Service providers involved in a recent international beauty pageant are expressing frustration over unpaid bills. Miss Universe Fiji 2024 has yet to fulfill its financial commitments for services contracted during the three-day event held at The Pearl South Pacific Beach Resort. One of the service providers, Tracey Ann Farrington, who was asked last minute to act as the master of ceremonies on the final night, highlighted the issue.
Farrington, a fashion designer and boutique owner based in Nadi, provided clothing for the ten contestants and judges. She voiced her concerns about how smaller businesses are negatively impacted by larger entities like Miss Universe Fiji, which has not yet cleared its debts. She revealed she received an alarming message from a judge regarding the outstanding payments.
“I don’t understand why the judge has referred me to a Gmail address to settle my dues, especially since she mentioned that she resigned due to non-payment issues,” Farrington stated. She expressed that communications regarding payment should come from an official Miss Universe domain.
Attempts to contact the national director of Miss Universe Fiji, Paris Jade, for clarification went unanswered. The Miss Universe Organisation also has not provided any response.
Recently, Miss Universe Fiji issued an apology over the controversy regarding the pageant’s rightful winner. Following challenges raised by Nadine Roberts about the judging process, the Miss Universe Organisation defended Manshika Prasad as the declared winner. Miss Universe Fiji expressed regret over the situation and has requested the Miss Universe Global Organisation to determine who will represent Fiji in 2024.
Additionally, the licensee for Miss Universe Fiji 2024, Lux Projects Bali, hopes to attract additional funding for next year’s event, aiming to ensure a successful spectacle that promotes Fiji on a global scale and provides young Fijian women the opportunity to represent their country with pride.