The organizers of Miss Universe Fiji 2024 have officially confirmed Manshika Prasad as the winner of the pageant. This announcement was made after a verification call with the Miss Universe Organisation, which endorsed her participation as Fiji’s representative at the international event scheduled for this November in Mexico.
The confirmation follows disputes surrounding the legitimacy of the judging process, initiated by the pageant’s license holder, Lux Projects Bali (Fiji). Organizers stated that Manshika won the title with a narrow 4-3 vote from the judges. However, Lux Projects Bali (Fiji) alleged that there was an unauthorized eighth judge involved in the process, a claim that has been rejected by both the organizers and the official Miss Universe Organisation.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted financial issues, indicating that Lux Projects Bali (Fiji) has not met its payment obligations 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 fairness and sustainability for the event.
The ongoing controversy has reportedly caused significant concern among various stakeholders, including Manshika Prasad, fellow finalists, judges, sponsors, and organizers. Despite the turmoil, the community continues to express support for Manshika and uphold the integrity of the Miss Universe Fiji competition.