Born in China, but she wants S'pore crown

ANDREA CHE

She may hail from China's Shandong province, but 24-year-old Andrea Che hopes to be a Singapore beauty queen.

The private banker, who came here on a Ministry Of Education scholarship at the age of 18 in 2007, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Science (majoring in quantitative finance) from the National University of Singapore last year.

She became a Singapore permanent resident recently and is now applying for Singapore citizenship.

Even though she was born and bred in China, Miss Che claims she feels more like a Singaporean at heart.

She said in English: "I see China as my motherland, but Singapore as the place to which I have more attachment to. I feel that I belong here."

The 1.76m-tall long-haired beauty added: "Singapore has a very diverse culture, which sees people from different countries coming together and living in harmony.

I fit right in here, and I think I can be the one to represent Singapore on an international level."

Ms Angela Tay, director of ERM Singapore Marketing, which organises the pageant, said it is fine for a Singapore permanent resident to win the pageant, adding: "It is stated in the agreement signed with the finalists that they must continue to reside in Singapore for at least two years from the date of winning."

Miss Che said she used to be a tomboy before she came to Singapore. It was only after she stopped living here that she realised she had to dress up and look good in order to make an impression. Miss Che took part in the Miss Chinatown Singapore 2012 and Miss Earth Singapore 2013, but did not win.

Her love for Singapore extends to local men as well. Even though she has yet to date one since relocating here, Miss Che would like to have one as her boyfriend.

She sang praises of them, saying: "I get along well with Singaporean men due to our similar cultures. They are great, helpful, considerate, gentlemenly..."