By Kimberly Szeto
In a dazzling celebration of heritage and beauty, Tara Wong-Nash has been crowned as the Miss Chinatown USA 2024. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, Wong-Nash’s victory is not only a personal triumph but also a beacon of hope for the Asian American community.
Wong-Nash is the first Irish-Chinese woman to win the pageant.
Reflecting on her historic win, Wong-Nash expressed profound gratitude and joy.
“When they called my contestant number for the title of Miss Chinatown USA, I immediately started crying out of happiness, shock, and gratitude,” she said in an interview with AsAmNews.
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Wong-Nash’s journey to the crown was marked by her unwavering dedication to promoting cultural understanding and empowerment. Throughout the competition, she eloquently advocated for issues such as representation in media and mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of embracing one’s heritage while breaking down stereotypes.
“As a mixed Chinese American, I never questioned my ‘Chinese-ness’ or ever really thought to put a percentage on my culture or experiences,” she shared. “I am the representation that I wish I saw growing up.”
As Wong-Nash embarks on her reign, she intends to prioritize health equity and support for immigrant communities, utilizing her platform to sustain fundraising efforts and advocacy initiatives. Drawing from personal experiences watching her mother navigate healthcare challenges, Wong-Nash is committed to advocating for underserved communities.
“I can’t wait, as Miss Chinatown USA, to continue fundraising, advocating, and building healthier Chinese and Asian American communities,” she affirmed.
Her win comes at a crucial time when Asian Americans continue to face discrimination, making her role as Miss Chinatown USA 2024 even more significant. In a recent act of giving back, Wong-Nash spent the day with friends refilling a food pantry, exemplifying her commitment to community service and empowerment. With her mixed-race identity, Wong-Nash challenges stereotypes and embraces her unique background, embodying the diversity and strength of the Asian American community.
In discussing the Miss Chinatown USA pageant’s impact, staffer Ryan Fung highlighted the pageant’s diversity celebration, mentioning, “Even within the Chinese community, we have a diversity of languages… and talents.”
The selection process was created to highlight that diversity.
“Every year, we have contestants represent different Chinatowns… This deliberate selection process ensures a rich tapestry of AAPI cultures,” volunteer Ramon Tran Tang told AsAmNews.
Fung stressed the importance of mentorship within the AAPI community, stating, “It takes bravery… Contestants have to find sponsors, obtain qipaos/cheongsams.”
The pageant also promotes self-confidence. Sarah Liu, Miss Chinatown Hawaii 2024, shared her profound motivation for entering the Miss Chinatown USA pageant, rooted in a childhood experience of bullying and inspiration from a former titleholder.
“This was the first time I felt truly happy with myself,” Liu said in an interview with AsAmNews. “From this brief exchange, I was inspired and motivated to one day become like her.”
Reflecting on the importance of cultural identity and representation, Liu envisioned hosting a TED talk where she would highlight the significance of breaking cultural and gender norms.
“To be able to break these cultural and gender norms and represent all the once little girls who weren’t allowed to perform [lion dance] has been amazing,” she expressed. Through her story, Liu encourages embracing cultural traditions and defying societal expectations.
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