Images courtesy of Fashion PULIS reader
Before the pageant could let the dust settle, Miss Uzbekistan Rakhima Ganieva’s participation came under scrutiny. During an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Uzbekistan‘s Culture and Sports Ministry and the national committee on women called Ganieva, 18, an imposter and said that no such contest as Miss Uzbekistan happened in the country.
The most recent contestant to join the controversies is Miss Philippines, Megan Young. Having made to the top ten of two contests – Beach fashion and Top Model – at the Miss World 2013 pageant, Young is one of the top contenders predicted to win the coveted Miss World crown during the finale.
However, topless photos of Megan Young, an early favourite among pageant’s fans, that appeared in the March 2012 issue of Rogue Magazine have surfaced and drawn ire from the fans.
“Rules are rules when it comes to the Miss World beauty contest it seems that contestants’ taking their clothes off is a clear breach of the laws,” a user wrote to IBTimes UK on condition of anonymity.
“A beauty queen is somebody that is a good role model inside and out and obviously is a beautiful person. It's not just about exterior beauty; a beauty queen has to have outstanding morals, elegance, femininity and class. And that's what everybody thinks it is. Beauty queens should be seen as role models not sex object.”
The user asks: “Will an Indonesian group of religious and feminist launch a protest on Megan Young's naked pictures? How will Miss World Organization and Indonesian government handle this issue?”
Notwithstanding any of these controversies, the Miss World Organisation is readying to host all the 130 contestants on the Miss World 2013 finale. Both Miss Philippines and Miss Uzbekistan remain listed on the pageant’s official website.
