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Interview with Jess Young Miss Chinese Melbourne 2004

Why did you apply for Miss Chinese Melbourne? I was encouraged to apply for MCM just after the 2004 Shanghai Modelling Competition. I thought that MCM was a good opportunity for me to learn more about my Chinese heritage from a new and different perspective. Entering has really been a turning point in my life, it has made me the person that I am now, one who is proud to be Chinese and proud to be a representative/ambassador of Chinese Melbourne. Were u nervous on the competition night? No, I wasn’t nervous at all on the night of MCM 2004 or MCI 2005. I have been performing on stage since I was four so nerves are very rarely an issue for me. Also, I think the fact that I viewed the pageant as an experience and a performance as opposed to a competition really helped. I placed no expectation on myself, thus I was neither pressured nor nervous to do well.

How long have you been studying music/opera? I started private singing lessons in year 8 when I was about 14. It never crossed my mind to study classical/opera singing as I always imagined myself to study contemporary, jazz or music theatre. However, in my final year of VCE my classical voice developed so I decided to challenge myself and continue studying opera at the Conservatorium of Music. What language do you like to sing in? That’s a good question! Lol I guess being classically trained I have the opportunity to sing in many languages and it’s very difficult to pin point my favourite. I really enjoy singing in French and German, they’re very difficult but I enjoy the challenge.

Who are your role models? I really admire Audrey Hepburn, because she was an extraordinary woman who was not only an extremely talented and beautiful actress, but also a strong, intelligent and most compassionate person. However, my biggest role models are of course my parents. They have given and taught me everything that I have today. They came to Australia with nothing and have established and succeeded in creating a family, business and home. I admire them in so many ways, they inspire me to succeed and I hope that one day I can make them proud.

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