Kota Kinabalu: A 19-year-old Sabahan has made history by becoming the first woman from the State to win the Miss Globe Malaysia title, marking a proud achievement for Sabah’s pageantry scene.
Daniellyn Izabel Tan, who was also crowned Miss Grand Sabah 2026, said the victory was not only a personal milestone but also a responsibility to represent Sabah’s culture, strength and spirit on a bigger stage.
She said representing Sabah meant carrying the pride and identity of her home state while showing that Sabahan women are capable of achieving success at national and international levels.
“Representing Sabah means carrying the pride, culture and strength of my home state. I hope to show that Sabah is home to talented, resilient and compassionate women who are capable of achieving great things,” she told Daily Express.
Daniellyn, a diploma in business student, said the achievement was a reminder that determination, hard work and faith could turn dreams into reality.
She credited her family as her biggest source of encouragement throughout her journey, saying their support and sacrifices played an important role in helping her reach the national stage.
Beyond the crown, Daniellyn believes a beauty title carries a greater responsibility to inspire and serve the community.
She is the Founder of Hearts of Impact Organisation, a youth-led initiative focused on volunteer work, community outreach and youth empowerment.
Daniellyn said she hopes to continue using her platform to create meaningful impact through outreach programmes, charity activities and initiatives that encourage young people to contribute to society.
“A beauty queen should inspire people through her actions, not just her appearance. True beauty comes from the way you treat others and the positive impact you leave behind,” she said.
She added that pageantry has helped her become more confident, disciplined and resilient while teaching her how to handle challenges with grace and purpose.
Daniellyn also hopes her achievement will inspire more young women from Sabah to pursue their dreams without allowing their background to limit their ambitions.
“Never let where you come from limit your dreams. Believe in yourself, work hard, stay authentic and do not be afraid to take opportunities,” she said.
Meanwhile, fellow Sabahan representative Dovindra Ashley, 20, also achieved recognition after finishing as second runner-up at Miss Globe Malaysia 2026.
Dovindra said the journey was a dream come true after she had hoped to compete in pageantry since she was 13 years old.
She said the experience taught her valuable lessons about confidence, self-belief and personal growth, adding that success should not only be measured by winning a crown.
“A crown does not define the end of my journey. Every competition teaches me something new, and I will continue working hard because I believe my time will come,” she said.
Despite competing on the same stage, both Daniellyn and Dovindra said their relationship was built on mutual support, encouragement and pride in representing Sabah.
They believe Sabahan women are recognised not only for their beauty, but also their resilience, humility and determination to make a difference.
For Daniellyn, the historic victory represents more than a personal achievement as she hopes it will open doors for more young Sabahans to believe they too can reach national and international platforms.
