A wholesome blend of East and West with Asian and Irish roots, Deborah Henry spent much of her teenage years on a bullet train to stardom, journeying from modelville to university, to beauty pageants, charities and the media forefront, becoming the woman she is today – Miss World & Universe Malaysia, model, TV host, actress, MC, humanitarian aide & ambassador, and co-founder of her own charity.
Deborah took to the runway and fashion editorials at the age of 15, and later moved to London in 2003, landing herself the opportunities to collaborate with such luxury houses as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Ungaro.
After obtaining her degree from the University of Queensland, Australia, Deborah was invited to join the Miss Malaysia World pageant, and subsequently did her people proud at Miss World 2007 in Sanya, China, and Miss Universe 2011 in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Placed amongst over 100 beautiful young women from around the world, an experience she describes as “one of the most intense in my life”, Deborah stood out as one of the 15 semi-finalists in Miss World, the highest placement a Malaysian contestant has achieved since 1998.
Deborah is also a children’s rights advocate for World Vision and refugee rights advocate for UNCHR Malaysia.
Today, while she continues to be in the media and fashion limelight as model, TV host and popular style icon, Deborah is set to explore opportunities overseas, be it acting, hosting or making a documentary. “I can be in a little back alley in India or Myanmar on a project with World Vision, and on the catwalk of a high fashion event the next. I love being out of my comfort zone and breaking stereotypes.”
