When the 2025 Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Queen was announced, it wasn’t just Nina Koh who felt the weight of the moment — it was as if the San Marino community was raising the crown atop her head, just as it had collectively supported her leading up to the pageant.
Her father spent hours practicing public speaking with his daughter, and her mother helped pick out the right dresses and a makeup artist for the occasion. Her mom also hand-glued gems onto Koh's cocktail dress, which was donated by a family friend. Another supporter spent two afternoons sewing hundreds of beads onto an evening gown, with many others contributing their time and effort behind the scenes.
Their support, however, started long before the competition, spanning her entire life. Koh, who was born and raised in San Marino, has always had her community in her corner. It was a space that fostered her growth in all sectors of life.
On the night of the pageant, more than 70 San Marino community members sat in the audience, including Koh’s 87-year-old grandmother, Jane, and 90-year-old great aunt, Lily Lee Chen, the first female Chinese American mayor in U.S. history. All were rooting for Koh, who was among 13 contestants vying for the top title of queen.
As five of the women were named to the court, there was an instance when the outcome seemed uncertain. The anticipation was palpable in the room. Whispers of encouragement were exchanged in the meantime, with hands locked together across the San Marino crowd as it awaited the final results.
Koh was finally called, winning the title. Happy tears were shed and enthusiastic cheers rang out.
“Wow, I felt so loved,” Koh said, reflecting on the journey to the crown, with the San Marino community standing behind her.
“I was really nervous,” she recalled. “I'm sure the audience saw it in my face, but then they called my name and I think I almost started crying on stage. There was confetti and so many people were cheering. It just felt unreal. I walked up and so many things happened at once.”
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