They Cursed Her To Hell But Malaysian Model Tuti Isn't About To Quit Asia's Next Top Model
One critic said, "I will not support this because I don't want to join her in hell."
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 07 Mar 2016, 12:17 AM
Meet Nuraini Noor, or fondly known as Tuti. She is the first Malaysian model of Malay ethnicity to qualify for the reality show, Asia's Next Top Model.
This is also not the first time Tuti is competing in a modelling competition. In 2012, she emerged as the champion of X Top Model Search Malaysia and X Walk, becoming well known for her edgy looks and fierce struts.
While most Malaysians are excited and cheering Tuti on, a separate group of locals have decided to take on the role of moral polices and have been spurting harsh criticisms at Tuti for joining a modelling competition
One of the comment reads, "Next Top Neraka bila lagi... bangganye aku melayu islam dapat sampai tahap tu." (When will Next Top Hell be... I'm so proud that a Malay Muslim has reached that point).
Another netizen commented, "Saya tak nak sokong dan suhabat kerana tak nak join dia masuk neraka," which translates into "I will not support this because I don't want to join her in hell."
Referring to Tuti's participation in the fourth cycle of Asia's Next Top Model as a disaster for the Malay community, armchair activists have lashed out, saying that female models will be asked to wear inappropriate clothing and be in close proximity with men
Some are very certain that this is a clear sign that the world is coming to an end...
Thankfully, a large group of Malaysians have expressed their full support for Tuti, mostly complimenting her for being an excellent model with "mesmerising walk"
Responding to the disturbing remarks, Tuti has humbly said that while she respects everyone's right to an opinion, she is just a girl who is "chasing her dreams"
"Different people have different point[s] of view and I am not in control of that. I respect each and everyone's opinion," said Tuti, in an email interview with BBC.
"I don't like to put labels on anything. I'm a citizen of the world. I'm that kind of girl who chase[s] her dreams."
The 24-year-old said she did not face such controversy in the past when she took part and won modelling competitions in Malaysia.
As a Muslim model, "that really depends on how you approach the task. You need to be open to the producers, photographer, stylist and everyone involved on issues such as this and the sensitivities attached to it."
"At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to produce good photos and to fulfil your brief and that's what I intend to do every time," she said.
In 2014, Malaysian model Sheena Liam won the second cycle of Asia's Next Top Model.
Following that, two more Malaysians, Shareeta Selvaraj and Melissa Tan Li Hsia participated in the third cycle of the reality show.
The fourth cycle of Asia's Next Top Model is set to premier on 9 March on ASTRO's Star World channel.
While Malaysia has been promoted as a moderate and progressive Muslim country, recent times have seen a spike in religious sentiments: