The organizers of Miss Universe Fiji 2024 have officially confirmed Manshika Prasad as the legitimate winner of the pageant. This confirmation was made after a verification communication with the Miss Universe Organisation, which endorsed her participation to represent Fiji at the international competition taking place in Mexico this November.
The announcement comes amid disputes surrounding claims made by the pageant’s license holder, Lux Projects Bali (Fiji), regarding the judging process. According to the organizers, Manshika earned her title with a narrow 4-3 vote from the judges. However, Lux Projects Bali (Fiji) has raised concerns about an alleged unauthorized eighth judge, claims that have been denied by both the organizers and the Miss Universe Organisation.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted financial issues, indicating that Lux Projects Bali (Fiji) has not met its payment responsibilities for services rendered between August 27 and September 2, 2024. The organizers have urged Christine Natali, the Director/Manager of LUX Fiji (and LUX Bali), to promptly address these outstanding payments to maintain the event’s integrity and sustainability.
This controversy has led to distress among all parties involved, including Manshika Prasad, other finalists, judges, sponsors, and organizers. Despite these difficulties, the community is continuing to show its support for Manshika and the principles of the Miss Universe Fiji competition.