In the evening of August 2nd, 2025, the final of the Taiwan-American Miss Pageant was held at the Hilton Hotel in San Gabriel, Los Angeles. The spectacular performances of cello, dance, and exquisite jewelry designs left nearly 500 guests in awe, with continuous praises echoing throughout the venue.
Chairman of the Los Angeles Taiwan Center, Tian Yihong, expressed in his speech that the selection event is not just a beauty pageant, but also an important platform for nurturing young leaders and preserving culture. He thanked the long-term support and participation from various overseas community leaders. Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Ji Qinyao, also attended the event and encouraged the contestants to bravely pursue their dreams, exert positive influence, and become key forces in promoting social progress in the Taiwan-American community.
Throughout the selection process, the ten contestants underwent eight weeks of intensive training, including etiquette classes, speech skills, Taiwanese history education, as well as showcasing their talents through performances and witty Q&A sessions during the evening. After fierce competition, jewelry designer Ami Wang stood out and was crowned the winner.
Ami Wang, a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), currently works at a high-end jewelry company in downtown Los Angeles. Her talent performance consisted of a video presentation accompanied by live commentary, introducing the art and craftsmanship of jewelry design, showcasing her professional background and creativity. She emotionally expressed, “Growing up, I didn’t have many Taiwanese around me, and I once doubted my ability to represent the Taiwanese community. To receive support and trust from the overseas community today means a lot to me.”
First Princess was awarded to Natalina Chen, who also won the Talent Award, Styling Award, and Popularity Award, impressing the audience with her outstanding performance. Other princesses include Alvina Lin as Second Princess, Irene Chang as Third Princess, eJenn Huang as Fourth Princess, Alina Yang as Fifth Princess, and Audrey Chen as Sixth Princess. Additionally, the three goodwill ambassadors are Jessica Lin, Tiffany Lin, and Jane Stalnaker, with Jessica Lin also receiving the People’s Choice Award.
Natalina Chen’s mother, Huang Qunyan, felt immensely proud witnessing her daughter’s transformation on stage. She mentioned that her daughter was originally introverted, used to express herself through dance, and had never been comfortable speaking on stage. However, through the eight-week training program of the Taiwan-American Miss Pageant, she not only deepened her understanding of Taiwanese culture but also learned about female leadership, showcasing confidence and growth.
“Huang Qunyan said, “My daughter wants to use this opportunity to learn about her late father’s homeland – Taiwan. Since her father passed away last year, she wants to explore her roots.” Huang Qunyan believes this is not just a competition but also a valuable opportunity for personal growth.
The judging panel for this edition was strong, including Judge Helen Huang Yang of the Los Angeles Superior Court, appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom. She was the winner of the first Taiwan-American Miss pageant 25 years ago, where her passion for Taiwanese culture impressed the judges and inspired her to pursue a career in law. Returning to the stage as a judge with the title of a judge, she emotionally commented, “Seeing this generation of young Taiwanese women speaking up for Taiwan fills me with hope for Taiwan’s future.”
Peggy Huang, a councilwoman from Yorba Linda who also served as a judge, praised all the contestants for their outstanding performances. She expressed being moved and proud to see them confidently showcasing their talents on stage, hoping that her two daughters would have the opportunity to participate in such culturally significant events in the future.
Amy Wang, the winner of “Mrs. Asia International,” served as a judge as well. She remarked that having been on stage herself, she understands the efforts and pressures the contestants face, and finds their passion and identification with Taiwan touching. She hopes to have more opportunities in the future to interact with these young individuals and support them in finding their own paths.
At the end of the event, the former 2023 Taiwan-American Miss Queen, YiShan Song, personally crowned Ami Wang, symbolizing the passing of responsibility and the continuation of generations.
Yang Yueying, the Executive Director of the Taiwan-American Miss Pageant Committee, mentioned that this year’s participants ranged in age from 16 to 25 and had less experience. The stringent eight-week training program focused on presenting etiquette and on-the-spot reactions, covering practical skills such as dance, makeup, and hairstyles, enabling the contestants to autonomously manage their image, “It’s not about changing them, but helping them to showcase the best version of themselves.”
Yang Yueying emphasized the importance of deepening participants’ understanding of Taiwanese culture and history education, helping them build a sense of identity and emotional connection to Taiwan from within, as well as cultivating their leadership and cultural confidence. The organizers also encouraged the contestants to engage more with Mandarin and Taiwanese languages, becoming confident and elegant female representatives of the Taiwan-American community.