Miss Universe Fiji crowns the wrong winner, claims contracted organizer was biased
It's 2015 all over again.
Miss Universe Fiji has announced Nadine Roberts as its true winner after a contracted organizer's mistake led to the wrong contestant being crowned.
In a statement, the Miss Universe Fiji 2024 said a "controversial decision" by judges on the night "incorrectly awarded" the wrong winner at the Gala Top Ten finalists’ event last Friday.
Initially, the crown was given to 24-year-old Manshika Prasad, while Nadine was runner-up.
The statement read: "The actual winner of the top 10 was Nadine Roberts, but she was announced as the Runner Up on the night, after a rushed announcement and error. Unfortunately for Miss Roberts, this has happened to her twice now, after the pageant wrongly announced another winner Manshika Prasad."
"It’s not the first time this has happened in the beauty pageant world, but could have been easily avoided if the contracted organizer had followed correct procedures in the event," it said.
The organization accused the contracted organizer of rigging the pageant. According to them, eight votes were cast, resulting in a tie between the two contestants.
Despite the tie, the organizer allegedly failed to count the licensee's deciding vote, which would have determined the winner.
MUF also claimed the organizer wanted a Fiji Indian winner for business opportunities.
"A failure to count the licensee vote, to ensure only the Fiji Indian contestant would win by the judges, against a local Fiji non-Indian contestant winning," it continued.
Local licensee representatives raised concerns about the irregularities, prompting an internal review.
"The contracted organizer failed to count the licensee vote, and failed to then consult in the event of a tie, who has the determining vote to decide who is best to represent MUF at the finals in Mexico, in November later this year," MUF said.
It alleged that the organizer "rushed to announce their favorite candidate as the winner on the night, creating unnecessary confusion and controversy."
"The MUF licensee representative said it’s upsetting when such errors occur that taint what has been a very successful event, and with amazing contestants and a top ten that Fiji can be proud of," MUF continued.
The statement ended by congratulating Nadine and thanking all contestants for their contributions and efforts.
In 2015, Miss Universe host Steve Harvey wrongfully named Ariadna Gutierrez the winner of the 2015 pageant in Las Vegas. Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines was the actual winner.
Nadine, who is a professional singer, commercial dancer, and property manager, said in her speech that her mission is to empower the future of Fiji by supporting and inspiring young girls and women.
"I passionately advocate for empowering young girls and women in Fiji. My mission is to inspire the future generation, providing them with a platform to shine and reach their full potential," she said.
Nadine will be representing Fiji in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in Mexico. Meanwhile, the Philippines' Chelsea Manalo is vying for the country's fifth Miss Universe crown.