Michelle Situ 司徒美笑

2024 miss los angeles chinatown - 1st princess

Born and raised in Lincoln Heights, just steps away from Chinatown, Michelle’s deep connection to her community has shaped who she is today. After graduating from Lincoln High School, she earned her B.A. in Accounting at Cal State Fullerton. The diversity around her sparked a love for food, music, and inclusivity, and she enjoys everything from food adventures to concerts and comedy shows. Above all, Michelle treasures the sisterhood she’s built with her fellow court members, a bond that will last a lifetime.
Michelle joined MLAC to give back to the Chinese community that molded her. “Without this community, I wouldn’t understand my culture, tradition, or heritage. I wouldn’t be who I am today.”Standing alongside CCCLA and MLAC, Michelle is proud to preserve Chinatown’s rich heritage and ensure its legacy continues for future generations.

Angela Zhou

2020 Miss Los Angeles Chinatown - 1st princess

Heading into the year, my platform was primarily focused on mental health. In the Chinese American community, mental health often comes in the form of pressure and anxiety to look a certain way or to be high achieving in school. It is so important for us to tackle and breakdown the stigma and discrimination of mental health, which has caused so many in our community to suffer in silence. I hope to normalize discussions on mental health in our community so that those who are struggling are met with empathy and understanding.

2020 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in Chinese American history and US history. Over the next year, I want to use my platform to promote not only mental health, but also to focus on the most pressing issues facing our society. Which is why I plan to partner with multiple organizations that are moving forward the Black Lives Matter movement, pushing for institutional changes to end racism, and addressing mental health. This is the year in which we can really make drastic changes not only in our community but the community of others that are facing injustices.

I want to encourage us all to educate ourselves, work for change, and be an active part of the change because 2020 is proving to be the most important year of all.

Isabel Lam

2019 Miss los angeles chinatown - 1st princess

Colleen Cheung

2017 miss los angeles chinatown - 1st princess

Colleen Cheung is an aspiring Doctor of Psychology, who currently lives, works, and attends community college in East Los Angeles with plans of transferring to UCLA. She has represented her college twice by being the only student in the psychology department to present at UC Irvine's HTCC research conference and has even led the ELAC Feminist Majority Club to New Orleans for the National Organization for Women's annual conference. Colleen is also a registered volunteer on the therapy app, "7 Cups of Tea" to strengthen her empathetic communication skills. On her free time, Colleen passionately improves her skills as a musician, poet, and "amateur bodybuilder," as she calls it. Her mantra is, "It's not what you do; it's how you do it,"

2016 First Princess, Ying Michelle Liang

Originally from Shenzhen, China, Ying (Michelle) Liang is a current resident in Downtown Los Angeles. Ying is pursuing her Master's Degree in Communication Management at the University of Southern California, after attaining her Bachelor's degree in Marketing and a minor in Fashion Merchandising. She is actively involved in the Honor Society of Lambda Pi Eta. She served the Multicultural Business Student Association as the VP of Media and the Chinese Student Association as the Event Director. These leadership roles allowed her to take on challenges and make positive impact in the community.
With a huge passion in fashion, she interned at one of the fastest growing fashion brands, helped coordinate in Los Angeles Fashion Week, modeled for magazines etc. She aspires to start her own fashion brands in the near future. Ying also has a passion for volunteering. She went to Haifeng, China to help build a library and fundraise for the local students. She has been a tutor in the Boys and Girls Club for 4 years. In her free time, Ying also enjoys cooking, traveling, dancing, and spending time with her loved ones.

Erika Liu was born in El Salvador, Central America and immigrated to California with her family when she was five years old. Her Chinese heritage originates from Guangzhou, China. Though her Cantonese was her first language, by the age of six, Erika also became fluent in Spanish and English and has since been heavily influenced by all three cultures.

As the eldest of four siblings, Erika fell in love with children at a young age and has always aspired to become a teacher. She graduated from California State of Fullerton in 2012 with a Bachelor's in Child Development and continued on to earn her Multiple Subject Credentials the following year.

Growing up, Erika dreamed of becoming Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Queen. She hopes to use her diverse background and degree in education to help spread awareness to others about Chinese culture and would be honored to represent the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Erika would love to give a big thank you to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, her sponsor, Customized Tour Specialist, as well as her family and friends. Happy Chinese New Years!

Everlyn Chen was born in Whittier, California. Raised in Fullerton by her traditional Chinese grandparents and mother, she was touched by the sacrifices they made in order for her and her older sister to pursue their dreams. Driven by her grandparents' stories and love of cinema, Everlyn graduated from Chapman University's prestigious film school, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, cum laude with a degree in Screenwriting. During her time there she achieved both the Founder's Scholarship and selection for the Filmaker-in-Residence program, where she was mentored by producer, Jonathan Sanger (Vanilla Sky, 2001; The Elephant Man, 1980). In the winter of 2012, Everlyn began volunteering for the non-profit organization CoachArt, affording her the humbling experience of altruism and the honor of being a positive influence in a child's life. Inspired by that opportunity, Everlyn was encouraged to participate in the Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Pageant as a way to continue her involvement in the Chinese community while gaining greater insight on her heritage.

Kellye Ng was raised in the city of Alhambra. She graduated Cum Laude from California State University Fullerton this past May, with a double major in Criminal Justice and American Studies, and a minor in Political Science. At CSUF, she held leadership positions in the Pre-Law Society and Criminal Justice Honor Society. As a leader in these organizations, she coordinated community services to benefit foster youth and cancer research. Kellye also participated in her school's Moot Court team, leading her team to excel in the national competition in January 2012. Now, Kellye strives to become an attorney specializing in criminal law and plans to attend law this year. She has demonstrated her commitment to the community by volunteering as a Creative Writing and Journalism teacher to at-risk youth. When she is not volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her family, salsa dancing, ice skating, modeling, and exploring the unique cultural neighborhoods within Los Angeles.

Eileen Kwan

2012 miss los angeles chinatown - 1st princess & miss friendship

Eileen Kwan completed her Master's degree in Strategic Communication Management from USC after attaining her Bachelor's degree in Media Studies from UC Irvine. She believes that communication commands the ability to transform and empower communities throughout the world. Following her mission, Eileen designed and taught her own university-accredited course, Careers in Broadcasting while still a student. Soon after, she achieved global reach for her vision as a program director in China for a non-profit migrant farmers' children. Today, Eileen strives to redefine the Chinese American identity in media as an acclaimed host for several televised programs, champion of KAZN's Pop Star competition, senior advisor to the International Association of Business Communicators, and national anthem singer at her high school and college graduations. She continues to expand her repertoire as media professional with companies such as Warner Brothers Studios and MTV Networks. Eileen would like to thank her sponsor WY International Inc. and the LACCC for their unwavering guidance and support. 

Janice Jann

2010 Miss los angeles chinatown - 1st princess

I can’t believe it’s already been half a year since I was crowned 2010 Miss LA Chinatown First Princess. Since coronation night, my life has been packed with events and functions, charity dinners and special appearances. Though every function I have attended has been eye-opening and special to my heart, a few stick out. Our summer trip to China would definitely have to count as being the highlight of my reign thus far. Being able to see the metropolitan cities like Beijing and Shanghai but also living the simple life in Deng Feng has opened my eyes to how colorful, cultured, and expansive my ancestors’ home land is.

Janice was very proud to be traveling alongside the other girls and being able to represent my Chinese ethnicity alongside my US nationality. To be able to learn about China’s history and reflect on just how far the country has come and how far it will continue to go.

But besides the trip, I’ve also enjoyed attending all the local community events we have had around the Los Angeles area. Being able to take part in the community and just seeing how much Asian Americans support each other in causes as diverse as going from The American Cancer Society Run/Walk to the Chinese American Museum Lantern Festival has really made me proud of being Chinese American and dispelling any notions that we are an apathetic bunch. If only more people could see how many individuals in the community really do care about each other and about causes near and dear to our hearts! I remember attending the celebration banquet of one group, China Cares. This group was filled with families who have adopted children from China. Getting to spend time with the little girls all who were starry-eyed at these tall ladies in tiaras because after all, what little girl didn’t want to be a princess growing up. This really made me feel like my role as a goodwill ambassador to the Chinese American community was shining through. I hope that we will be just as impactful on the events coming up for the rest of the year!