Deborah Priya Henry

Biography

Deborah Priya Henry (born 21 July 1985), also known as Priya Emmanuel, is a Malaysian TV host, and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe Malaysia 2011. She won Miss Malaysia World 2007, and reached the top 15 at Miss World 2007. Henry left her modelling career to champion for the lives of refugee children in Malaysia.

== Early life == Deborah Henry was born on 21 July 1985 in Dublin, Ireland, to a Malaysian Indian father and an Irish mother. She grew up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Henry spent her secondary school years at Sayfol International School. She particularly excelled in basketball and volleyball at school, and won a gold medal in the Kuala Lumpur International Schools athletics meet. She received a "Sportswoman of the Year" trophy from her school for her achievements. Henry began modelling at the age of 15 and modelled in London three years later for seven months. She appeared in Malaysian rock band Estranged's music video "Itu Kamu". Henry holds a B. Arts. degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Queensland, in Brisbane, Australia.

== Career ==

=== Modelling ===

Henry began modelling at the age of 15, as a catwalk and print model in Kuala Lumpur. She moved to London in 2003. She took a break from modelling in 2004 to study in Brisbane. She returned to Malaysia in 2007 and competed in Miss Malaysia World 2007. She has also appeared on the covers of Elle India, Harper's Bazaar Malaysia, Marie Claire Malaysia and many more. She has also been featured in Vogue India. Henry is the Face of Malaysian International Fashion Alliance (MIFA) 2011.

=== Pageantry === Henry won Miss Malaysia World 2007 and represented her country at Miss World 2007, where she reached the top 15. Henry won Miss Universe Malaysia, on 27 January 2011 in Kuala Lumpur. This gaining her the right to represent Malaysia at Miss Universe 2011, where she did not reach the semifinals.

=== TV Hosting === Henry was one of the three hosts for Bella, a magazine style talk show with Daphne Iking and Elaine Daly.

=== Acting === Henry was one of the cast for The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines (2011).