Francisca Luhong James
Francisca Luhong James (born 14 October 1995) is a Malaysian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2020. She represents her country at Miss Universe 2020 at Florida, United States. Early life and career. James was born in Kuching, Sarawak, is a mixed of Kayan, Kenyah, and Iban with her native roots of Dayak. She is the eldest of 3 siblings and the only daughter of James Mering Bungan and Pauline Japok. She also holds a Degree in Mass Communication majoring in Public Relations. Pageantry. Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2015. At 19, James  participated in Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2015, an ethnic beauty pageant held annually during the Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival. She was placed as the second runner-up of the competition. Miss World Malaysia. Miss World Malaysia 2016. In 2016, James was one of the finalists in the Miss World Malaysia 2016 pageant. She also won 3 of the 12 subsidiaries awards which were Miss Talent, Miss Natural Beauty, and Miss Elegant. At the end of the pageant, she ended up in the Top 5 finalist. Miss World Malaysia 2018. Two years later, James tried her luck for the second  time in Miss World Malaysia pageant.. She won 2 of 6 subsidiaries awards which were the People's Choice Award and Top Model Award. During Miss World Malaysia 2018, she was one of the Top 5 finalists. The eventual winner, Larissa Ping Liew and the 2nd runner-up, Naomi Sim were fellow Sarawakians. Miss Universe Malaysia 2020. In 2020, James participated in the Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 pageant and eventually won the pageant. She was the only finalist from Sarawak. As the winner, she earned the rights to represent Malaysia in Miss Universe 2020 pageant. The final competition of the  56th Miss Universe Malaysia was held on 5 September 2020 at Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. James was the eight Miss Universe Malaysia from Sarawak and also the first Dayak woman to win the prestigious title. Miss Universe 2020. James represented Malaysia at Miss Universe 2020 competition which was held in Hollywood, Florida, United States on 16 May 2021. Although she was considered to be the drought-breaker for Malaysia in Miss Universe 2020, she ended up did not make it into the Top 21 semi-finalist. Her journey was marked in the history of the Miss Universe Malaysia pageant as  the 50 years of unplacement for Malaysia in Miss Universe pageant.