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

| Filimaina Koto{{Cite web|title = Miss Hibiscus 1957|url = http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=373043|website = www.fijitimes.com|access-date = 29 October 2016}}

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
(Miss US Consulate)

1972

| Esther Quai-Hoi

1974

| Sandra Hazelman

1975

| Michele Smith

1978

| Tanya Whiteside
(Miss Tiki Togs)

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
(Miss BNZ)

1989

| Natalie Grey
(Miss BNZ)

1990

| Litia Dewa
(Miss FTIB)

1991

| Sala Toganivalu

1992

| Ilisapeci Kubuabola
(Miss Reserve Bank of Fiji)

1994

| Miranda Foon
(Miss Courts)

1995

| Jacqueline Mavoa
(Miss Reserve Bank of Fiji)

1996

| Sharlotte Johenson

1997

| Letila Mitchell
(Miss Pasifika Communications)

1998

| Ranadi Johnston

1999

| Joanne Terubea
(Miss Reserve Bank of Fiji)

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

| Zaira Begg{{Cite web|title = Begg wins - Fiji Times Online|url = http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=327151|website = www.fijitimes.com|access-date = 2015-11-15}}

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

| Eastern Division

| 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

| Central Division

| Lynn Michelle McDonald

| Unplaced

|

|

colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete in 1980}}
1979

| Central Division

| 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

| Central Division

| Nanise Noel Ragarau Rainima{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

| Unplaced

| align="left"|

|

2016

| Western Division

| Pooja Priyanka

| Unplaced

| align="left"|

|

2015

| Central Division

| Brittany Hazelman

| Unplaced

| align="left"|

|

2014

| Western Division

| Charlene Sulueti Tafuna'i

| Unplaced

|

|

2013

| Western Division

| Caireen Erbsleben

| Unplaced

|

|

2012

| Western Division

| Koini Elesi Vakaloloma{{ref label|note01|a

}

| Unplaced

| align="left"|

| 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

| Central Division

| Aishwarya Sukhdeo

| Unplaced

| align="left"|

|

|}

=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

|Western Division

| 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

| Central Division

| Sera Volavola

| colspan=5 {{n/a|Did not compete}}

colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete since 2020—2022}}
style="background-color:#FADADD"

! 2019

| Central Division

| Zaira Begg

| Unplaced

| align="left"|

  • {{silver02}} Miss Friendship (Air)
  • {{bronze03}} Talent (Air)

|

colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2016—2018}}
style="background-color:#FADADD"

! 2015

| Central Division

| Shyla Angela Prasad

| Unplaced

| align="left"|

  • {{gold01}} Most Cheerful

|

2014

| Central Division

| 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

| Central Division

| Esther Cheyanne Foss

| Unplaced

| align="left"|

  • {{gold01}} I Love My Planet School Campaign

|

colspan="6"|Unknown directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Earth in 2007
colspan=6 {{n/a|Did not compete between 2008—2011}}
2007

| Central Division

| 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

| Central Division

| 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

| Central Division

| Sharlotte R. Johenson

| Unplaced

|

|

1995

| Central Division

| Rejieli Ratu

| Unplaced

|

|

style="background-color:#FFFF99"

! 1994

| Central Division

| Sunita Devi

| Top 15

|

|

References

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=}}