The Miss Universe Organisation has cut ties with its franchise in Indonesia and will cancel an upcoming pageant in Malaysia after several contestants accused local organisers of sexual harassment.
Six contestants of a Miss Universe Indonesia pageant recently filed complaints with police, alleging that local organisers asked them to strip to their underwear for “body checks” for scars or cellulite. The contestants say about two dozen people, including men, were present in the room, and five contestants allege that topless photographs were taken of them.
The New York-based Miss Universe Organisation released a statement saying it had decided to sever ties with the beauty company that runs the Indonesia pageant– PT Capella Swastika Karya– and the company’s National Director, Poppy Capella.
“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics or expectations,” the Miss Universe Organisation posted on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We also want to make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”
“To the women who came forward from the Indonesia pageant– we’re sorry that this was your experience with our organisation. We appreciate your bravery in speaking out, and we pledge to do better in the future.”
The organisation also announced they’ll be cancelling Miss Universe Malaysia 2023 and making arrangements for the Indonesia 2023 titleholder, Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld, to compete in this year’s Miss Universe pageant, to be held in El Salvador in November.
In a statement on Instagram, Capella denied her involvement in the physical examination during the contest and said she doesn’t condone any form of sexual harassment.
“I, as the national director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia licence, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 process to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote.
Police are understood to be examining surveillance cameras from the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant, interviewing the alleged victims and providing psychological assistance.