Singaporean beauty queen Ris Low has been named as one of Asia's 25 most influential people by Cable News Network (CNN).
According to a Shin Min report, the international news network pointed out that while there were many big events in 2009, there were also many "unusual" and very influential people.
In CNN's list of 25 most influential people, the people who have made the list range from awe-inspiring heroes to scandal shockers.
Amongst them is 19-year-old Ris Low who coined the infamous word "Boomz".
CNN said Ris Low is singularly responsible for giving Singapore its catchphrase of the year, and named her "Catchphrase queen".
Ris first made headlines in August this year for her poor command of English during an interview with RazorTV. Subsequently, it was revealed that she was convicted of credit card fraud and sentenced to two year's probation. Then, she told the Straits Times that she suffered from bipolar disorder and eventually stepped down as Miss Singapore World in September.
Even after all the bad publicity, "Boomz" had become a local buzzword which even marketeers have cashed in on it for use of promotion, reported Shin Min. The New Paper also reported recently that New Urban Male, a local casual wear store, created a series of Boomz T-shirts a month into Ris' controversies and they continued to sell well even after two months when the uproar had died down.
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