A Beauty Pageant Turns Ugly: The Alleged Plot to Steal a Queen’s Crown
In a dramatic turn of events, the Miss Fiji pageant, held at the picturesque Pearl Resort & Spa in Fiji, has become embroiled in controversy and scandal. The pageant, which initially celebrated the crowning of 24-year-old MBA student Manshika Prasad as Miss Fiji, has since been marred by allegations of vote rigging and manipulation.
A Sudden Twist
The excitement of the pageant’s culmination was short-lived. Just two days after her win, Ms. Prasad was informed that she would not be representing Fiji at the Miss Universe competition. Instead, runner-up Nadine Roberts, a 30-year-old model from Sydney, was set to take her place. The official explanation from Miss Universe Fiji (MUF) cited a “serious breach of principles” and alleged that Ms. Prasad’s victory resulted from a rigged vote designed to favor a “Fiji Indian” contestant, supposedly for financial gain.
A visibly distraught Ms. Prasad announced a break from social media, hinting at undisclosed issues surrounding her dethronement. Meanwhile, Ms. Roberts, now the new Miss Fiji, expressed gratitude to MUF for its “swift action,” though the sentiment did little to quell the growing suspicion and dissatisfaction among those involved in the pageant.
Judges' Concerns
The decision to strip Ms. Prasad of her title was met with confusion and suspicion from the judges. Melissa White, one of the seven judges and a marine biologist from New Zealand, had praised Ms. Prasad's performance and was confident in her selection. Jennifer Chan, another judge and US-based beauty expert, described Ms. Prasad as the standout candidate, noting her strong stage presence and interaction with other contestants.
However, the atmosphere grew tense when one judge, Riri Febriani, who represented Lux Projects—the company that bought the Miss Universe licence for Fiji—was notably absent from a celebratory boat trip with the judges. Ms. Febriani had cited work obligations, but her frequent communications with a man named “Jamie” raised red flags among the judges.
A Hidden Agenda
Further investigation revealed that Lux Projects was not pleased with the pageant's outcome. The company's press release suggested that they were entitled to a vote, which had not been counted. This vote, they claimed, would have tied the results, with the licensee having the decisive vote, thus favoring Ms. Roberts. The alleged lack of transparency and the sudden change in results led to accusations of corruption.
The situation was further complicated by revelations about Jamie McIntyre, an Australian businessman associated with Lux Projects. McIntyre, married to Ms. Roberts, had been banned from doing business in Australia due to a failed property investment scheme. His involvement and connections raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and manipulation.
Ongoing Controversy
The scandal surrounding the Miss Fiji pageant underscores the complexities and potential pitfalls of beauty pageant organizations, where financial interests and personal connections can sometimes overshadow fairness and integrity. As the controversy continues to unfold, the beauty pageant community and the public are left grappling with the implications of these allegations and the future of the Miss Fiji title.
The situation remains fluid, and many are awaiting further developments as the truth behind the scandal slowly emerges.