Torika Watters,16, from Nadi, was crowned Miss World Fiji 2012 at the Suva Civic Centre, in Suva. Watters has Fijian, Australian and Irish background. She will represent Fiji in Miss World 2012 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia on August 18.
The first runner-up was Koini Vakaloloma and the 2nd runner-up was Tuula Aitcheson.
Aishwarya Sukhdeo, Miss World Fiji 2004, crowned her successor (she had been the first and only Fijian representative in Miss World history).
New Zealand-born supermodel Rachel Hunter was a VIP guest and judge in the pageant.
See photo gallery @ Fijilive
Newly crowned Miss World Fiji 2012, Torika Watters poses with her first runner-up Koini Vakaloloma (right) and 2nd runner-up Tuula Aitcheson
I live in Fiji and think that the person who made the first racist comment should have spoken up before Torika was crowned. She may be young but she is mature and intelligent for her age and has the beauty to back that up. She should not be classified as white as she is tanned. These comments are silly and are people saying that only Native Fijians who look like Fijians should represent Fiji. What about in the SPG,and other sporting events and competitions? Fiji will be no where if this is done. Leave Torika alone and let her make Fiji proud
The organisers say that Torika has a powerful message to tell about the effect on her of her dad committing suicide. That’s the reason the organisers obtained a waiver fm the Ms World committee to allow an underaged 16 year old schoolgirl to compete. OMG has anyone stopped to think of the effect on the poor girl of having to retell her story multiple times to people who she doesm’t even know? Has anyone stopped to ask what was the reason for the kid’s dad to commit suicide? If this poor girl is unfortunate to win the MW under the rules she has to spend a whole year doing promos in London, including telling and re-telling her story. She’ll have to postpone her schooling to do this. The paparazzi will be digging into her story, her background and everything to do with her. Isn’t this overwhelming for a poor 16 year old kid who is still mourning the death of her dad?
It is amazing to me how jealousy just wants to tear down beauty. Many of these comments do so, but Tah really exposes their ignorance. You obviously do not know this family or Torika, who is not only a beautiful looking young woman, as her mother and her sister are, but also a beautiful soul, which also runs in the family,who has the absolute right to share her powerful message if she chooses to. Did you ever think it might be good therapy and healing for her to share this and show to other young people that even though one may suffer tragedy in life, you can still excell and have joy? Her father was well loved. If Torika had the grace and strength to share this account of her life to the judges, I’m sure she can share it with the world. I’m sure she has much more to share besides this. We can all learn from her, even you Tah! Best to you Torika. All my love, Melody
Well said Soraya and John people most people never research before they comment !!! mmmm Go Torika u the best
Her age is not a big issue. Why are all the stupid critics making gossip on her being only 16. Many past MW winners were crowned below the age of 18. Miss Fiji World is beautiful & a 100% natural beauty, a perfect selection choice made by Rachel Hunter & the org. She will definitely place well at MW. Watch out for her.
Priyanka Chopra was only 17 when she won Miss India. Maturity lies in attitude, not a birth date.
yuo deserve it girl,don’t listen to what public say .have faith in you and of course you will get it.god bless.
they should have picked someone matured to represent fiji. shes still in high school. guess beauty won in the end.. always do! just like in the real world. looks sell.
Alex Mills was still in High School when she was crowned Miss World and she had just turned 18, if I remember correctly yet she wore the Miss World Crown with a great deal of grace and maturity, so please quit telling us about maturity!!!
At a young age, there are dreams to follow, maybe this is Torika’s dream to reach other people or young adults as herself…. Even though she is young, she will reach other young people not only in fiji but out in the open (other countries)…All the bets for you, Torika Watters.
*deserve*
OMG you know Miss World 2006 if i clearly recall she was still in High School wen she was crowned as Miss World there u go Miss Czech Republic – @ Torika you go girl you derserve this crown and hey bring home the Miss World crown
Well, 16 years old here in England and Wales is the age where you can make your consent so I don’t find that strange at all.
I don’t understand the nay-sayers. This girl is beautiful, fresh, charming. If she gets the right help from the organization in terms of grooming and presentation, she will absolutely make an impact at MW.
stop hating on torika!! honesty do u have nuttin better 2 do…i no her. n shes the kindest sweetest person ever n she will be 17 this yr…so buzz off…
They look fresh. I mean that in a good way! I mean they look so innocently beautiful.
If you are a follower of Miss World you will know that no contestant under the age of 18 has been crwoned MW although younger ones have competed and been placed. I have no problem with 16 and 17 year olds competing I personally view it the other way, MW does not take contestants over 25 where as MU takes them up to 27. I personally think 26 and 27 is too old for beauty pageants they should be doing something else with their lives by that age!
The concern I have with this is age . Trust the judges knew what they were doing but getting a 16 yr old against older candidates in the World pageant will be an uphill battle I think for a girl from Fiji still in high school.
I agree William NCY,I also dont like Miss Teen USA .
But i dont agree with Miss Universe dicision to allow TRANS to take part.
Tarika Watters may be just 16 but she has the rather unfortunate effect of making Rachel Hunter look positively matronly beside her!
Newly crowned Miss World Fiji 2012, Torika Watters is so beautiful, elegant and stunning.
In picture, the two runners up looks like the princesses and standing to flanked their Queen seated on the throne.
With all respect, it was not a good choice. The photo is not that good, but the runner-ups look way better than the winner, besides I like to see the Pacific islands with candidates who really look local and the winner doesn’t! Good luck, anyways!
AGE SHOUDN’T MATTER IN A PAGENT!TORIKA DESERVES THAT TITLE!CONGRATZ TOZ,HAVE A GREAT JOURNEY AHEAD:)
she looks the part and deserves the win. Its not like she paid the judges off to put a crown on herself. She was chosen by those who know this thing inside out.No wonder this was no public voting.I really wonder how many of u running your mouths to comment have actually followed the whole thing, heard her speeches and tried to know what she is really made of. and @ bbk (commented on April @ 5:31pm) u don’t have to just look beautiful but have a the brain s well. Torika-do not let any of this get to u.u have done great for a person your age and keep up the great work.
I prefer the first runner-up, Koini Vakaloloma in that pink, Ivian Sarcos inspired gown. She looks more like a beauty queen.
I even feel 17 is still young for Miss World. They are still in school at that age. Plus it’s not a modeling contest where they would have to be that young.
So what’s the deal, is she going to turn 17 before Miss World?
Does Miss World have established age criteria? In Miss Universe, it’s very clear, you have to be 18 and under 27 by February 1 of the year you compete.
She can´t go to the pageant. She hasn´t the age.
the runner-ups looks way better
the runners-up look way better … and she is only 16, so young for such a responsability … anyway good luck for Fiji, nice to have this kind of countries back.
The thing that bothers me about Miss World is the tendacy to crown 16 year olds. In the USA, this is still consider a minor. And the though of a 16 year old parading in a skimpy bikini in front of old men. It sends a wrong message. Pageants should only be for females over the age of 18 regardless of the pageant system.
William, I see your point and do agree, however, Miss Teen USA has the girls parading around in skimpy bikinis as well, and they’re often more risque than the bikinis at Miss World.
I never like the Miss Teen USA. I visit a very popular pageant message board in the USA, and when the topic turns to Miss Teen USA, I never comment. It’s so odd, I’m over 30 and it’s not right. I’m glad Miss Teen USA is off the air.
And I’m far from being conservative, since I agree with Miss Universe decision to allow transgender to compete at Miss Universe.
i feel a lot more uncomfortable with the kiddie beauty pageants which are very popular in america and are now catching on in other countries. girls of 5 or 6 dressed up as mini barbies and wearing makeup parading around has to be more of a problem than a 17 year old wearing a bikini
Miss Austria 2000 was 16 years old. And in the wee ages of Miss Universe, the contestants were mostly teenagers.