New Beauty Pageant Seeks to Revive Traditional Femininity and Inner Virtues

Richard Yin and Lucy Zhou, organizers of the NTD Global Chinese Beauty Pageant, at a press conference in New York on Feb. 10, 2023. (Edwin Huang/The Epoch Times)

With the mission of bringing back traditional femininity and beauty with depth, global television network NTD announced that it is launching its first-ever beauty pageant.

Geared toward young women of Chinese descent, the pageant will be judging candidates on five “inner virtues” that are valued in traditional Chinese culture: morality, righteousness, propriety, benevolence, and faithfulness.

At a press conference held at NTD’s headquarters in New York on Friday, the organizers explained that the pageant seeks to educate young Chinese women about their heritage, in the hopes that the values from ancient China will be instilled in them and prepare them to become role models for future generations.

“These virtues will help you become a better person, such that you can excel in your career and be good to your family. You would also pass on such important values from your heritage to the next generation, and make the world a better place,” said Richard Yin, a pageant committee member and managing director of NTD’s International Piano Competition.

Organizers also emphasized that contestants should think about how their beauty can serve a higher purpose.

“The gods gave you beauty, so what will you do with it? How will you use your beauty for good?” Yin said.

Lucy Zhou, managing director of the pageant, said, “This pageant is not something for fame, but for extolling virtues.”

Unlike most beauty pageants, the NTD Global Chinese Beauty Pageant will not have a swimsuit category. Organizers said it is in keeping with their goal of promoting beauty standards that don’t focus on merely physical attractiveness.

The event is part of the independent broadcaster’s series of cultural and art events aimed at promoting authentic Chinese culture.

Women between the ages of 18 to 30, who have not yet married or bore children, and have at least one-third Chinese ancestry may apply at MissNTD.org. The deadline is May 1.

Judges will select applicants to advance to the next round, an online interview. Those candidates will be required to study an online training course covering topics of self-improvement and Chinese history, including public speaking, self-expression, dressing for success, and understanding Chinese virtues. Yin explained that contestants will learn about the “four classical beauties” often mentioned in Chinese culture. These real women from history are cited as exemplars of sacrifice and selflessness, such as Wang Zhaojun from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE), who chose to marry the leader of a northern nomadic tribe in order to prevent war.

Candidates will also receive training in classical Chinese dance, which will help them improve their poise and body flexibility, Yin said.

Forty finalists will be selected to advance and compete in person in New York in fall 2023. They will be evaluated based on their responses to judges’ questions; their evening gown and national costume presentations; and their creative talents. The competition will be televised to NTD’s millions of viewers worldwide via satellite and cable TV and streaming platforms.

The grand prize winner, who will be crowned “Miss NTD,” will receive a $10,000 cash prize, a sapphire-and-diamond-encrusted tiara, and a selection of fine jewelry and designer dresses. During her full year of reign as “Miss NTD,” she will act as an ambassador for the pageant.

NTD, a sister media to The Epoch Times, was founded in 2001 by Chinese Americans who fled communism to create a platform for uncensored, unbiased reporting on China’s human rights abuses.