SHOT BY ADELE CHAN ON THE LEICA M EV1.
Cool and bubbly with an edgy style — Annika Xue Sager is not the type of cookie-cutter queen you would expect.
Born to a Singaporean Chinese mother and a German father, Annika has had a global type of childhood; growing up in places like Tokyo, Dubai and Europe, where she ultimately earned a Master’s in Luxury and Fashion Marketing.
Aside from her global experiences, what would probably set Annika apart from the other queens is her passion for bikes. And no, we’re not talking bicycles.
“My interest in bikes started quite early,” said Annika, “Every summer, my family would visit the island of Sylt in Germany, where they had little BMX bikes for children to ride and I absolutely loved it.”
Even though she is aware that the biking world is “quite male-dominated”, Annika has found that the community itself is one that is “very tight-knit and supportive”, and the only negative feedback she has gotten about her interest were from those outside the community who did not know her personally.
“They would say things like ‘it’s not very ladylike’ or it ‘doesn’t suit a beauty queen’,” she said, “But honestly, that’s exactly why I love it because riding makes me happy, and it’s part of what makes me unique.”
In addition to her penchant for riding bikes, Annika also has a passion for sustainable fashion. Having grown up as a bit of a tomboy, she was no stranger to her brother’s hand-me-downs which fuelled her sense of practicality and individuality to giving clothing pieces a second life.
While many would say that they support sustainable fashion, Annika doesn’t just talk the talk but also walk the walk, especially when she came walked in to the photography studio in second-hand clothes.
“I’m a huge believer in thrifting, repurposing and recycling. This is my mom’s top from when she was in her 20s, and this is thrifted Levi’s.”
She added, “I know thrifting is a trend but it really is an accessible way to be more sustainable in your everyday choices.”
Annika is set to compete on the international stage in Thailand on 21 November and we simply can’t wait to see how this bold and unconventional queen will do Singapore proud.
SHOT BY ADELE CHAN ON THE LEICA M EV1.
Hi Annika! Congratulations on winning Miss Universe Singapore. It’s been about more than two weeks since you were crowned. What have you been up to?
Annika: “I’ve been up to many things… many shoots, many interviews including pageant media interviews, dental appointments, personal fitness training, and catwalk training where we practiced walking with my national costume, the evening gown and the swimsuit.
Progress is going well but it is quite tiring as it is almost like a workout on its own, especially when you need to walk for four hours with heels while doing turns. I was super sweaty by the end of it!”
Let’s go back to the day of the finals — What were some of the thoughts you had when it came down to you and Inez for the crown?
A: “Well, throughout the entire competition, I went in with the mindset of ‘I want to win. I will win.’, just to manifest it. That’s how I go through everything. I just assume the best, hope for the best, and luckily, it came true for me.
But, it was a very wholesome moment with Inez, we even shared a laugh before they announced the winner because when the host asked who it was going to be, someone shouted ‘Alexis’ (laughs).”
What were some of the toughest challenges you faced in your journey to being crowned?
A: “I think just being apart from my family because my dad and my mom live in the Netherlands and my brother lives in Berlin, Germany. While I’m from Singapore, I don’t have a Singaporean family because my mom grew up in a foster home. So I moved back here to Singapore on my own and with the time difference, it can be a bit challenging sometimes keeping in contact with them.”
Prior to Miss Universe Singapore 2025, have you participated in any other pageants?
A: “Yeah, I participated in Miss Universe Singapore in 2019 where I got third place and also won the title of Global Asian Model. For that, I got to represent Singapore and fly to Manila to compete there. I did New Paper, New Face, in 2016, when I was 16 too.”
SHOT BY ADELE CHAN ON THE LEICA M EV1.
How would you say those experiences helped shape you?
A: “I think the mindset of learning how to be independent and to provide for yourself. There’s many other girls from different countries competing and you need to take care of yourself and be prepared for the unexpected, and just go with the flow. That’s kind of what I live by — to just accept whatever happens.”
Participating in beauty pageants is still a topic that has divided opinions. What are some perceptions that you hope to change?
A: “Just the term of it being a beauty pageant; I think that’s just what throws people off and that’s what threw me off when I first joined because I’ve gone through a whole education with my bachelors, my scholarship, and my masters.
I had to explain to my family and friends that I am actually using my education and my knowledge in this beauty pageant. I think beauty is the first part that people see but there’s actually more to that when you get the chance to talk about what matters to you.”
What are some things that you advocate for?
A: “It’s 2 things. One of them is bringing attention to inclusivity within Singapore and globally, and I do this by working with APSN Centre for Adults, which is a centre for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities. The other is sustainable fashion and consumption because I’m a huge believer in thrifting, repurposing, and recycling.”
You have a Master’s in Fashion Marketing so how would you market yourself as a homegrown brand to the international market?
A: “I always say that what makes me stand out in these competitions is that I redefine the question of what does the typical Singaporean look like. I’m mixed, which I feel like is very on brand for Singapore because of all our different races and cultures. So, I bring that and my multicultural upbringing.
Having lived in places like Dubai, Tokyo, The Hague in the Netherlands, Barcelona and Germany, I got the chance to really hear about different perspectives around the world which really allowed me to connect and bring attention to Singapore.”
SHOT BY ADELE CHAN ON THE LEICA M EV1.
Compared to previous winners, one of the things that stood out about you is your love for riding bikes. What got you interested?
A: “My interest in bike started quite early. Every summer, my family would visit the island of Sylt in Germany, where they had little BMX bikes for children to ride, and I absolutely loved it. Even though back then it was mostly boys riding, I still felt right at home because I grew up with an older brother and always tagged along in whatever he was doing.
I was a bit of a tomboy growing up, wearing my brother’s hand-me-downs (some of which I still have today!) to skateboard, play basketball and football, even if I wasn’t that good at it.
The interest for bikes was also largely inspired by my dad, who has both a pilot’s licence and a motorcycle licence (in addition to a driving license), and I used to pillion with him all the time. When I got my own bike license in 2018, my ride was a Vespa that I shared with him.”
What was your family’s reaction when they found out about your interest?
A: “They were not surprised at all. I’ve been talking about getting my own bike for as long as I can remember so they’ve always been supportive. I’ve even pillioned my mum, dad, and brother!”
Bikes are generally perceived as a male-dominated form of transport, are there any instances where you’ve had to break that stereotype?
A: “While it’s true that the biking world is quite male-dominated, I’ve found the community to be very tight-knit and supportive, no matter your gender or the size of your bike. The only negativity I’ve experienced came from people who didn’t know me personally with comments like ‘it’s not very ladylike’ or ‘it doesn’t suit a beauty queen’.
Honestly, that’s exactly why I love it. Riding makes me happy and it’s part of what makes me unique. I’ve learned to embrace that and ride proudly.”
SHOT BY ADELE CHAN ON THE LEICA M EV1.
Back to your preparation for Miss Universe 2025 — is there anything that you’re anxious or worried about?
A: “Packing (laughs). The actual putting of clothes into my suitcase and me being alone when I’m there. I have a lovely team here but I have to be alone when I’m there.”
Are there any tips or tricks that past winners have shared with you?
A: “Yes, most of them just say stock up on plasters cause we have to be in heels every day for everything.”
What are some initiatives or plans that you’re hoping to kickstart?
A: “So, at the APSN Centre for Adults, there is also a pop-up, an open wardrobe from a company called Cloop, and they basically do what I advocate about.
They focus on upcycling and repurposing the circular economy of fashion, and they host a bunch of these swap events. I’m hoping to work together with them to bring more attention to sustainable fashion through workshops for things like styling, where we can show people how to repurpose stuff that they might just throw away.”
Lastly, what advice would you give to the next batch of hopefuls?
A: “I think the minute you join, just go into it like you’re gonna win it. When I was talking with the other finalists, we were talking about what we would have done differently if we joined again and some of them were saying that they would have gone all out, because it’s not very often that you will get the chance to be a finalist.
So, wear that dress that you don’t get to wear a lot. Wear those heels that are a bit scary for you, because, when are you ever gonna get the chance to be in high heels again?”
