Zhu Xuan has taken the same path as Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Maggie Cheung Ho Lee, Michelle Reis, Teresa Mak, Anita Yeun and Valerie Chow to start a movie career in Hong Kong--competition in a beauty pageant. A 20 year old student in Paris she won the Miss China International Pageant held in Hong Kong in January, 2008, representing the Chinese residents of Paris where she was a student. The competion seems to be less for the title itself and more to catch the eye of decision makers in the entertainment business. It is clearly a film and TV centered event, sponsored by TVB with Eric Tsang acting as master of ceremonies and Kenny Bee on the judging panel for 2008. One recurring gag during the on camera interviews with the contestants is their difficulty with Cantonese. They are easy foils since few of the final five have been from Hong Kong--Zhu Xuan, for example, was born in Beijing and lived there for most of her life before heading to Paris.The picture above of Zhu Xuan is from the Venice International Film Festival. Those below are from the final night of the pageant last year.
This is during one of the talent portions of the judging, her severe black bob reminding one of Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly in Chicago.
On stage, looking relaxed and quite lovely wearing a bikini and (one assumes) stilettos while being interviewed by Eric Tsang.
From a rehearsal for the big dance number.
And with her newly won crown set at a rakish angle, Miss Chinese International 2008.
For those who just can't get enough of the festivities an interview backstage in Mandarin with Dutch subtitles.
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