MELBOURNE, April 27 (Asian News International): Newly crowned Miss World Fiji 2012 Torika Watters has sparked outrage in the country – initially because she is only 16 and now because she does not look “native” enough.
Schoolgirl Watters – who is of mixed European/ Fijian heritage – has been criticised since beating a bevy of full-blooded indigenous women to win the beauty title on the weekend.
Further, the fact that the competition was overseen by New Zealand supermodel Rachel Hunter and other non-Fijian judges has added to the controversy, News.com.au reported.
The ugly race row has even included attacks on Watters’ hair, with many claiming the model chosen to represent the island nation should have a “buiniga” – the local word used to describe the naturally-fuzzy Fijian hairstyle.
Hundreds of hateful comments had to be deleted from the official Miss World Fiji Facebook page.
A pageant spokeswoman said the harsh criticism would in no way affect the decision.
“In the past few days, there has been nothing but negative criticism and remarks from our own people,” she posted on the Facebook site.
“Instead of bringing all the wrong attention to our brand and country, why not start supporting our ambassador, building her up and praying that she impacts the world with her story?
“Fiji has received enough negative press already, shouldn’t this be one for making up for lost ground?
“Our forefathers promoted unity and respect and, sadly, in our society today this is not evident (among) many who call themselves proud Fijians,” she added.
Racial division is deep-seated in Fiji’s social and political history.
The debate about Watters’ age was sparked by Rose Foulger, who runs the Miss World New Zealand pageant and claimed the Fijian selection was a breach of the Miss World regulation rules.
Chief judge Hunter – the former wife of rocker Rod Stewart – hit back, saying she was 16 herself when first scouted as the “Tip Top” girl.
The Miss World 2012 pageant will take place in Ordos, Inner Mongolia on August 18. (ANI)
I am sure if Torika is placed @ the world finals then it will shut there bloody mouth nonsense,as Fiji born myself with NZ passport people still call me a Fijian what difference it brings people in Fiji are heartless
Everyone that lives in Fiji is Fijian – everyone that lives in New Zealand are New Zealanders whats the difference come on Fiji support your beautiful girl – there are so many mixed cultures in this world now we should all embrace our cultures.
And if she does well Fiji how will the people of Fiji cope with that ??
Luis said everything, when we say that european countries sometimes liek denmark send more non native delegates people complais but when is teh opposite is not not mentioned
Just let her compete…as long as she is a Fijian citizen she has every right to represent the country…
i am sue she is lovely girl maybe she should die her hair black. lol
I hate how her teeth look, not cute.
Miss Puerto Rico Universe I not from Puerto Rico She is dominican and Holland… But she love Puerto Rico and she live here so many years ago…. So this girl love Fiji and i think so represent Fiji good
Her father is Dutch and her mother is Dominican. She was raised in Puerto Rico since she was 5. That is enough to make her Puerto Rican. Just like Natalie Glebova winning for Canada.
If a non-competitive bi-racial delegate was crowned, would it have been so noteworthy? She is beautiful, has Fijian blood and had she waited till 18-19, none of this may have occurred. This lovely girl should enter Miss New Zealand Universe in the future. Once again, she did nothing wrong, she played by the rules and she won! Support her Fiji!
In Fiji if u choose local judges they choose who they know to win not the one that deserve the crown , in this matter international judges is perfect coz they choose they know that has potential to promote Fiji
This girl is lovely and will her country proud, I think it is disgraceful what is happening – leave the girl alone.
i also agree, why are the judges all international judges?? seriously they shouldve had more local fijian judges with the exception of maybe one or two outsiders to judge the event.
Miss Japan and China Universe had international judges to judge their pageants; as they realize the contestant picked to compete at Miss Universe will have to appeal to an international panel.
The Fijian organizers probably realize for Fiji to have a shot at the Miss World crown, the contestants shoulder also have a wider and more worldly appeal.
So white=international, Fijian= less worldly appeal KL???.
Well, yes. It may not be right or fair, that is the way it is and it is politically correct and unrealistic if you like to deny that it is so.
Then again, I don’t see China or Japan sending any White contestants to any of the major pageants lately and none of them look white to me.
so? when a black girl wins en Europe if we complaint we are called racist and when things happens the other way round they arent racist?
People of Fiji! She is Fijian period!! otherwise she won’t be allowed to compete or the crown. Stop the bull crap about age and ethnicity and support her. I that asking for oo much and a little bit of sense!! Ugh!!
She is so beautiful and stunning, more than deserves to crowned as Queen.
The runners up princesses looks ugly.
This is a tough call because those whom have mixed ancestry and look more Western should not be prevented from participating nor winning. It is when the country in question only seems to elect winners who have more of an European look; instead of having participants of all races. As for her age, I believe other countries cheat in regards to this issue.
What a shame. Racism is just ugly.
@ bbk Torika the winner mum’s is Fijian end of this story secondly the 1st Runner is Indian gal adopted to a Fijian Family make matters worse all the previous Miss Fiji to Miss South Pacific don’t have the so called Buiniga ” I am Fiji born and I know what i am talking about even thou i am based overseas and i do speak more Fijian Language and dilect compared to those contestants so It makes me more Fijian NOT ” @ the end of the day she won and will let her compete as Miss Fiji as Miss Fiji World 2004 Dr Aishwarya is full blooded Indian they didn’t make a fuss when she compete ‘you know why because she paid her own way there from her parents support
Miss World’s rules are that she must turn 17 by December 31 of this year. I am sure that she is well within the rules. Sad that she is being put through all of this.
She is way too young to go to Miss World.
There have been a lot of 16-year olds in Miss World. And in 2000, Miss Austria was 15 years old.
I don’t believe she deserved to win and I am not even native Fijian. The runners up are better suited to represent the people of Fiji. She is only 16 and Miss World age is 17-25.Her first runner up should get the title. Its only fair.