First Competition in 43 Years Since 1981
Controversy Over Fiji's 'Miss Universe' Winner Reversal
Real Estate Tycoon Organizer Cited Behind the Controversy
In the island nation of Fiji in the South Pacific, an unprecedented reversal occurred in the Miss Universe pageant held for the first time in 43 years. Initially, a woman in her 20s studying at a business graduate school was crowned Miss Fiji, but for unclear reasons, the title was given to the runner-up, a model in her 30s. It was later claimed that this model in her 30s is the wife of the head of a real estate company closely connected to the event organizers.
On the 7th (local time), BBC and local Fijian media reported that the winner crowned Miss Universe Fiji on the 30th of last month had her title revoked just two days after receiving the crown. The organizers initially promoted the runner-up to winner two days after the event, citing procedural issues. However, the new winner was revealed to be the wife of the head of a real estate company affiliated with the organizers, sparking a scandal. Ultimately, the original winner was reinstated after five days.
Mansika Prasad (right), originally selected as Miss Universe Fiji, and Nadine Roberts, who was reselected as the winner. [Photo by Instagram]
At the Miss Fiji (Miss Universe Fiji) pageant held on the 30th of last month, Mansika Prasad (24), a business graduate student, was crowned. However, two days later, the organizers issued a statement citing serious violations of principles and announced they would release a "corrected result." They then notified that Nadine Roberts (30), the runner-up, would participate in the Miss Universe World pageant to be held in Mexico this November instead of Prasad. Roberts, a 30-year-old model and real estate developer, is originally from Sydney, Australia, with a Fijian mother.
The organizers claimed that the winner selection vote was manipulated, and Prasad announced a hiatus on Instagram, saying, "There is so much the public does not know." Meanwhile, Roberts expressed gratitude for the organizers' "swift action." However, judges later protested, raising various suspicions. One judge, Jennifer Chan, emphasized that considering stage presence and communication with other contestants, Prasad was the "definite winner." She claimed that fellow judges agreed and that Prasad won with 4 out of 7 votes.
On the other hand, the organizers explained that they had forgotten that the real estate company sponsoring the event, Lux Project, also had voting rights, and that Lux Project cast its vote for Roberts, resulting in a 4-4 tie. In this case, the organizers, who held the casting vote authority to decide the winner, sided with Roberts, thus correcting the winner to Roberts.
The Miss Fiji event, which costs millions of dollars to operate, had not been held for years due to the lack of proper sponsors, but with funding from Lux Project, the pageant was held for the first time in 43 years since 1981. However, suspicions arose that Roberts’ side exerted undue influence. After various controversies, Prasad was ultimately reselected as Miss Universe Fiji. On the 8th, Prasad posted on her Instagram, saying, "It has been an incredible journey. I am the real Miss Universe Fiji 2024."
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