Controversy Unfolds at Fiji’s Pearl Resort & Spa
Overlooking the clear waters of the South Pacific, a storm of controversy was brewing at Fiji’s Pearl Resort & Spa. The stage was set, and the spotlight fell on 24-year-old MBA student Manshika Prasad, crowned Miss Fiji. However, the celebrations were short-lived as events soon took an unexpected turn.
Just days after her crowning, Prasad was caught off guard when Miss Universe Fiji (MUF) issued a press release alleging a “serious breach of principles.” The statement promised “revised results” shortly. Hours later, Prasad was informed she would not be representing Fiji at the Miss Universe competition in Mexico. Instead, runner-up Nadine Roberts, a 30-year-old model from Sydney with Fijian heritage, was announced as her replacement.
Allegations and accusations
The press release accused the event’s management of rigging the vote to favor a “Fiji Indian” contestant for financial gains. A distraught Prasad took to social media to announce a hiatus, hinting that “there was so much the public did not know about.”
In contrast, Roberts expressed her support on Instagram, thanking Miss Universe Fiji for its “swift action.”
Judges speak out
Melissa White, one of the seven judges, voiced her disbelief. “Everything had been running so smoothly,” she remarked. Jennifer Chan, another judge and US-based TV host, was adamant that Prasad was the standout contestant. “Not only based on what she presented on stage but also how she interacted with the other girls,” Chan emphasized. The judges’ unanimous decision declared Prasad the winner, with four out of seven votes.
A shadow of doubt
Despite the official crowning, the atmosphere was tense. Chan recalls Nadine Roberts’ apparent displeasure. “I remember going to bed thinking, how could someone feel so entitled to win?” she wondered.
The following day, Prasad joined the judges on a celebratory boat trip. However, Riri Febriani, a judge and representative of Lux Projects, was conspicuously absent. White noted, “She just said she had lots of work to do and needed to talk to her boss.”
White discovered that Febriani was in contact with a man named “Jamie.” Lux Projects, the company that secured the Miss Universe license for Fiji, wasn’t pleased with the voting outcome. Their press release claimed they should have had a vote, which would have resulted in a tie, thus making Roberts the winner. Chan questioned this, stating, “Never at any point were we told about an eighth judge.”
The Revelation
White’s investigation revealed that Lux Projects was associated with Australian businessman Jamie McIntyre, who is married to Nadine Roberts. Mr. McIntyre has a controversial past, including a decade-long business ban in Australia.
Despite the allegations and controversies, Prasad has been reinstated as Miss Fiji 2024. “What an incredible journey this has been,” she wrote on Instagram. The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has not commented, but it’s understood they worked diligently to reinstate Ms. Prasad. Ms. White expressed her pride, stating, “She’s a brilliant, compassionate, and beautiful young woman, who didn’t deserve this.”
As Prasad basks in her victory, the saga serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes and intense drama often associated with beauty pageants.