There were ugly scenes at this year’s Miss Grand International beauty pageant when a member of the Myanmar team furiously tore the third place crown from their own contestant’s head, insisting she should have come first instead.
Thae Su Nyein, 18, earned the second runner-up place in the Bangkok-based contest behind the Indian winner Rachel Gupta and the Philippines’ Christine Juliane Opiaza.
But rather than celebrating the accolade, the newcomer was seen sobbing on stage while her team were fuming.
Dramatic video shows how, as she left the stage, Miss Grand Myanmar director Htoo Ant Lwin removed her crown and snatched away her sash in protest.
He shouted at someone filming the scuffle and the tearful Thae was led away, with a war of words then erupting 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 furiously tore the third place crown from Thae Su Nyein’s head
Miss Grand Myanmar director Htoo Ant Lwin (pictured) removed Thae’s crown and snatched away her sash in protest
Thae Su Nyein, 18, earned the second runner-up place in the Miss Grand International contest before being stripped of the title by organisers
Rather than celebrating the accolade, the newcomer was seen sobbing on stage while her team were fuming
Winner of Bangkok-based Miss Grand International beauty pageant: Rachel Gupta, from India
Moments before Miss Grand Myanmar director Htoo Ant Lwin removed Thae Su Nyein’s (pictured, second from right) crown and snatched away her sash in protest.
Ironically, the theme of this year’s competition was meant 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 several regulations.’
In a post in the days after, Thae claimed she was not upset about losing the top title to Gupta.
She also wished Htoo a happy birthday, labelling him ‘a mentor, brother, and friend that God gifted to her life,’ as well as praising him as a perfect individual who treats others well.
She said they should ‘continue striving together,’ seemingly referring to the recent controversy.
Itsaragrisil later slammed Thae’s actions, saying at a press conference: ‘What makes [Thae] so delusional?’
‘If she wants first place and must have it, I suggest she create her own pageant so she can win every title,’ he added.
‘Someone like you shouldn’t participate in anything competitive or challenging others. You should stay in your own imaginary, fantasy, virtual world.’
Ironically, the theme of this year’s competition was meant 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 days after, Thae claimed she was not upset about losing the top title to Gupta
She also wished Htoo a happy birthday, labelling him ‘a mentor, brother, and friend that God gifted to her 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 several regulations’
The row escalated when Htoo accused the organisers of seeking payment in return for the crown, a claim Nawat dismissed as ‘ridiculous.’
He in turn cited alleged financial misdeeds by the Myanmar contingent and ordered a lifetime ban from the franchise for Htoo for ‘lack of sportsmanship and business credibility.’
It comes after a beauty pageant hosted at a tranquil spa resort on a South Pacific island descended into a storm after the winning model was controversially snatched of her crown.
As the competition drew to a climax on Friday night, Manshika Prasad, 24, was crowned Miss Fiji at the Pearl Resort & Spa after securing her title with a 4-3 vote from pageant judges.
But it was at this point that things ‘turned really ugly’, according to one judge who witnessed a ‘conspiracy’ unfold in front of their eyes.
