Contestants

1 Elina Huang 黄慧明

Sponsor: SoCal Fukinese Association

My name is Elina Huixuan Huang, a 19-year-old Chinese-American nursing student and medical aesthetics consultant at Mosa Beauty Medical Center. Born in China and raised in the U.S., I am fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, which helps me connect with diverse communities and share Chinese culture.

I am passionate about traditional and modern dance, using it to express myself and bridge cultures. Through the Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Pageant, I aim to showcase the talent and ambition of Chinese-American women while promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

2 Jennitine Chang 張笙庭

Hello! My name is Jennitine Chang and I am a Business Administration student at the University of Southern California. With a passion for fashion, beauty, and community, I have had the privilege of working with various brands as a campus ambassador, staying engaged with the student community and expressing my love for creativity and marketing. As a contestant in the Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Pageant 2025, I am proud to represent my culture and community while embracing my role as a leader. I believe in the power of authenticity to inspire others and create a positive impact. I am excited to form meaningful partnerships with companies and sponsors that share these values!

3 Kaitlyn Tang 曾秀蘭

Kaitlyn Tang is a dynamic and passionate individual with a heart for service, currently competing in the 2025 Miss LA Chinatown pageant. Since the age of 13, she has used her platform as a studygram to inspire and motivate others to realize their potential academically, sharing study tips, resources, and encouraging others to push past their limits. Her advocacy doesn’t stop at education—Kaitlyn is also a fierce supporter of mental health awareness, particularly within the Asian community, where she works to break the stigma and foster a space for open dialogue and support.

In addition to her advocacy work, Kaitlyn is dedicated to making a difference through her future career in nursing. She dreams of becoming a healthcare professional who not only provides care but also empowers her community. With her blend of ambition, compassion, and dedication, Kaitlyn is ready to make an impact as both a pageant contestant and an advocate for change.

4 Emma Chen

Sponsor: Quon Yick Noodle Co.

My name is Emma Chen, I was born into a family deeply rooted in Chinese culture, with both parents as Mandarin teachers. My home was filled with traditions, from dumpling-making gatherings to practicing calligraphy, instilling a strong sense of heritage and the central value of family. I graduated from USC in 2023, majoring in Journalism. 

Now as a news reporter at ETTV America, I am dedicated to bridging the gap between mainstream media and the Chinese community, ensuring those whose primary language is not English stay informed and connected. I aspire to join the Miss LA Chinatown Pageant to celebrate and promote the cultural heritage that shaped me. This platform offers an opportunity to inspire young women to embrace their roots, connect with the community, and advocate for cultural preservation while honoring both tradition and modern aspirations.

5 Salina Zhang 陳懿

Growing up in China and moving to the U.S. at 18 was a transformative experience that shaped my resilience and love for new challenges. My journey has taught me the importance of embracing change, building connections, and finding joy in every step.

I love dancing, performing, and trying new things, which reflect my outgoing, positive, and creative nature. As an experiential learner, I thrive on building meaningful relationships and inspiring those around me. Competing in the Miss LA Chinatown Pageant is a chance to celebrate my heritage, showcase creativity, and uplift others in the community.

I’m seeking sponsorship from partners who value cultural pride, resilience, and the power of connection. Together, we can inspire confidence and create meaningful opportunities that highlight the beauty and strength of our shared stories.

6 Chelsea Snow 劉申如

Sponsor: Chinese american citizens alliance

Chelsea Snow is a performer who is currently attending UCLA for business economics. She began singing when she was 10 years old and found her true love on the stage. Through the years, she’s won many awards, championships, appearances on magazines, newspapers, and featured on many major international television shows while performing all over the world from charity events at the old folks home to performing in front of the Queen. Every performance, whether it be big or small, she always puts her whole heart in it. She is caring, full of wisdom, and a fearless leader. Singing is her life but she has also accomplished a strong 4.0 GPA all throughout her academic career. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys painting, ice skating, and designing. Her dream is to tour all over the world, and especially, in her hometown, Beijing.

7 Nina Koh 柯明君

Sponsors: Mello Mello & San Marino Chinese Club

My name is Nina Koh and I am a senior at the University of Southern California, majoring in business. As fundraising chair for my Asian-interest sorority, I successfully tripled funds raised compared to the previous semester. I am passionate about promoting and supporting causes important to me, while building closer connections and stronger bonds among people.

My Chinese heritage has played an integral part of my life. I have attended West Coast Chinese Family Camp every year, spent two summers volunteering for the Peach Foundation camp serving to inspire underprivileged youth in Yunnan, China, and studied abroad in Hong Kong last semester.

My deep love for uplifting and encouraging young girls led me to participate in Miss LA Chinatown. Through this platform, I aim to embrace my cultural heritage and continue inspiring others to celebrate theirs as well, fostering pride and unity within our community.

8 Katie Gao 高雅欣

Sponsor:

Hello, my name is Yaxin Gao. I’m currently a nursing student, set to graduate next year. I’ve always had a passion for helping others, which is why I chose this field. Outside of school, I love spending time in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes whenever I get the chance. I’m also an animal lover and enjoy caring for pets. Family is really important to me, and I make sure to spend as much time as I can with them. I moved to the U.S. when I was 12, and since then, it has truly become my second home. I’m excited for what the future holds and look forward to making a positive impact both in healthcare and in my personal life.

9 Ashley Gong 龔美美

Sponsor: Quan/Hing Family

Ashley Mei Gong is a SAG-AFTRA actress, arts director, educator, mentor, and entrepreneur born and raised in Los Angeles. She is the Co-CEO of RollingPear and PearSky, digital platforms connecting the future of employment and EduTech. As the oldest of five children, Ashley learned responsibility and work ethic early in life, which shaped her leadership style. With a background in theatre and coding education, she has worked with students of all ages, inspiring creativity and growth. As General Manager and Musical Theatre Executive Director at The Grand Academy of Ballet, she values mentorship, diversity in Hollywood, and creating family-friendly entertainment that empowers communities.

10 Michelle Dupont 杜靜

Sponsor: AO & AOC Freight Corporation

Michelle Dupont is a sophomore at UCLA who loves connecting with people and celebrating her culture. Raised in Porter Ranch in a multicultural household, she grew up appreciating tradition and the value of community. Her experience includes event planning and marketing, where she has worked with UCLA Athletics and local businesses to bring people together through creative projects like live events and social media campaigns.

Michelle also enjoys exploring the world through travel, trying new foods, and playing volleyball in her free time. Competing in Miss Chinatown is an exciting opportunity for her to honor her heritage, share her pride in Chinese culture, and build meaningful connections with others. She is eager to embrace this journey and make a positive impact in the community.

11 Eileen Lee 李嬡伶

Hello! My name is Eileen Lee and I was born and raised in Rowland Heights, California. I received my undergraduate degree at UC Riverside and my masters in accountancy degree at UC Irvine. I then went on to work at Deloitte and KPMG as a tax consultant where I prepared tax returns for corporations, high net worth individuals, and nonprofits. I am now currently working as an auditor within the federal government at the Department of Treasury where I conduct performance audits on the IRS to promote integrity and efficiency in our tax system to help protect taxpayers’ rights and alleviate taxpayer burden.

I am interested in becoming a Miss Los Angeles Chinatown because it is a chance to become a cultural ambassador for my community and help elevate present issues. It is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for personal growth and to further connect me to my Asian American heritage.

12 Diane Lac 駱偉雯

Diane Lac is a Los Angeles-based creative and filmmaker with a passion for storytelling and cultural representation. A graduate of the prestigious ArtCenter College of Design with a BFA in Film, Diane’s work spans directing, photography, and creative direction. Her accomplishments include a Nowness Asia feature for her film A SHOT IN THE FOOT and the Matthew Rolston Creative Direction Scholarship. Diane has collaborated with global brands like Versace, SKIMS, and Sephora while championing Asian voices in her personal projects.

With a deep connection to her Chinese and Vietnamese heritage, Diane is committed to uplifting her community and celebrating the rich diversity of Chinatown. She plans to use her platform at Miss Chinatown to amplify cultural narratives through art and film. Diane offers her creativity, professionalism, and dedication as she strives to honor tradition while inspiring a new generation of storytellers. 

13 Terena Phan 潘巧美

Terena Phan is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this year’s Miss LA Chinatown. She is excited to learn more about her Chinese heritage and culture through this experience. She hopes to passionately represent the LA Chinatown community, by bringing together the younger and older generations, to remind us all that we have so much to learn from one another. Terena has had a multi-disciplinary career— ranging from work in the legal field, to social media marketing, to consulting for tech start-ups. In her free time, she enjoys playing in a band, snorkeling, and making Youtube videos. Terena hopes to serve as an advocate and an agent of change in the community, exemplifying the honor and spirit of what it means to be Miss LA Chinatown.