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I wanted to be a firewoman, because my father is a fireman. But I came to realize that I wasn’t physically strong enough, so I had to give it up.
Being Miss Hong Kong has always been my dream.
Entering the beauty pageant had nothing to do with wanting to get into showbiz. I just want to help people however I can.
People sometimes criticize me for not doing any charity work except for visiting day-care centers and old people’s homes, and being smiley and beautiful. But I disagree.
With the title of Miss Hong Kong, I work as an ambassador for many charity events. Although I am not directly involved in organizing the events, I do promote the importance of giving.
There’s more to me than just a pretty face. I used to be an active volunteer when I was a teenager growing up in England – visiting homes for the elderly and spending time with orphans, for example.
Before the Miss Hong Kong Competition gala, all of us were sent to places affected by the tsunami. I went to Sri Lanka and saw a wasteland. I thought, how could this happen? I wondered what I would have done in that situation. Would I have worried about saving my parents, or would I have just saved my own life? Right then tears started pouring down my face.
All I saw in Sri Lanka was debris and desolation. I saw two dogs waiting loyally for their master in a deserted house. That was really sad. It reinforced my desire to help other people, not just the tsunami survivors.
The most important thing I learned in Sri Lanka is that human beings can be very tough – the survivors weren’t being pessimistic. I left that place feeling hopeful and energized. This is the message I try to convey in every interview that I do.
I know many girls who wanted to become famous by entering Miss Hong Kong Pageant. To me, the competition was about more than looking beautiful – I wanted to challenge myself.
Hong Kong people don’t seem to pay much attention to Miss Hong Kong. They don’t even know who the winner is. But I’m not frustrated at all. Take Maggie Cheung [who came second in the 1983 competition]. She only gained international recognition after years of hard work. It’s unrealistic to expect Miss Hong Kongs to become famous overnight.
People should give us more time – the chance to show what we are capable of. They should be less critical of us.
Not all Miss Hong Kongs want to be a movie star. Most of us have joined the Wai Yin Association, a charity run by Miss Hong Kong contestants. We do a lot of charity work by taking advantage of our connections.
I want to be as famous as Maggie Cheung. But I also want to be a philanthropist.
Feminists complain that beauty pageants are demeaning to women. I don't agree. Wearing a bikini onstage takes a lot of courage and self-confidence.
Modern beauty pageants are not just about having a pretty face. Brains count for a lot. After all, TVB is sending me to Miss World 2005. I’m not afraid of losing, but I don’t want to be an embarrassment to Hong Kong.
Gender equality is quite satisfactory here – many managerial positions are held by women. But I do enjoy having a gentleman open a door for me.
Like many other contestants, I suffered from scandals during the competition. I was rumored to have had plastic surgery. I chose to handle the bad press myself, instead of handing it over to TVB.
There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. So I’d rather be in the news than not.
The only difference in my life now that I’m Miss Hong Kong is that I can’t go out onto the street and buy fishballs and stinky tofu. I have to respect the title that has been given to me. I’d ask my assistant to buy them for me.
I don’t care about acting right now. I’ve got plenty of options. When my Miss Hong Kong title expires after a year, I’ll make a decision based on my popularity among the viewers. If they like me, I’ll stay in showbiz. If not, I’ll do something else.


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Miss Hong Kong 2005 Tracy Ip

Magazines

Our very own beauty queen, Miss Hong Kong 2005 Tracy Ip, is more than just a pretty face. She tells Victor Chau about her experiences in tsunami-hit Sri Lanka and how she feels about the upcoming Miss World competition (Dec 10, 9pm, live on Star World).
