THE Miss Fiji Pageant committee has denied allegations of bullying and colourism, stating that no formal complaints were made to suggest any contestant was mistreated throughout the pageant.
Pageant director Ana Tuiketei-Bolabiu said this while responding to claims by Miss Fiji Dr Peggy Ravusiro that she was bullied and subjected to colourism.
Dr Ravusiro also claimed Ms Tuiketei-Bolabiu told her to “lose more weight” and that some committee members made remarks about her ethnicity.
“I did not tell Dr Peggy Ravusiro to lose more weight,” Ms Tuiketei-Bolabiu said.
She said the pageant promotes a holistic approach to fitness, focusing on mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing rather than physical appearance alone.
“One thing that we promote, and Miss Ailava Samuels will also say this, is that you need to get fit. That fitness is not just physical.
“It’s mental fitness, mental fortitude, because there’s a lot of high pressure and stress. It’s also spiritual and emotional fitness. At the end of the day, there is only one winner.”
Ms Tuiketei-Bolabiu said contestants were encouraged to share feedback, but no concerns about bullying or discrimination were raised.
She also rejected claims of ethnic remarks.
“If you enter the Miss Fiji Pageant, you have to be a Fijian citizen, and we do not say those types of things. We do not entertain that somebody is not as Fijian as they should be.”
Ms Tuiketei-Bolabiu highlighted the pageant’s diversity, noting that Miss Fiji Ailava Samuels is of Samoan and Fijian descent.
“Our door is open to meet with Dr Peggy and her group to talk.
“And for those calling for my resignation, this is all voluntary work. So, we will continue to rally behind our team Fiji to the Miss Pacific Island Pageant 2026.”
