Service providers for the recent Miss Universe Fiji 2024 pageant are expressing their frustrations as they await overdue payments for their services. The beauty pageant, held at The Pearl South Pacific Beach Resort, has left several contracted service providers unpaid, with Tracey Ann Farrington being one of them. Farrington, who runs a boutique and designs fashion in Nadi, was called in at the last minute to serve as the master of ceremonies during the crowning night.
She also sponsored the attire for the ten contestants and judges involved in the event. Farrington highlighted the struggles faced by small businesses like hers when dealing with larger entities like Miss Universe Fiji, which has yet to fulfill its financial obligations.
Recently, Farrington received a concerning message from a judge regarding the outstanding payments. She expressed confusion over being directed to a Gmail address for payment matters, particularly noting that the judge resigned due to concerns over non-payments. “It should be an address with the Miss Universe domain,” she remarked.
Attempts to get comments from Paris Jade, the national director of Miss Universe Fiji, went unanswered before the publication. Similarly, the Miss Universe Organisation has yet to respond to inquiries about the situation.
Last week, Miss Universe Fiji issued an apology over the confusion regarding the rightful winner after Nadine Roberts contested the judging processes following the announcement of Manshika Prasad as queen. The Miss Universe Organisation has publicly supported Prasad as the contest’s winner.
In its apology, Miss Universe Fiji asked the Miss Universe Global Organisation to take charge of selecting the representative for Fiji in 2024. They expressed hopes for finding new funding to enhance future events and ensure that independent judges are appointed, aiming to prevent any similar controversies and promote Fiji on a global scale, offering young Fijian women the opportunity to represent their country with pride.