Ms Jaime Teo, 36, Miss Universe Singapore 2001

Current job titles: Artiste with Fly Entertainment and co-founder of Twelve Cupcakes bakery.

What have you been focusing on since the pageant?

I've been focusing on Twelve Cupcakes, which I started with my husband, former 91.3FM DJ Daniel Ong.

Winning the pageant came with a two-year MediaCorp contract.

I didn't expect to renew it, much less spend the next 10 years in the media industry.

It was a lot of fun to act and host, and even sing in Taiwan for a year as part of a girl group called One Fifth.

Daniel and I married in 2007 and I gave birth to our daughter, Renee, in 2010.

We set up Twelve Cupcakes in 2011 and it has been non-stop work.

We opened our 10th outlet this month.

We also opened two bakeries selling cookies, called Cookies For Sid, in November.

How has winning the pageant helped you?

The pageant was certainly a changing point in my life because it led to my stint at MediaCorp.

Being a MediaCorp artiste allowed me to experience more of everything.

As a host, I got to interact with people from all walks of life and hear their stories.

When I did travelogues, I got to travel in style on helicopters and yachts and stayed in five-star hotels.

I also got to skydive and do things I would not have signed up for on my own because I prefer to drive around and explore a place.

I got to sing in a stadium full of people at the National Day Parade in 2002 and I pushed myself as a singer and dancer as part of One Fifth.

We had people lining up to get our autographs when we were in Taiwan.

As an actress, I get to become someone else for a while. I enjoy it because every role is different.

What is one common misconception people have of beauty queens?

It is that beauty queens are concerned only with how they look.

I know of a few beauty queens who beat that misconception to a pulp.

I have been fortunate not to have heard any comments that cast doubt on my ability.

Until last year, most people still remembered me as Miss Singapore.

But recently, people have started referring to me as "that Twelve Cupcakes owner".

People come up to me and tell me they love our cupcakes and I feel the success of Twelve Cupcakes has superseded my achievement of being crowned Miss Universe Singapore.

Reaching a new high in life is very fulfilling.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I would like to be remembered for being a loving mother.

What do you fear most about ageing?

This is a tough question.

I suppose every woman worries about looking older and her sagging bits.

But the trade-off is that life has become so much more purposeful and meaningful because of my family.

I focus on that and forget my fear.

As a beauty queen, what is the best beauty tip you have to offer?

Always remove your make-up completely and moisturise your face before you sleep, no matter how tired you are or how late it is.

Even if you fall asleep with your make-up on and wake up at three in the morning, drag yourself out of bed and wash your face.

Sufficient sleep and hydration are very important too.

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