19 JAN 2023

Was Miss Universe 2022 Rigged?

AYAAN PAUL CHOWDHURY

The controversy

Photo: Getty Images

Miss Universe has been slapped with rigging allegations after Miss USA won the pageant.

the winner

Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel was crowned winner at this year's Miss Universe pageant.

Photo: Getty Images

short-lived JOY

The win however, was met with criticism from internet trolls and other contestants, who claimed it was rigged.

Photo: Getty Images

a stolen crown

They accused of Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel of buying her win over the second runner-up, Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martinez.

Photo: Getty Images

disapPointment

American rapper Cardi B took to Instagram to record her dismay over the crowned winner.

Photo: Instagram/CardiB

miss montana fires

Spearheaded by Miss Montana, USA Heather Lee O'Keefe, allegations that the contest had been fixed went viral on social media.

Photo: Twitter

more of the same

Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel fought similar allegations following her Miss USA pageant win in October 2022.

Photo: Instagram/R'BonneyGabriel

the response

R'Bonney Gabriel responded to those allegations saying, "I would never enter any pageant or any competition that I know I would win."

Photo: Getty Images

the owner

The Thai CEO of Miss Universe Organization Anne Jakrajutatip has called the allegations false and misleading.

Photo: Getty Images

the company

Her company, JKN Global owns both Miss Universe as well as Miss USA pageant organisations.

Photo: Getty Images

false claims

Jakrajutatip has said that an indepndent third-party law firm's investiagtions have found the allegations to be false.

Photo: Instagram/AnneJakrajutatip