Artika Sari Devi: Indonesia's Best Moment Yet
The 2005 edition of Miss Universe echoes what happened in the 1992 edition of the pageant. Both were held in Bangkok, Thailand. In 1992, only one Asian made it to the semifinals. In 2005, only one Asian became one of the survivors of the very competitive contest. The lone Asian survivor in the 2005 pageant was one of the unlikeliest of all the delegates. Artika Sari Devi, Miss Indonesia, saved the day for the Asian delegates. After all, how awkward it would have been if no Asian delegate in the semifinals just when the pageant is being held in the Asian continent? But what makes Artika unique is her origins and the harrowing pressure she received back home.
Born in the province of Bangka Belitung, Artika became her country's representative to this Miss Universe 2005 contest after winning the Puteri Indonesia crown. She is charming, with seductive eyes and striking Malay features. She stands 5 feet and six inches which is diminutive by pageantry standards. What makes her Miss Universe campaign an interesting one was the uproar it caused among conservative Muslims in her native country. A group of ulamas and Islamic organizations labelled the Miss Universe pageant as a form of pornography. A small protest occurred in Jakarta and a few international TV stations picked it up. Artika was clearly unfazed, proud of representing her beautiful Indonesia.
Many critics believe that having Artika on the semifinals was a result of the inevitable spotlight beamed on her after all that controversy. She after all wore a one piece swimsuit during the prelims which is considered to be a disadvantageous choice. However, it is believed that Artika was able to charm the preliminary judges and earned her ticket in the Top 15 fair and square.
There is no, if not little, information on what happened with Santi during Miss Universe 1995. The location was in far away Windhoek in Namibia. Santi’s few seconds of fame during the parade of nations gave the world a glimpse of how she fared in that contest. Wearing a traditional kebaya, her hair bedecked with frangipanis, Santi showed her signature amiable face and wide smile and proudly told the world that she represents the spectacular islands of Indonesia.
With all the pomp and pageantry of Thai design and architecture, the stage was set alight by intense excitement. Gasps and cheers were heard as one semifinalist is called after the other. Presenter Nancy O'Dell had the honor to call Artika. She said, "Joining the ball game...Indonesia". Nancy spoke the words Indonesia stressing the mid syllables far from the way Artika would say it. Nevertheless, it was a sweet word that prompted Artika to gasp and grin widely. Her hair was coiffured in a "just-woke-up" fashion. Her seductive eyes just completely complement the hairstyle and Artika took elegant strides and confidently made a pose.
It was a few seconds of fame for Artika and for Indonesia in general. After Artika, five more semifinalists were called but it was only her that represented the Asian region. Unfortunately, the hopes for the crown ended minutes later. The biggest faux pas ever made just when the winds were blowing in Indonesia favor, was the poor selection of the gown. The people who designed and chose it must have been banging their heads against the wall. In the Top 15, most of the semifinalists exuded charm and confidence with gowns that flow where elegance and simplicity were stressed. Artika stood from the crowd for choosing a risque design of all black with busy skirt.
Condemned by extremists but supported by the rest of her nation - the largest Muslim nation well in fact, Artika rose into the occasion and opened a beautiful chapter in Indonesian pageantry. For now, she is the only Indonesian to made it to the Miss Universe semifinals and hope is on the air that she will not be the last. Artika clearly showed that Indonesian beauty can compete with the best in the world and the Miss Universe crown will soon be atop the head of an Indonesian beauty queen.