Miss Fiji
{{Short description|Beauty pageant}}
{{Infobox organization
|name = Miss Fiji
|formation = 1956
|type = Beauty pageant
|headquarters = Suva
|location = Fiji
|membership = {{Ubl|Miss Universe|Miss Earth}}
|language = {{Hlist|Fijian|English}}
|leader_title = National Directors
|leader_name = {{Ubl|Hirdesh Prasad|(Miss Hibiscus Festival)|Paris Jade|(Miss Universe Fiji)|Asvin Singh|(Miss Earth Fiji)}}
|website =
}}
Miss Fiji is a national Beauty pageant in Fiji.
History
In 1956, the Miss Fiji Pageant Association was established under the auspices of the local government and Fiji Airways, marking a significant moment in the nation's cultural and social history. This event was previously known as the Miss Hibiscus National Pageant, which had been a cherished tradition in Fiji, celebrating the beauty, talent, and cultural heritage of Fijian women. The first Miss Fiji crowned was Liebling Marlow, who set a high standard for future contestants with her grace and poise.
The pageant evolved over the years, gaining prestige and becoming a vital platform for young women to showcase their abilities and represent their country on the global stage. In 1979, Fiji made its debut in the Miss Universe pageant with Tanya Whiteside as its representative. This milestone was a proud moment for the nation, as it highlighted Fiji's growing presence in the international pageantry scene and provided a unique opportunity for its contestants to engage with diverse cultures and global audiences.
Since then, the Miss Fiji pageant has continued to be a significant event, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage and the aspirations of its people. The collaboration with organizations like Fiji Airways underscores the importance of national pride and international representation, helping to elevate the status of the pageant and its participants.{{Cite web|title = The 1st Miss Hibiscus-Mrs. Liebling Marlow (nee Hoeflich)|url = https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-hibiscus-festival-fiji/the-1st-miss-hibiscus-mrs-liebling-marlow-nee-hoeflich/197746026927412|website = www.facebook.com|access-date = 2015-11-15}}
In 2024, Manshika Prasad was initially named the winner only to be told two days later that the title's winner was Nadine Roberts. Miss Universe Fiji, run by Lux Projects, issued a press release saying that Prasad had been chosen in a rigged vote which favoured a “Fiji Indian” contestant to win because it would bring financial benefits to the event's manager. However, media reported that Roberts had been married to Jamie McIntyre, a man closely associated with Lux Projects.{{Cite news|title =A beauty pageant turned ugly: The alleged plot to steal a queen's crown |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn7lnny4y0mo |date=9 September 2024 |work=BBC News}} The Miss Universe Organization went on to reappoint Prasad as the winner following an investigation.{{Cite news|title =Drama continues : Miss Universe Fiji 2024 is Manshika Prasad and will go to Miss Universe in Mexico |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Drama-continues--Miss-Universe-Fiji-2024-is-Manshika-Prasad-and-will-go-to-Miss-Universe-in-Mexico-4x5f8r/ |date=6 September 2024 |work=Fiji Village}}
Titleholders
class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
!!width="60"|Year | width="250"|Miss Fiji |
1956
| Liebling Marlow | |
1957 | |
1959
| Robin Ann Riemenschnei | |
1960
| Emma Whitcombe | |
1962
| Eta Uluvula Qereqeretabua{{Cite web|title = 1962 Queen Shares Experience|url = http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/06/13/1962-queen-shares-experience/|access-date = 29 October 2016}} | |
1963
| Ruci Koroi | |
1964
| Patricia Pickering | |
1970
| Adi Talatoka Lalabalavu | |
1972
| Esther Quai-Hoi | |
1974
| Sandra Hazelman | |
1975
| Michele Smith | |
1978
| Tanya Whiteside | |
1979
| Margaret Singh | |
1980
| Lynn Michelle MacDonald | |
1981
| Loretta Ragg | |
1982
| Lorna Cristoferson | |
1983
| Annie Raymond | |
1984
| Irene Butt | |
1985
| Ulamila Kaisau | |
1986
| Jane Sharon | |
1988
| Lenora Qereqeretabua | |
1989
| Natalie Grey | |
1990
| Litia Dewa | |
1991
| Sala Toganivalu | |
1992
| Ilisapeci Kubuabola | |
1994
| Miranda Foon | |
1995
| Jacqueline Mavoa | |
1996
| Sharlotte Johenson | |
1997
| Letila Mitchell | |
1998
| Ranadi Johnston | |
1999
| Joanne Terubea | |
2002
| Sheetal Shivani Ram | |
2004
| Aishwarya Sukhdeo | |
2005
| Shital Ram | |
2006
| Lusia Delai | |
2007
| Patricia Ann Naisara | |
2008
| Filomena Tuivanualevu Tagivetaua | |
2009
| Merewalesi Nailatikau | |
2010
| Sera Tikotikoivatu | |
2011
| Alisi Rabukawaqa | |
2012
| Drue Slatter | |
2013
| Priscilla Preetika Reddy | |
2014
| Nanise Noel Ragarau Rainima | |
2015 | |
2016
| Anne Dunn | |
2017
| Hailey Qaqa | |
2019
| Jessica Fong | |
2024
| Manshika Prasad |
Fijians at international pageants
=Miss Fiji Universe=
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared as Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Ended as special awards winner
}}
::On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
class="wikitable " style="font-size: 90%;"
!width="60" |Year !width="150" |Division !width="250" |Miss Fiji !width="250" |Placement at Miss Universe !width="250" |Special awards !width="250" |Notes |
colspan="6"|Paris Jade directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe from 2024 |
---|
2024
| Manshika Prasad | Unplaced | | |
colspan="6"|Hibiscus Festival of Fiji (Fiji Airways) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1979―1981 |
colspan=7 {{n/a|Did not compete between 1982—2023}} |
1981
| Lynn Michelle McDonald | Unplaced | | |
colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete in 1980}} |
1979
| Tanya Whiteside | Unplaced | | |
=Miss Fiji World=
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared as Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Ended as special awards winner
}}
::In 2012, the Miss World Fiji pageant was established as a separate entity, distinct from the original Miss Fiji Pageant Association. This move marked a significant development in the Fijian pageantry landscape, allowing for a dedicated platform to select representatives specifically for the Miss World competition.
class="wikitable " style="font-size: 90%;"
!width="60" |Year !width="150" |Division !width="250" |Miss Fiji World !width="250" |Placement at Miss World !width="250" |Special awards !width="250" |Notes |
colspan="6"|Andhy Blake directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World from 2012 |
---|
colspan=7 {{n/a|Did not compete since 2018—Present}} |
2017
| Nanise Noel Ragarau Rainima{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
2016
| Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
2015
| Brittany Hazelman | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
2014
| Charlene Sulueti Tafuna'i | Unplaced | | |
2013
| Caireen Erbsleben | Unplaced | | |
2012
| Koini Elesi Vakaloloma{{ref label|note01|a |
| Unplaced
| align="left"|
- Miss World Beach Beauty (Top 40)
| Torika Watters, the original of Miss World Fiji 2012 did not come to Miss World. A Runner-up, Koini Elesi Vakaloloma was appointed by the committee to compete at Miss World 2012 in Inner Mongolia, China.
|-
| colspan=7 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2005—2011}}
|-
! colspan="6"|Unknown directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World in 2004
|-
! 2004
| Aishwarya Sukhdeo
| Unplaced
| align="left"|
- Miss World Sport (Top 10)
- Miss World Talent (Top 20)
|
|}
=Miss Fiji Earth=
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared as Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Ended as special awards winner
}}
class="wikitable " style="font-size: 90%;"
!width="60" |Year !width="150" |Division !width="250" |Miss Fiji Earth !width="250" |Placement at Miss Earth !width="250" |Special awards !width="250" |Notes |
colspan="6"|Asvin Singh directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Earth from 2014 |
---|
2024
| Ashlin Alveena Prasad{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DAiaDLxvJBi/|title=Ashlin Alveena Prasad will be representing FIJI at this year's Miss Earth pageant|website=Instagram|date=30 September 2024|language=en}} | Unplaced | | |
2023
| Sera Volavola | colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete}} |
colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete since 2020—2022}} |
style="background-color:#FADADD"
! 2019 | Zaira Begg | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2016—2018}} |
style="background-color:#FADADD"
! 2015 | Shyla Angela Prasad | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
2014
| Zoe McCraken | Unplaced | | |
colspan="6"|Talents Fiji directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Earth in 2012 |
colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete in 2013}} |
style="background-color:#FADADD"
! 2012 | Esther Cheyanne Foss | Unplaced | align="left"|
| |
colspan="6"|Unknown directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Earth in 2007 |
colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2008—2011}} |
2007
| Minal Maneesha Ali | Unplaced | | |
=Miss Fiji International=
{{plainlist|
- {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared as Winner
- {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
- {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Ended as special awards winner
}}
::The Miss International Fiji title does not exist. In 2012, under new ownership, there was an attempt to send a Fijian representative to the Miss International pageant. Unfortunately, this effort did not succeed due to a lack of sponsorship.
class="wikitable " style="font-size: 95%;"
!width="60" |Year !width="150" |Division !width="250" |Miss Fiji International !width="250" |Placement at Miss International !width="250" |Special awards !width="250" |Notes |
colspan="6"|Talents Fiji directorship — a franchise holder to Miss International in 2012 |
---|
colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete since 2013—Present}} |
2012
| Kesaia Kacilala | colspan=2 {{n/a|Did not compete}} | Due to lack of sponsorship, Kesaia did not attend the Miss International 2012 in Okinawa, Japan. |
colspan="6"|Unknown directorship — a franchise holder to Miss International between 1994―1996 |
colspan=7 {{n/a|Did not compete between 1997—2011}} |
1996
| Sharlotte R. Johenson | Unplaced | | |
1995
| Rejieli Ratu | Unplaced | | |
style="background-color:#FFFF99"
! 1994 | Sunita Devi | Top 15 | | |
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=}}
External links
{{Miss Universe countries and territories}}
{{Miss World countries and territories}}
{{Miss Earth countries and territories}}
{{Miss International countries and territories}}