Manshika Prasad, Nadine Roberts both claim Miss Universe Fiji crown
The Miss Universe organisation is understood to be deeply unhappy about a scandal engulfing Miss Universe Fiji, as two pageant queens with Australian links both maintain their claims to victory.
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Two pageant queens with Australian links are both steadfastly maintaining their claim to the first Miss Universe Fiji crown in 43 years, as a battle over the legitimate winner rages on.
University of NSW business student Manshika Prasad was crowned Miss Universe Fiji with four judges’ votes to three for runner-up Nadine Roberts on September 2.
Sydney-born property developer Ms Roberts was then announced as the winner by pageant licensee Lux Projects Bali and Fiji, who invoked what they said was their right to vote — and then to break the tie in Ms Roberts’ favour.
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The Telegraph subsequently revealed the sole contact number for the pageant licensee belongs to Roberts’ estranged husband and sanctioned Australian businessman Jamie McIntyre – although he denies he is the licensee, or had any influence over the result.
Ugly accusations of impropriety have subsequently flown in every direction, with the global Miss Universe organisation understood to be deeply unhappy with the drama in Fiji.
Neither Ms Prasad nor Ms Roberts are accused of any wrongdoing.
Several judges and pageant organiser Grant Dwyer have stood firmly by Ms Prasad as the authentic winner, but neither Ms Roberts, nor the pageant licensee, are backing down on her claim to victory.
Several attempts to contact Miss Universe directly have been unsuccessful.
“Based on an official call with the Miss Universe Organisation, we have been advised to confirm Manshika Prasad as the rightful winner and express our support for her representation of Fiji at Miss Universe,” Mr Dwyer said in a statement on September 6.
“It is now time to unite as a nation and rally behind Manshika Prasad as she represents Fiji on the world stage at Miss Universe.”
The Miss Universe Fiji Instagram page, operated by the licensee Lux Projects Bali and Fiji, continues to post content establishing Ms Roberts as the winner bound for Miss Universe in Mexico.
“People of Fiji will be confused and misled by the current media … their intent is not to help the people of Fiji but to line their pockets as greedy individuals,” Ms Roberts said in a statement posted to the Miss Universe Fiji Instagram.
“I can inspire and contribute to the growth of Fiji … if I don’t do this, another country will … and how will Fijians survive?” Ms Roberts added.
The link between Ms Roberts’ appointment as Miss Universe and the survival of Fiji was not clear.
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Originally published as Manshika Prasad, Nadine Roberts both claim Miss Universe Fiji crown
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