A controversial decision by judges on the night incorrectly awarded the wrong winner at the Miss Universe Fiji Gala Top Ten finalists Event held at the Pearl Resort, that led to heartbreak and tears for two contestants. 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 Roberts, this has happened to her twice now, after the pageant wrongly announced another winner Manshika Prasad. Roberts is a professional singer, commercial dancer, and property manager, and passionately advocates for empowering young girls and women in Fiji. She says her mission is to inspire the future generation, providing them with a platform to shine and reach their full potential.
It’s not the first time this has happened in the beauty pageant world, but could have been easily avoided, if the contracted organiser had followed correct procedures in the event. The 8 votes had led to a tie, meaning the licensee holder must then decide on the winner, not the contracted organiser, who wanted a Fiji Indian winner to leverage potential Global Business deals. 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. 7 judges plus one vote by licensee holder, left the two girls with 4 votes each, an internal review revealed, after concerns were raised by the local licensee representative on the night , sent to ensure transparency in voting calculations.
The contracted organiser 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. Despite concerns raised on the night by the local licensee representative that was in attendance, that the Licensee vote must be counted, and then consulted in the event of a tie, to then decide on the winner, the contracted organiser rushed to announce their favourite 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. The close competition however means that such an event will only get bigger and stronger in the years ahead, and we congratulate Nadine Roberts on being chosen as MUF 2024, and thank all the contestants for their contribution and efforts.
The Event and Its Significance
The Miss Universe brought together Fiji’s elite in hospitality, business, and fashion. Hosted at the luxurious The Pearl Resort & Spa, the event marked the country’s long-awaited return to the Miss Universe global stage, 43 years after its last participation.
The Aftermath and Looking Forward
The controversy surrounding the Miss Universe Fiji 2024 has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the event. However, it has also highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in beauty pageants. The incident serves as a reminder that even seemingly glamorous events are not immune to human error and the potential for controversy. Going forward, it is crucial for organizers to ensure that clear protocols are in place and that all votes are counted accurately, to prevent such situations from occurring again. While the controversy has raised concerns, it has also sparked a conversation about the need for greater transparency and fairness in the beauty pageant world. The Miss Universe Fiji 2024 competition may have been overshadowed by controversy, but the event itself showcased the beauty and talent of the contestants, and the spirit of Fijian hospitality. As Fiji prepares to send its representative to the Miss Universe finals in Mexico later this year, the country will be hoping that the controversy surrounding the selection process will not overshadow the achievements of the chosen representative.
