Miss Fiji row erupts as current, former queens speak out weeks before Pacific Islands pageant

A public dispute between the Miss Fiji Pageant committee and the nation's reigning queen, Dr Peggy Ravusiro, has sparked widespread reaction from current and former queens.

The fallout raises concerns about governance and transparency, and comes just weeks before the country hosts the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant.

Ravusiro, who was crowned Miss Fiji last month, confirmed this week that she will not represent the nation at the regional competition.

The 24-year-old says she did not reach an agreement with pageant organisers over contract terms she believes do not protect her legal rights, well-being or reputation.

First runner-up Ailava Samuels has been appointed as Fiji’s representative.

Ravusiro told journalists the explanation that she failed to sign the contract within the required timeframe was only partly accurate.

Watch Miss Fiji Pageant director Ana Tuiketei's announcement below.

“The official reason given by the Miss Fiji Pageant organisers is that I declined to sign the Miss Fiji contract within the required timeframe. This is correct in part,” she says.

Ravusiro says she sought clarification and amendments to what she described as standard contractual provisions, including protections against legal and financial exposure in cases of misconduct or reputational harm.

“I did not sign the contract as presented because I sought clarification and amendments to the contract in order to protect my legal rights, my well-being, and my reputation as a contestant and public figure."

Watch Dr Peggy Ravusiro explain why she stepped aside below.

She says the Miss Fiji Pageant lawyers advised they would not amend the contract and would instead offer the role to her runner-up.

Among Ravusiro's concerns was a clause requiring her to indemnify the Miss Fiji Pageant and its representatives against all losses, damages, and claims.

She also sought a termination provision that would allow her to exit the agreement if organisers or representatives engaged in misconduct that could damage her reputation.

Ravusiro says confidentiality clauses further concerned her, as she believed they prevented her from seeking independent legal advice on a binding agreement.

The Miss Fiji Pageant contract has not been made public and organisers have not released details of its specific provisions.

“I engaged with the organisers in good faith, but there were no meetings or negotiations to discuss my concerns. Many of my questions were left unanswered, and my attempts to seek clarity were interpreted as disrespect or attitude.”

Watch former Miss Fiji and Pacific Islands Alisi Rabukawaqa call for fairness amid the row.

Ravusiro described the experience as distressing and says inappropriate remarks were made about her body, attitude and character in a space meant to empower women.

She has not publicly identified who made the remarks. “Asking questions and advocating for fair treatment should never be seen as disrespect,” she says.

Ravusiro thanked supporters across Fiji, including Team Labasa and fellow municipal queens, and wished her runner-up well.

Miss Fiji Pageant director Ana Tuiketei confirmed the appointment of Samuels as Fiji’s representative to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2026, saying the decision was driven by timing and registration requirements.

“The pageant is four weeks away and registrations have already closed,” she told journalists. “After discussions with the national titleholder, she was unable to take up the role. Dr Peggy Ravusiro formally declined to enter into a contractual agreement with the Miss Fiji Secretariat.”

Watch as Miss Suva Rhyelle Aisea, who finished as Second Runner-up in the Miss Fiji pageant last month, stands with Ravusiro amid the row.

Tuiketei says the Secretariat had a responsibility to ensure Fiji was represented by someone available and prepared.

She did not directly address Ravusiro’s claims regarding contract negotiations or allegations about her treatment.

PMN News has sought further comment from Tuiketei on Ravusiro’s claims about the negotiation process, contractual protections, and alleged remarks, but had not received a response at the time of publication.

The dispute has prompted strong public reaction across social media, with Facebook reels posted by the reigning Miss Fiji, Miss Suva Hibiscus, and a former Miss Pacific Islands queen drawing widespread attention.

The videos vary in tone, reflect unease within the pageant community, and highlight concerns around transparency, treatment of contestants, and governance.

The views expressed are personal opinions and have not been independently verified.

The controversy comes at a sensitive moment for Fiji, which is preparing to host the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant next month - a major regional event celebrating Pacific culture, leadership, and unity.

Some pageant observers, including former titleholders and community figures, say the domestic fallout risks overshadowing the lead-up to the competition and placing organisers under increased scrutiny.

Miss Fiji Dr Peggy Ravusiro with reigning Miss Pacific Islands Litara Ieremia-Allan who was a guest at last month's Miss Fiji Pageant in Suva. Photo/Miss Fiji Pageant

Miss Pacific Islands Litara Ieremia-Allan from Sāmoa attended the Miss Fiji Pageant in Suva last month.

The Fiji fallout also comes on the heels of the Solomon Islands' withdrawal from the Miss Pacific Pageant. The Solomons Pageant announced it would not send a delegate to Fiji over concerns from last year in Honiara being "unresolved and have damaged trust" in the competition.

With regional delegates set to arrive in Nadi within weeks, how the Miss Fiji Pageant committee manages the aftermath and addresses calls for clearer contractual standards may shape public confidence.

Observers say this is not just in the national pageant, but in Fiji’s hosting of one of the Pacific’s most high-profile cultural events.

The weeklong Miss Pacific Islands Pageant gets underway on 13 February in Nadi. Confirmed contestants include Miss Sāmoa Feagaimaali’i Soti Mapu, Miss Papua New Guinea Iampela Popena, Miss American Sāmoa Tofoipupu Unutoa, Miss Tonga Sioai’ana Patricia Taumoepeau, and Miss Micronesia (Kiribati) Atiterentaai Rinimarawa.