Miss Universe Organization
The Miss Universe Organization has taken action by cutting ties with its Indonesian franchisee. The Organization also decided to cancel an upcoming pageant in Malaysia. This decision comes in the wake of allegations some contestants alleged their sexual harassment by the organizers.
Six participants in the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant recently lodged complaints with the police. They accused the local organizers of requesting them to undergo “body checks” in a room.
The organizers did it in front of two dozen people, including men. During these checks, the contestants were asked to strip down to their underwear to examine for scars or cellulite.
Five of these contestants further reported that they were photographed topless.
Hengki Haryadi, Director for General Crimes at the Jakarta police, stated that the organizers coerced the victims into undressing and posing inappropriately for body checks. This bitter experience left them traumatized.
The New York-based Miss Universe Organization has officially decided to sever its connections with PT Capella Swastika Karya. The company is responsible for organizing the Indonesian pageant.
The Miss Universe Organization announced its decision on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). It said, “Upon learning of the incidents during Miss Universe Indonesia, the franchise failed to meet our brand’s standards.”
In addition, the organization also decided to cancel the Miss Universe Malaysia event due to the Indonesian franchisee’s involvement. The Miss Universe Organization said it is planning to facilitate the participation of the 2023 Miss Universe Indonesia titleholder in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant, in El Salvador this year.
The Miss Universe Indonesia pageant, which took place from July 29 to August 3, aimed to select Indonesia’s representative for the 2023 Miss Universe competition. The winner of this pageant was Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.
Meanwhile, Poppy Capella refuted her involvement in the physical examinations carried out during the contest. She expressed her stance against any form of “violence and sexual harassment.”
In a social media post, she wrote, “As the national director and the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, I was not at all involved and have never been aware of, instructed, requested, or allowed anyone participating in the Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 process to engage in violence or sexual harassment through body checks.”
