The champion of Miss Plus Size Universe, Miss Grenada Samantha Harris, and the Second Runner-Up & Campaign Queen, Miss Nigeria Kanat Bonat, won’t receive their prize money.
Pageant director Pearl Williams cited a contract breach by both contestants during an interview on WEFM’s Activated Mornings Program on Wednesday, January 3, stating they violated the terms by publicly denouncing the show as a scam.
Williams highlighted the pageant’s longstanding history, noting international directors and customary winner contracts. She asserted that signing the contract is essential for reigning as a winner and upholding brand standards.
“You must reign as a winner, if you refuse to sign that contract, legally we have no ties with you because we are saying that not because you win a pageant, you go out with our brand, go to the bar, go to where you want, go to barbeques, go all about…. And take our brand to a place that has no standard,” she stated.
Williams clarified their commitment to aligning delegates with nonprofits to address societal challenges.
In an earlier interview with ANN, Harris and Bonat claimed they felt deceived, alleging abrupt changes in prize money explanations by the promoter.
Post-pageant, only trophies and crowns were received, with the promised prize ceremony postponed twice, now rescheduled for February 24, 2024.
During her interview on Activated Mornings, Williams addressed the last-minute prize change accusation, attributing it to an erroneous release of figures to contestants instead of sponsors.
While claiming an apology letter was sent, the contestants stated no receipt of such correspondence.
ANN obtained the initial document sent to contestants outlining the potential prizes for the 2023 pageant. It detailed the winner receiving an educational scholarship valued at EC$175,000, EC$20,000 in cash, and EC$2,500 in fashion gifts and prizes. Similarly, the second prize included an educational scholarship of EC$75,000, EC$10,000 in cash, and EC$1,500 in fashion gifts and prizes. Third place was set to receive an educational scholarship of EC$40,000, EC$5,000 in cash, and EC$500 in fashion gifts and prizes.
Additionally, the document mentioned that the People’s Choice Queen, Campaign Queen, and Lifetime Queen would each be awarded EC$10,000, EC$5,000, and $2,000 EC respectively as First, Second, and Third prizes.
Williams told Activated Mornings listeners and hosts that the pageant is well structured in terms of prizes, and clarified that the winner will receive US$10,000.
The pageant organiser accused Harris of non-compliance, alleging she declined to sign the winner’s contract due to the absence of prize money on the show night, contrary to prior agreements.
The pageant promoter said that a prize giving ceremony/cocktail will be held on February 24, 2024 at the Grenadine House Hotel, however, following the interview’s broadcast, Grenadine House Hotel distanced itself from Williams and the event through a released statement, refuting any affiliation.