Twenty-six-year-old Laksmi Shari De-Neefe Suardana was crowned Puteri Indonesia 2022 over the weekend, and thus became the first representative from the Island of Gods to win the title.
Born in Ubud, Gianyar, Laksmi is now set to represent Indonesia at the upcoming 71st Miss Universe 2022.
The 25th Puteri Indonesia pageant was held on May 27 at the Jakarta Convention Center with 45 contestants competing for the crown. Despite one contestant, Jazmine Callista Rowe (also representing Bali), withdrawing before the event for reasons not yet known, the number of contestants was the biggest to date in the pageant’s history.
It was also the first time other provinces than Jakarta sent more than one representative.
Laksmi, who is of Balinese and Australian descent, eventually defeated 43 finalists from 34 provinces. She told local news outlets that she is committed to promoting the tourism sector in Bali, which is currently beginning to wake up following the prolonged pandemic.
“I will [promote] tourism, especially in Bali, and its sustainable aspects,” she said, highlighting the importance of encouraging the development of both tourism and the local economy.
Laksmi was born on Jan. 29, 1996 to Ketut Suardana and Janet De Neefe. Her mother is known to be among those who initiated the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, one of the biggest annual literary events in Southeast Asia, in which Laksmi has been involved as a moderator since 2020.
The Puteri Indonesia website noted that Laksmi, among other things, is a volunteer English teacher for kids at the Hope for Bali foundation, and that she has a Bachelor’s degree in fashion business.
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