CHEONG JIA XIN, 19, student of Republic Polytechnic, single

Height/Weight: 1.63m/82kg

Why she joined the pageant: 'I want to show people that plus-size women are just as confident and pretty in their own way. I hope to be a plus-size model.'

Dating game: 'I have a few suitors but being a plus-size woman doesn't mean I have to lower my expectations. A person can be attractive in her own way regardless of size.

'It doesn't mean I have to date someone who is a plus size. My ideal partner should be mature, possess a great personality and earn a stable income.'

2nd from left: Jia Xin vying for the miss Amazing crown

Her diet: 'Five years ago, I weighed 90kg. I ate only apples for a month and I lost 20kg. Not contented, I swam 50 laps a day and ate only two popiah a day and lost another 10kg.

'I thought I would be happy being a medium size but I wasn't. The smaller clothes didn't look good on me and I didn't want to eat popiah for the rest of my life to maintain the weight.

'I was miserable. I slowly regained my weight. Today, I eat what I want and I'm at peace with myself.'

Being a plus-size: 'It can be difficult to shop for clothes as there aren't many local retailers that specialise in plus-size clothes. So I buy them from the few speciality stores here such as Lavender Closet. I also shop online.'

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