Miss Fiji Pageant Controversy Ends With Winner's Ouster

It’s not often the results of a beauty pageant spark heated nationwide debate, but that’s exactly what Torika Watters’ victory did. The contestant won the annual Miss Fiji contest earlier this year, but with her mixed European-Fijan heritage, many felt she didn’t accurately represent what makes the women of the area beautiful. The judging panel consisted of several foreigners including New Zealand supermodel Rachel Hunter, and outrage brewed over the notion they’d decided a more European style of beauty was preferable. The angry turned to the pageant’s Facebook page to demand the contestant’s ouster, and thousands of “violent” and “racist” comments had to be deleted.

As it turns out, Watters’ detractors got their wish but not for the reason they were so upset. According to The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, she’s been officially disqualified for only being sixteen years old. Organizers made the media rounds yesterday and today to make it clear the uproar didn’t lead to the ban, but not everyone is buying the politically correct answer. The powers that be have admitted they knew Watters’ age when she competed, but they say they were misinformed about the qualifications needed to compete in Miss World.

Regardless of what really happened, first runner-up Koini Vakaloloma will go on to the next round, and Watters has been invited to participate in next year’s competition. We’ll see what she decides when the time comes, but right now, it’s looking like she’s done with beauty pageants for good.