The Miss Universe Fiji 2024 pageant, meant to mark Fiji’s return to the global stage after four decades, has been overshadowed by a major controversy involving a mishandling of the crowning ceremony. Originally, Manshika Prasad was declared the winner at the gala event held in Pacific Harbour. However, it was later revealed that Nadine Roberts, who was named the runner-up, was the actual winner due to an error in the vote-counting process by the event’s contracted organiser.
The Unfolding Drama
The controversy began during the announcement of the top ten finalists. According to Miss Universe Fiji, there was a tie between Prasad and Roberts after eight votes were cast. As reported by RNZ and PhilSTAR Life, the rules state that the licensee holder's vote should have been the deciding factor in such a case. However, the contracted organiser, allegedly motivated by a preference for a specific outcome, failed to count this critical vote. As a result, Prasad was mistakenly announced as the winner, while Roberts was placed second—a mistake that has reportedly happened to her twice now.
Allegations of Bias and Rigging
Miss Universe Fiji has accused the contracted organiser of manipulating the results to ensure a Fiji Indian winner, reportedly to leverage potential global business deals. The organisers argue that this decision was not only a breach of pageant rules but also an unfair attempt to alter the outcome based on personal or business preferences. The official statement from Miss Universe Fiji highlighted a "rushed announcement and error," which they argue could have been avoided if the correct procedures had been followed. Local licensee representatives raised concerns on the night of the event, questioning the validity of the result and demanding an internal review.
The contracted organiser, Grant Dwyer, defended the decision, claiming that Prasad was judged fairly and that her win was legitimate. Dwyer maintained that all judges were independent and that Prasad’s victory was valid based on the majority of votes. This contradictory stance has only added to the confusion and public outrage, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of what transpired during the judging process.
Organisational Fallout
In response to the mounting criticism and allegations of bias, Miss Universe Fiji has terminated its contract with the event’s organiser. The decision to part ways highlights the severity of the controversy and the desire of Miss Universe Fiji to maintain the integrity of the pageant. Roberts, a professional singer and dancer, will now represent Fiji at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this year. She expressed her commitment to using this platform to empower young women in Fiji, emphasising the need for fairness and transparency in all competitive fields.
Meanwhile, Prasad's supporters have continued to voice their dissatisfaction with the decision to overturn her win. They argue that the original judges' decision should stand and that the process has been unfairly influenced post-event. This ongoing dispute has drawn attention to the pageant world’s vulnerabilities and the need for stricter oversight to prevent such controversies in the future.
Broader Implications for Beauty Pageants
The Miss Universe Fiji controversy is not an isolated incident but rather the latest in a series of similar controversies in the beauty pageant world. In 2015, the Miss Universe pageant faced a similar situation when host Steve Harvey mistakenly announced the wrong winner, leading to international backlash. These recurring issues point to systemic problems in how results are managed and communicated in pageants and call for more rigorous protocols to ensure fairness and transparency.
As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how Miss Universe Fiji will rebuild its reputation and address the concerns of both contestants and fans. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity in any competitive event and the potential fallout when this is compromised. For now, the pageant community will watch closely as Fiji's representative prepares to compete on the global stage, hoping that this controversy does not overshadow her journey or potential achievements.
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