Name: Annika Xue Sager
Age: 25
Occupation: Miss Universe Singapore 2025, Master’s student in luxury & fashion marketing, fitness instructor and model
Status: Single
Food: I don’t follow any strict diet, but I’m very mindful of how I nourish my body. I try to eat intuitively based on how I feel or if I’ve done a lot of cardio, or am prepping to do a lot of cardio. I focus on whole, balanced meals with lots of vegetables, lean proteins and healthy carbs. I love fresh, home-cooked food and I see food as fuel.
If I dine at food courts, my go-to meal is chicken rice with breast meat. I’ve learned that eating well isn’t about restriction; it’s about respect. I eat to feel strong, energised and happy.
Exercise: Fitness is such a big part of my life. I used to work as a spin instructor and am currently training to be a boxing instructor at Sugar Boxing, so my weekly routine is a mix of high-intensity cardio, strength training and recovery. I also run regularly!
I trained for and completed the Barcelona Marathon this year, which took months of disciplined preparation. I make sure to balance it all with stretching, mobility work and rest days so my body can recover properly. I try to run at least once a month when I’m not training for races, and I currently have personal training sessions at Fitluc twice a week.
Were you active in your younger days?
I always loved being active. I played tennis from the age of six and had weekly classes. The competitive spirit came later, once I started fitness instructing, I realised how much I enjoy pushing my limits and helping others discover that same strength within themselves. I also enjoyed seeing measurable results in, eg. my race times or PRs.
How did your fitness regime evolve as you grew older?
As I got older, fitness became a lifestyle, not just an activity. I got into spin, boxing and long-distance running, and discovered how empowering it feels to challenge yourself physically and mentally. I also developed a deep interest in personal growth, mindset and self-expression through modelling and pageantry.
You took part in Miss Universe Singapore previously.
I first took part in Miss Universe Singapore when I was 19 and placed third. At that time, I was still learning who I was. I wanted to represent Singapore but I didn’t have the confidence, composure or sense of mission I have now.
Coming back this year was about purpose. I wanted to show growth, both personally and academically through my bachelor’s in hospitality administration/management and master’s in luxury & fashion marketing degrees, and to use this platform to inspire others to embrace their authentic selves. I also wanted to bring awareness to sustainable fashion and consumption, as well as inclusivity through my work with APSN Centre for Adults.
How did you feel going into the competition this year?
This year felt completely different. I was grounded in who I am and why I was there. My preparation was holistic: physical training, communication, mindset and learning to stay authentic in every situation. I focused less on perfection and more on presence, which made me more confident and calm throughout the competition.
How did you feel when you won the title of Miss Universe Singapore 2025?
It was surreal; a mix of pride, gratitude and humility. I felt a deep sense of responsibility because the title isn’t just about beauty; it’s about service, advocacy and being a role model. Winning was confirmation that when you stay authentic and put in the work, everything aligns at the right time. I was also extremely proud to have won the subsidiary title of Miss Body Beautiful.
How important is fitness to you?
Fitness is essential to who I am. It’s not just about physical strength, it’s about resilience, discipline and self-respect. For me, fitness is a form of self-care and empowerment. Every time I train, I’m reminded of what my body is capable of and how powerful the mind-body connection is.
You ran the Barcelona Marathon this year.
Running the Barcelona Marathon was a personal challenge. I’d always wanted to test my limits and see how far I could go. I started running in November/December 2024, and the race was in March 2025. I finished in a little over four hours, and it was one of the toughest yet most fulfilling experiences of my life. I would definitely do it again and aim for a sub-four-hour finish. There’s nothing like the feeling of crossing the finish line knowing you gave everything you had.
What was going through your mind during the marathon?
There were moments when I questioned why I signed up, especially around the 35km mark when my legs started to feel heavy and I was definitely hitting the wall. But I kept reminding myself of my “why”, that I was doing this to prove to myself that discipline and mindset can push you further than you ever thought possible. Breaking it down kilometre by kilometre and focusing on gratitude helped me get through the pain.
People often say training for a marathon is harder than racing one.
That’s absolutely true. The hardest part wasn’t race day. It was the months before, waking up early to run when I didn’t feel like it; balancing work, school and training. It taught me discipline, patience and consistency. I learned that progress isn’t about motivation; it’s about showing up even when it’s hard.
When you were younger, did you experience any incidents that made you feel insecure about yourself?
Yes, definitely. Being of mixed heritage, with a Singaporean Chinese mum and a German dad, I often felt out of place. When I lived overseas, I struggled with questions of identity and belonging. It took time to realise that being different is my strength, not my weakness.
In Germany I wasn’t seen as German enough, and in Singapore I wasn’t seen as Singaporean enough. I use this incredible opportunity of being Miss Universe Singapore to break down these stereotypes of what one is supposed to look like.
Have you gone through any adversities in life that made you change how you viewed life?
I’ve faced setbacks. One big one was when I didn’t get accepted into the Bachelor’s programme I wanted. It forced me to step back, work in the hospitality industry and gain real-world experience. That taught me humility, discipline and emotional intelligence.
Living abroad alone also challenged me to be independent and self-reliant. Every adversity has shaped my resilience and empathy. I applied again after taking a year to work five jobs, and eventually got in, graduating with honours four years later and earning a scholarship for my masters.
When did you feel the least confident about yourself?
I used to be quite shy when I was 14 or 15. I had just gone through my first heartbreak and I was never very outgoing to begin with. I joined The New Paper New Face shortly after, which really pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me feel more comfortable being on stage. That was my first real experience performing publicly.
Over time, through self-reflection and growth, I learned to embrace my authentic voice. True confidence, I realised, comes from self-acceptance, not validation.
Did you ever struggle with your body?
I wouldn’t say I struggled deeply, but like many women, I’ve had moments of self-criticism. As a fitness instructor, there’s pressure to look a certain way. Over time, I learned to shift my mindset, my body isn’t meant to be perfect; it’s meant to be powerful.
Are you satisfied with your body now?
Yes, I am. My body is a reflection of hard work, balance and care. Winning Miss Body Beautiful was meaningful because it symbolised not just aesthetics, but the respect and love I’ve built for myself. I’m proud of my body, not because it fits an ideal, but because it allows me to live fully, move freely and inspire others to do the same. I feel healthy and strong!
