The organizers of Miss Universe Fiji 2024 have officially confirmed Manshika Prasad as the rightful winner of the pageant. This announcement comes after a verification call with the Miss Universe Organisation, which endorsed her upcoming representation of Fiji at the international event set to take place in Mexico this November.
The confirmation follows disputes involving misleading claims made by the pageant’s license holder, Lux Projects Bali (Fiji), regarding the judging process. Organizers stated that Manshika secured her title through a 4-3 vote from the judges. However, Lux Projects Bali (Fiji) raised allegations about an unauthorized eighth judge, accusations that have been dismissed by both the organizers and the official Miss Universe Organisation.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted financial issues, revealing that Lux Projects Bali (Fiji) has not met its payment obligations for services rendered from August 27 to September 2, 2024. The organizers have urged Christine Natali, the Director/Manager of LUX Fiji (and LUX Bali), to swiftly address these outstanding payments to uphold the event’s fairness and sustainability.
The ongoing controversy has caused distress among those involved, including Manshika Prasad, other finalists, judges, sponsors, and the organizers. Despite these challenges, the community remains supportive of Manshika and the integrity of the Miss Universe Fiji competition.