Miss Universe pageant cuts ties with Indonesian organisers over intercourse abuse claims
The Miss Universe magnificence pageant has minimize ties with its organisers in Indonesia following claims that contestants have been pressured to strip bare and endure intimate “body checks”.
Police have additionally launched an investigation into the allegations, whereas an upcoming pageant in Malaysia – organized by the Indonesian franchisee holder – has been cancelled.
It comes after six ladies filed sexual harassment complaints following a contest to select Indonesia‘s consultant for the worldwide competitors.
The contestants say native organisers requested them to strip to their underwear to endure “body checks” – supposedly for scars or cellulite – in a room with about two dozen individuals current, together with males.
Five of the ladies stated they have been additionally photographed topless in the course of the pageant, which was held in Jakarta from 29 July to three August.
Police director Hengki Haryadi stated on Sunday: “These victims felt forced to take off their clothes and pose inappropriately for body checking that traumatised them.”
He stated officers have been nonetheless analyzing surveillance cameras from the scene and would interview the victims.
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) stated in an announcement: “In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards and ethics”.
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Officials stated they might make preparations for the native Indonesian winner to nonetheless compete within the world ultimate later this 12 months.
The MUO added that it was reviewing its insurance policies “to prevent this type of conduct from occurring and to ensure that future events worldwide remain within the brand standards that we have set out for all of our international franchises”.
It added: “We also want to make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”
American R’Bonney Gabriel – who just isn’t concerned within the Indonesian scandal – is the present holder of the Miss Universe title
‘New period’ for Miss Universe
Indonesian magnificence firm PT Capella Swastika Karya took over the licence for Miss Universe Indonesia in March.
Its founder Poppy Capella stated: “I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia licence, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 process to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking.”
The scandal is the most recent controversy to hit the long-running competitors, which critics have attacked as sexist and demeaning to ladies.
Between 1996 and 2015 the rights to the pageant have been part-owned by former US president Donald Trump.
The MUO’s swift response to the allegations in Indonesia comes after it was taken over by Thai media tycoon and transgender rights campaigner Anne Jakkaphong in 2022.
Earlier this 12 months she promised a “new era” for the competition and added: “from now on it’s going to be run by women, owned by a trans woman, for all women around the world to celebrate the power of feminism”.