There were ugly scenes at this year’s Miss Grand International beauty pageant when a member of the Myanmar team angrily ripped the third-place crown from her own contestant’s head, insisting she should have come first.
Thae Su Nyein, 18, took second place in the Bangkok-based contest, behind Indian winner Rachel Gupta and Filipino Christine Juliane Opiaza.
But instead of celebrating the award, the newcomer was seen sobbing on stage while her team was furious.
Dramatic video shows how, as she left the stage, Miss Grand Myanmar director Htoo Ant Lwin removed her crown and snatched her sash in protest.
He shouted at someone filming the fight and a tearful Thae was carried away, and then a war of words broke out between Htoo and Thai pageant boss Nawat Itsaragrisil.
There were ugly scenes at this year’s Miss Grand International beauty pageant when a member of the Myanmar team angrily ripped the third place crown off Thae Su Nyein’s head.
Miss Grand Myanmar director Htoo Ant Lwin (pictured) stripped Thae of her crown and snatched her sash in protest.
Thae Su Nyein, 18, took second place in the Miss Grand International pageant before organizers stripped her of the title.
Instead of celebrating the award, the newcomer was seen sobbing on stage while her team was furious.
Winner of the Bangkok-based Miss Grand International beauty pageant: Rachel Gupta of India
Moments before Miss Grand Myanmar director Htoo Ant Lwin took the crown from Thae Su Nyein (pictured, second from right) and snatched her sash in protest.
Ironically, the theme of this year’s contest was intended to be “a message of love and peace to the world.”
Thae was later stripped of her second runner-up title, with MGI writing in a Facebook post that this was due to “inappropriate behavior and actions that violated various regulations.”
In a post in the following days, Thae stated that she was not upset about losing the top title to Gupta.
He also wished Htoo a happy birthday, labeling him “a mentor, brother and friend that God gave him in his life,” as well as praising him as a perfect individual who treats others well.
He said they should “continue to strive together,” apparently in reference to the recent controversy.
Itsaragrisil later criticized Thae’s actions, saying at a press conference: “What makes (Thae) so delusional?”
“If you want first place and you should have it, I suggest you create your own contest so you can win all the titles,” he added.
‘Someone like you should not participate in anything competitive or challenge others. You should stay in your own imaginary, fantasy and virtual world.
Ironically, the theme of this year’s contest was to be “a message of love and peace to the world.”
Thae is pictured with Miss Grand Myanmar director Htoo Ant Lwin
In a post in the following days, Thae stated that she was not upset about losing the top title to Gupta.
He also wished Htoo a happy birthday, labeling him “a mentor, brother and friend that God gave him in his life,” as well as praising him as a perfect individual who treats others well.
Thae was later stripped of her second runner-up title, with MGI writing in a Facebook post that this was due to “inappropriate behavior and actions that violated various regulations.”
The dispute escalated when Htoo accused the organizers of demanding payment in exchange for the crown, a claim Nawat dismissed as “ridiculous”.
In turn, he cited alleged financial irregularities by the Myanmar contingent and ordered a lifetime franchise ban for Htoo for “lack of sportsmanship and business credibility.”
It comes after a beauty pageant held at a quiet South Pacific island resort turned into a storm after the winning model was controversially stripped of her crown.
As the competition came to a climax on Friday night, 24-year-old Manshika Prasad was crowned Miss Fiji at the Pearl Resort & Spa after securing her title with a 4-3 vote from the pageant judges.
But that’s when things “got really bad,” according to a judge who witnessed a “conspiracy” unfold before his eyes.