Top-student Hong Kong beauty queen Shi Yuqi refuses to be a pretty face; she resolutely pivots into finance and the hosting world, carving out a new career track

Miss Hong Kong 2025 first runner-up Shi Yuqi (Angela) graduated from the University of Cambridge in the UK with First-Class Honours. After returning to Hong Kong, she interned at Goldman Sachs, then joined Morgan Stanley as an equity options trader, accumulating five years of experience in finance. After competing in the Miss Hong Kong pageant, she signed with TVB and co-hosted Attack Your Way into University (《攻你上大學》) with second runner-up Yuan Wenjing. However, she admitted that since entering the pageant, she has felt confused about her future career direction.

Recently, Shi uploaded a video on social media publicly announcing her decision to “refuse to be a pretty face.” She said she will fully transition into becoming a host, financial content creator, and financial news presenter. She revealed plans to apply for a Master’s degree in Financial or Business Journalism, with target schools including top universities in Hong Kong, Tsinghua University in Beijing, and Columbia University in the United States. She has also proactively pitched herself to brands and PR agencies, hoping to secure more hosting opportunities.

In the video, she spoke candidly:

“I’ve hosted programs at TVB, done in-depth interviews, and I can crack jokes too. I may not be a glamorous rich girl on screen, nor the pure, tall type, but I take preparation seriously. I can work in Chinese, English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. If you need me, I’ll always show up on time!”

Shi admitted that over the past year she had struggled with whether to return to finance and continue as a trader, or fully commit to the entertainment industry.

“But I’ve finally figured it out,” she said.

She analyzed her own strengths:

“I’m not exceptionally stunning, but I have a mature image, a steady voice, and solid knowledge. I’m fluent in both Chinese and English. These qualities actually make me more suited to hosting and financial broadcasting than acting.”

She also pointed out a key reason behind her decision:

“Hosts won’t be replaced by AI—but traders might be.”
She believes that instead of clinging to a profession that could be replaced by technology at any time, it makes more sense to choose a long-term, stable career that highlights uniquely human qualities, such as hosting.

Regarding her future plans, Shi said she will apply for a Master’s degree in financial or business journalism:

“I met a top professor in the journalism field. After hearing my background, he strongly encouraged me to pursue this path and said I’m naturally suited for it.”

As for whether TVB is aware of her plans, she laughed:

“They probably don’t know yet! But I did ask my manager whether I could move to TVB’s financial channel. He said it depends on timing—but first, I need to study and strengthen my professional foundation.”

When asked why she is not considering acting, she answered honestly:

“Because I’m not pretty enough, and I gain weight very easily. To maintain an actor’s figure, you’d have to eat only 800 calories a day—that’s too painful for me. I don’t want to force myself. My current condition suits being a presenter, but acting just isn’t for me.”

She added that her family and friends fully support her:

“As long as I’m not doing anything illegal, they all think this path suits me very well.”