The organizers of Miss Universe Fiji 2024 have officially confirmed Manshika Prasad as the rightful winner of the pageant. This announcement was made following a verification conversation with the Miss Universe Organisation, which endorsed her participation in the international event set to take place in Mexico this November.
The confirmation comes amid disputes raised by the pageant’s license holder, Lux Projects Bali (Fiji), related to the judging process. The organizers stated that Manshika won the title with a 4-3 vote from the judges. However, Lux Projects Bali (Fiji) has alleged issues regarding an unauthorized eighth judge, claims that have been denied by both the pageant organizers and the official Miss Universe Organisation.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted financial issues, noting 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 address these outstanding payments promptly to maintain the event’s fairness and sustainability.
This controversy has reportedly caused significant distress for all parties involved, including Manshika Prasad, other finalists, the judges, sponsors, and organizers. Nonetheless, the community continues to support Manshika and uphold the integrity of the Miss Universe Fiji competition.