webinar were also very important speakers and guests among them Wendy Roach, Published Author and Reigning Ms. Plus Intercontinental 2021 (from USA), Uma D. Ravi, Co-Founder Urban Essential Living, Grace Chan, District 51 Director, Toastmasters International, Cordelia Lee, Inspirational Speaker and Meditation Teacher, Eileyn Chua, Legal Profession and Member of Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club, Mupinderjeet Kaur, Image Consultant, Dr.Lianne Hendriks, Medical Doctor and Reigning Miss Plus World Malaysia 2020/21 1st Runner Up, Jastina Mohd, Lawyer and Reigning Ms Plus World Humanitarian Malaysia 2020/21, Kirubai Kohout, Personal Transformational Coach (UK), Caroline William, Business Woman, and Iswaran Shanmugam, Founder & CEO, SAT Academy, Mental Well-being Coach.
Elena pictures have unveiled to the public on the Miss Plus World Malaysia Official Facebook Page, and many Malaysians are already commenting, giving her encouragement and support.
During her 7 minutes speech at the seminar, which was a discussion on body shaming and self-acceptance, Elena said that she was subjected to rape, sexual assaults, and body shaming.
“People said I m too fat, ugly, and a disappointment.
“I tried to focus on my work but I felt incomplete. There are many things that happened throughout my whole life that added up,” she told the audiences.
“I really felt my life meant nothing but pain.
“I did think of stabbing myself, cutting my wrist, jumping off the building, throwing gasoline on myself and burn myself alive, but I did not want to hurt my family,” she told Malaysia World News when contacted.
Elena, who is now a successful entrepreneur running a food business specializing in English Toffees under the brand “Hantu Is Cooking”, a crystal based jewellery business and also a co-author of The Spunky, The Rebel & A Mama series, said it’s exactly a year since she almost committed suicide when she applied to join and compete in Miss Plus World pageant.
“Having a conversation with the organizers of Miss Plus World Malaysia have helped me to be more comfortable with joining the pageant.
“Now I feel that I am ready to be empowered and I hope to walk with others in this self-empowering journey together. This is my hope in joining this pageant,” she added.
