Miss Universe Cuts Ties with Indonesian Franchisee Following Harassment Claims
The Miss Universe Organization has taken decisive action in response to serious allegations of sexual harassment involving its Indonesian franchisee.
In a move aimed at ensuring the safety and respect of contestants, the organization has announced the termination of its contract with PT Capella Swastika Karya and its national director, Poppy Capella, who is also in charge of Miss Universe Malaysia.
This decision comes after six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants came forward with complaints of sexual harassment, including inappropriate “body checks.”
These allegations have prompted the Miss Universe Organization to sever ties, stating that the franchise failed to uphold their expected standards and ethics as outlined in their guidelines and code of conduct.
The safety and well-being of women are of paramount importance to the Miss Universe Organization.
The organization emphasized that creating a secure environment for all participants is their top priority.
The Jakarta police are expected to investigate the allegations, though they have not yet provided an official comment on the matter.
Poppy Capella, the national director and license owner for Miss Universe Indonesia, issued a statement on Instagram condemning any form of sexual harassment.
“I emphasize that I, as the national director and license owner for Miss Universe Indonesia, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who plays a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit sexual harassment through body checking as reported,” she said.
The Jakarta contest, which aimed to select Indonesia’s representative for the annual Miss Universe competition, has been overshadowed by these allegations.
The international organization has also announced a review of its policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Notably, the Miss Universe pageant does not impose specific measurement or body dimension requirements for contestants worldwide.
As the organization takes these steps to address the situation, it is clear that a commitment to respect, dignity, and safety remains at the forefront of the Miss Universe mission.
The focus now shifts to ensuring a more secure and respectful environment for all participants in the pageant.
Miss Universe Cuts Ties with Indonesian Franchisee Following Harassment Claims
