Organizer: "Title Canceled... Behavior Inappropriate"
The winner of a Malaysian beauty pageant was stripped of her title for performing a 'scandalous dance' during a vacation in Thailand.
Singaporean media outlet 'AsiaOne' reported that Virunika Terinsif (24), the 2023 winner of the Unduk Ngadau Johor beauty pageant, was dethroned for dancing with male dancers while wearing revealing clothing in Thailand.
After the related video was released, the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), which organizes the pageant, issued a statement on the 8th (local time) saying, "We are canceling Terinsif's winning title," adding, "It is inappropriate for the pageant winner, who symbolizes the noble spirit and soul of the mythical legend 'Huminodun,' to behave in such a manner."
They continued, "The organizers learned that Terinsif went on a personal vacation to Thailand with her family. There was an outpouring of dissatisfaction and complaints about the video filmed at the vacation spot," adding, "Our association does not want to attract unnecessary attention because of this issue."
Terinsif also admitted through social media (SNS) that her behavior was "careless" and stated, "I will honorably and humbly relinquish my winning title."
She appealed, "Everyone makes mistakes, and I am not perfect. Whether to accept it or not is the viewer's choice, but please do not blame my family and friends. They are not involved in this matter."
Terinsif is a model active online on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. After winning the beauty pageant held in Borneo, Malaysia last year, she became a local celebrity.
The reason KDCA is sensitive about the personal life of the pageant winner appears to be due to its symbolism. The Unduk Ngadau Johor beauty pageant honors 'Huminodun,' a woman appearing in the folklore of the Dusun people, an indigenous ethnic group of Borneo Island.
Huminodun is depicted as a figure who sacrificed herself for her famine-stricken tribe. The pageant organizers' position is that the winner, who embodies such a figure's spirit, should not be embroiled in personal scandals. In fact, KDCA pointed out in their statement that "if Terinsif were an ordinary woman, the video would not have been an issue."
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