By Jorge G. Zavala | Creative Director
Diligent, goal-oriented, and fashion-forward are a few adjectives to describe Alan Sim, President of the Mister Singapore and Mister International pageants. With over 2 decades of experience in the modeling and pageant world, Alan has both the background and passion for bringing some of the world's diverse talent to the international stage.
Alan and PdM had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming Mister International 2013 pageant, which will take place in Indonesia. The highly-anticipated event will bring 40 young men from every region of the world to compete for the title of Mister International and have the opportunity to represent both their nation and the mission and vision of the competition, which is to showcase savvy, socially-responsible, goal-oriented men.
1) Describe your background in the lifestyle/fashion/male model world.
My love for pageants began in 1985 when I watched my first MISS UNIVERSE Pageant. The climax was in 1987 when Singapore hosted the 1987 MISS UNIVERSE Pageant. I immediately became a big fan of MISS COLOMBIA 1986, Patricia Lopez Ruiz, who competed in the pageant. Thank God for Facebook that allowed me to become a friend of hers, and yes, we do chat sometimes! My “first big break” came in 1992 when I worked as a pageant writer and licensing executive for a pageant company and thus began my career in the pageant industry.
I formerly held the MISTER YOUNG SINGAPORE 1996 title. I represented Singapore at the 1997 MISTER YOUNG INTERNATIONAL Pageant in Puerto Rico and emerged First Runner-up, as well as winning the “Best in Swimwear,” “Mister Amity” and “Mister Cooperation” awards.
2) Who is your inspiration for the work you do?
I am a great fan of the MISS UNIVERSE Pageants and I just love the way they do things there!
3) How did you become involved in this field and develop Mister International, Mister Singapore?
In 2000, I forayed into the world of pageant production when I founded the Mister Singapore Organization and went on to produce the MISTER SINGAPORE Pageant in the same year and the MISTER INTERNATIONAL Pageant in 2006. It had always been my single biggest passion to own and produce a pageant. I’ve used 14 years of my youth but it’s worth it. Both pageants now rank among the most watched male pageants in the world.
4) What would you like people to take from the Mister International competition? If you could sum it up in 3 words, what would they be and why?
WE’RE DISTINCTIVELY HANDSOME, because we are so!
5) When and where will this year (2013)'s location for Mr. International take place? Any specific reasons it will take place here? Is the competition open to the public?
November in Indonesia.
Indonesia opened its door and hosted the pageant in 2010. It has given us its warm hospitality. I am very happy to have the MISTER INTERNATIONAL Pageant be part of this generosity again. We will have more than 40 of the most handsome men in the world competing in one of the world’s preeminent male pageant events who will be able to experience this. Additionally, the event is to the public. Ticket info will be available soon via www.MisterInternational.net.
Diligent, goal-oriented, and fashion-forward are a few adjectives to describe Alan Sim, President of the Mister Singapore and Mister International pageants. With over 2 decades of experience in the modeling and pageant world, Alan has both the background and passion for bringing some of the world's diverse talent to the international stage.
Alan and PdM had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming Mister International 2013 pageant, which will take place in Indonesia. The highly-anticipated event will bring 40 young men from every region of the world to compete for the title of Mister International and have the opportunity to represent both their nation and the mission and vision of the competition, which is to showcase savvy, socially-responsible, goal-oriented men.
1) Describe your background in the lifestyle/fashion/male model world.
My love for pageants began in 1985 when I watched my first MISS UNIVERSE Pageant. The climax was in 1987 when Singapore hosted the 1987 MISS UNIVERSE Pageant. I immediately became a big fan of MISS COLOMBIA 1986, Patricia Lopez Ruiz, who competed in the pageant. Thank God for Facebook that allowed me to become a friend of hers, and yes, we do chat sometimes! My “first big break” came in 1992 when I worked as a pageant writer and licensing executive for a pageant company and thus began my career in the pageant industry.
I formerly held the MISTER YOUNG SINGAPORE 1996 title. I represented Singapore at the 1997 MISTER YOUNG INTERNATIONAL Pageant in Puerto Rico and emerged First Runner-up, as well as winning the “Best in Swimwear,” “Mister Amity” and “Mister Cooperation” awards.
2) Who is your inspiration for the work you do?
I am a great fan of the MISS UNIVERSE Pageants and I just love the way they do things there!
3) How did you become involved in this field and develop Mister International, Mister Singapore?
In 2000, I forayed into the world of pageant production when I founded the Mister Singapore Organization and went on to produce the MISTER SINGAPORE Pageant in the same year and the MISTER INTERNATIONAL Pageant in 2006. It had always been my single biggest passion to own and produce a pageant. I’ve used 14 years of my youth but it’s worth it. Both pageants now rank among the most watched male pageants in the world.
4) What would you like people to take from the Mister International competition? If you could sum it up in 3 words, what would they be and why?
WE’RE DISTINCTIVELY HANDSOME, because we are so!
5) When and where will this year (2013)'s location for Mr. International take place? Any specific reasons it will take place here? Is the competition open to the public?
November in Indonesia.
Indonesia opened its door and hosted the pageant in 2010. It has given us its warm hospitality. I am very happy to have the MISTER INTERNATIONAL Pageant be part of this generosity again. We will have more than 40 of the most handsome men in the world competing in one of the world’s preeminent male pageant events who will be able to experience this. Additionally, the event is to the public. Ticket info will be available soon via www.MisterInternational.net.
6) Favorite travel destination?
When I was in my teens and 20s, I loved traveling to far flung places like the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe. Now that I’m in my 40s, I realize that I do not like long haul flights as I used to. So for now, it will be around the Southeast Asian region.
However, my sentimental favorite place on earth has to be Puerto Rico. I participated in my pageant there, met so many wonderful people whom I still keep in touch with, especially my chaperon Santy Segarra. It has been 16 years! Plus, I love the way of life and places there.
7) Favorite cuisine?
Generally, I love pork, pasta, pizza, bread, bagel, rice, noodles, duck, chicken and corn!
I like to try all kinds of food. But they must not be too spicy, and I do not eat lamb and mutton. I am not a fan of beansprouts, onions, certain vegetables, and fishes. I don’t eat “exotic” foods either, like dogs, cats, monkey brains, pig’s blood, kidneys! They’re too much for me.
8) What are your impressions of Chicago?
O’Hare International Airport! I never got the chance to visit Chicago: the times I was there were usually on transits.
9) What do you love the most about Southeast Asia? What would you improve?
Everything that it has to offer: food, people, hospitality, culture, you name it. I’m a Singaporean and a fellow Southeast Asian too.
Nothing! Southeast Asia is a region that is as special and unique as it sounds. Once you’ve been to any Southeast Asian country, you will leave with a friend for life. We’re that hospitable and genuine.
10) What can audiences anticipate from this year's Mister International competition?
It’s going to be a surprise. For now, I can only say be prepared to meet more than 40 of the world’s most handsome men in November in Indonesia!
PdM is looking forward to Alan's future endeavors as well as the Mister International 2013 pageant.
See you in Indonesia!
When I was in my teens and 20s, I loved traveling to far flung places like the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe. Now that I’m in my 40s, I realize that I do not like long haul flights as I used to. So for now, it will be around the Southeast Asian region.
However, my sentimental favorite place on earth has to be Puerto Rico. I participated in my pageant there, met so many wonderful people whom I still keep in touch with, especially my chaperon Santy Segarra. It has been 16 years! Plus, I love the way of life and places there.
7) Favorite cuisine?
Generally, I love pork, pasta, pizza, bread, bagel, rice, noodles, duck, chicken and corn!
I like to try all kinds of food. But they must not be too spicy, and I do not eat lamb and mutton. I am not a fan of beansprouts, onions, certain vegetables, and fishes. I don’t eat “exotic” foods either, like dogs, cats, monkey brains, pig’s blood, kidneys! They’re too much for me.
8) What are your impressions of Chicago?
O’Hare International Airport! I never got the chance to visit Chicago: the times I was there were usually on transits.
9) What do you love the most about Southeast Asia? What would you improve?
Everything that it has to offer: food, people, hospitality, culture, you name it. I’m a Singaporean and a fellow Southeast Asian too.
Nothing! Southeast Asia is a region that is as special and unique as it sounds. Once you’ve been to any Southeast Asian country, you will leave with a friend for life. We’re that hospitable and genuine.
10) What can audiences anticipate from this year's Mister International competition?
It’s going to be a surprise. For now, I can only say be prepared to meet more than 40 of the world’s most handsome men in November in Indonesia!
PdM is looking forward to Alan's future endeavors as well as the Mister International 2013 pageant.
See you in Indonesia!