A beauty pageant turns ugly: The alleged plot to steal a queen’s crown

A beauty pageant in Fiji has turned into a major controversy, leaving many people shocked and confused. Manshika Prasad, a 24-year-old MBA student, was crowned Miss Fiji, but just two days later, she was informed that her title had been revoked. Instead, Nadine Roberts, the runner-up, would now represent Fiji in the upcoming Miss Universe competition. This unexpected twist has raised numerous questions and sparked a heated debate about the fairness of the pageant. The organization behind the event, Miss Universe Fiji (MUF), released a statement claiming that a 'serious breach of principles' had occurred during the voting process. They stated that the results would be revised and that Manshika's victory was the result of a rigged vote that favored her due to her ethnicity, which was believed to bring financial benefits to the event's manager. Manshika expressed her disappointment and mentioned that there was much more to the story than what the public knew. Meanwhile, Nadine, the new titleholder, took to social media to express her support for Manshika, stating that everyone involved was affected by the situation. Many participants and observers of the pageant were left unsatisfied with the outcome, feeling that there were too many inconsistencies in the process. Melissa White, one of the judges, noted that everything had been running smoothly during the event. She had traveled from New Zealand to evaluate the contestants, and she was impressed by the camaraderie among the participants. Another judge, Jennifer Chan, who is a TV host and beauty expert, stated that Manshika was the clear winner based on her performance and interactions with the other contestants. However, after the pageant, the judges began to sense that something was amiss. Nadine, who was supposed to be celebrating as the runner-up, appeared visibly upset. Jennifer recalled feeling puzzled by Nadine's reaction, questioning how someone could feel so entitled to win. The day after the pageant, Manshika celebrated her victory with a boat trip alongside the judges. She was filled with excitement, believing that her life was about to change for the better. However, there was still no official confirmation of her win. One of the judges, Riri Febriani, was notably absent from the boat trip, which raised suspicions. Riri claimed she had work to do, but Melissa noticed that Riri was frequently on her phone, communicating with someone named Jamie. It was later revealed that Riri represented Lux Projects, the company that had purchased the license to hold the Miss Universe pageant in Fiji. This company was dissatisfied with the results of the contest and claimed that they should have had a vote in the decision-making process, which was not counted. This would have resulted in a tie, and they believed that Nadine should be declared the winner. The situation became even more complicated when it was discovered that Jamie McIntyre, who is married to Nadine, was associated with Lux Projects. Jamie had a controversial history, having been banned from doing business in Australia for a decade due to his involvement in a failed investment scheme. Many were taken aback by his connection to the pageant. The judges expressed their confusion and frustration, as they had not been informed about any additional judges or votes. They felt that the process was unfair and that the rules had not been followed. This scandal is not the first to hit the world of beauty pageants, which have historically faced their share of controversies. Experts suggest that social media has amplified these issues, making them more visible to the public. In many countries, beauty pageants have become popular and lucrative, raising the stakes for everyone involved. Despite the chaos, there is a silver lining for Manshika. She announced on social media that she has been re-crowned as Miss Fiji 2024. The Miss Universe Organization is reportedly unhappy with the events in Fiji but has worked diligently to restore Manshika's title. The judges and supporters of Manshika are relieved and proud of her resilience throughout this ordeal. Meanwhile, Nadine continues to refer to herself as the 'real Miss Universe Fiji 2024' on social media. The entire situation has been a whirlwind of emotions for everyone involved, but ultimately, the truth has emerged.