In a dramatic turn of events, Nawat Itsaragrisil, the founder of Miss Grand International (MGI), has made serious allegations against Htoo Ant Lwin, the director of the Miss Grand Myanmar pageant. According to Nawat, Lwin coerced beauty queen Thae Su Nyein into surrendering her title of second runner-up in order to maintain control over her burgeoning fame in Myanmar and prevent her from signing a contract with MGI, local sources report.

Miss Grand Myanmar 2023's Experience

Notably, the controversy deepens as Miss Grand Myanmar 2023, Ni Ni Lin Eain, also claims to have experienced similar coercive tactics during her reign. She revealed her frustrations, stating, “Htoo Ant Lwin didn’t provide any substantial support. My family funded all my expenses for the competition, with his only contribution being a single evening gown for the final event.” Eain went on to express her discontent, mentioning that Lwin even urged her to utilize a portion of her prize money to cover Miss Grand licensing fees.

Miss Grand International Event Relocation

Adding fuel to the fire, Nawat disclosed that Htoo Ant Lwin failed to pay the essential hosting fees for the upcoming 2024 Miss Grand International event, which was originally set to take place in Myanmar. This blunder forced the organization to move the event to another country, marking a significant setback for the nation’s pageantry scene.

Htoo Ant Lwin's Response

Responding to the accusations on October 28, Htoo Ant Lwin livestreamed a session on TikTok, where he expressed sorrow over the misunderstandings. Currently, at 29 years old, he resides in Thailand and is known for previously holding the title of Mister Supranational Myanmar 2017.

Thae Su Nyein Stripped of Title

In a related twist, on Monday, the Miss Grand International organization officially stripped 17-year-old Thae Su Nyein of her second runner-up title for what they termed as “inappropriate behavior.” Thae Su Nyein, who won third place in the pageant held from October 3 to 25 this year, tearfully walked away from the event alongside her team, rejecting participation in the celebratory activities for the top finalists. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the process, claiming that the majority of the votes came from Myanmar supporters while the awards were distributed to contestants from Thailand and other nations. Fueled by feelings of “unfair treatment,” she decided to return her tiara and title.

Impact on the Pageant Community

The Miss Grand International pageant, established in 2013, has grown into a globally recognized event, showcasing talent, national costumes, and cultural performances. This year, the competition’s initial venue in Cambodia was changed to Thailand due to disputes involving the local franchise, highlighting ongoing tensions within the pageant industry.

As the accusations and legal implications unfold, the beauty pageant community watches closely, eager to see how these controversies will impact future competitions and the individuals involved. Will this scandal lead to sweeping changes in the beauty pageant world, or is it just the beginning of a much larger saga?