MBGN 2011 Was Not Free and Fair’ – Contestant

By Victoria Ige

To fully understand what went on behind the scenes at this year’s edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant, our editors spoke with a contestant who made it to the final stage. Assured that we’ll protect her identity, she opened up on all the allegations, giving a powerful insight into what many of us are trying to understand and unravel…

NET: How much was the MBGN form?

Contestant: 5k

NET: Cool

NET: Do you have an idea how many contestants entered, before they chose the final 34?

Contestant: They said all together 500. Then shortlisted 200. Then After that they chose 34

NET :So what’s the screening process like?

NET: What happened after you go the form? How were you guys trimmed down?

Contestant: The first screening was swim suit. Then composure, skin, beauty, height, teeth, poise then how fluent you speak. For the form they asked for our WAEC certificate and passport. Trimming down was due to the drilling. Waking up 5am then going back to the room for 11:30pm. It also involved exercises and reduction of food.

NET: Wow! For how many days?

Contestant: The only break we had was if we are supposed to go for lunch.

NET: Okay

NET: All these At Eko hotel?

Contestant: Yes, for 10 days

NET: So what did drilling involve? What were you doing all day till 11pm?

Contestant: But they took us to the movies ooo… KFC, National Museum and other places. But that was just a day groove. And immediately we got back we went back to practice

NET: What kind of practice?

Contestant: Cat walking, dance rehearsal and how to address the audience

NET: Where were you doing these? Which hall?

Contestant: Sun food, the small hall after the lobby

NET: So who were the judges at this time? Who were with you?

Contestant: Princewill, Susan Peters, Juilet

Contestant: The girl who won miss universe didn’t come for the Lagos audition

NET: Really? How does that work

Contestant: She did in Abuja but Lagos she didn’t come

NET: So when did she join you guys?

Contestant: After we all finished

NET: Is that supposed to be right?

Contestant: Very wrong

NET: Who’s miss universe? Is that Miss Bayelsa?

Contestant: Yes

NET: So from beginning you guys knew she had an arrangement? Was she the one boasting?

Contestant: It was another contestant that even noticed

NET: But you guys all became friends in camp? Or were there cliques?

Contestant : Sorry the girl that was boosting is Miss Kastina

NET: Oh okay.

Contestant: She tried to mingle.. But the special attention was given to her

NET: Okay

NET: She knew the organisers? Or was she sponsored?

NET: Then the people that allegedly paid money (Taraba and Bayelsa) who do you think they paid to? It certainly can’t be the Murray-Bruces, right? Do you think the judges knew about this?

Contestant: We heard that she’s from a rich home so anything can happen

Contestant: I’m sure the judges didn’t know because they are outsiders: But the insiders I’m sure they knew

NET: Okay

NET: But did Miss Taraba boast too that she would win? Was she confident?

Contestant: I even heard that Guy said judges didn’t have any final say

NET: Yes, That was in Punch last Saturday

Contestant: Miss Taraba was coded. Very coded

NET: Really? So you were shocked when she won?

Contestant: I wasn’t shocked because she said it to our face that ‘e go shock una‘. She spoke Pidgin English throughout. And some people said they knew that she was going to win

NET: I hear she can speak English!

Contestant: No!!! She can’t construct well o.

NET: How did they know?

Contestant: Walls have ears

NET: And she bungled the question they asked her right?

Contestant: Yes. Also, her cat walk is bad; her skin is terrible thank God for photo shop

NET: Wow. But Is she intelligent? Would you say she is?

Contestant: No!!!!!!!

NET: So what was the question she bungled at the finals?

Contestant: What does MBGN mean to you?

NET: What was her response?

Contestant: ‘Enmh emh.. Lol I means confidence.. Confidence… Poise…’

NET: Ha

Contestant: Then they gave her time to think again. She failed. Afterwards, Guy Bruce said something to her ear

NET: Really? What did he say?

Contestant: That we don’t know ooo hmmm. But in short, it was not free and fair

NET: Who in your opinion should have won?

Contestant: I would say excluding me, nobody. But I will give Miss Lagos sha. She tried too and her cat walk was good

NET: Okay. Do you think there were affairs during camp? Cases of contestants sleeping with crew members?

Contestant: Yes. But that cannot be said or proven now

NET: Did anyone ask you out? Or made passes at you?

Contestant: It was only after the final screening that I worked hard for. Then two guys came: one from the judges; he came to meet me and asked how do I feel and he was all smiles but I didn’t give him face so I guess he read the message. Then the other one I think he’s a senior staff there; he was looking like a thief. And asked for my name and number and I said ‘I’m tired’.

NeT: Lol

NET: Did you guys confront the organisers with your concerns about rigging after the show?

Contestant: Unfortunately, no

NET: Did any of the other contestants break down, cry, throw a tantrum or try to raise hell?

Contestant: Cry? Yes!!! Akwa ibom cried!! Others were angry. Me I was just smiling

Contestant: Then one thing: they selected states for them?

NET: Yeah why was that so? Is that the MBGN culture?

Contestant: They wrote the ‘in house’ contestant’s number on the state they wanted to give out. So I guess that was why they chose states for us

NET: Did you guys confront the organisers with your concerns about rigging after the show?

Contestant: Hmm No

NET: Do you regret contesting?

Contestant: There’s no regret at all o!

NET: With what you know now, would you consider contesting again?

Contestant: I will never contest again

NET: so tell us, how did you guys get your costumes? Make up, styling, clothes n all?

Contestant: Costumes and dinner dresses were from us; ours. Make up was from them (Select Pro).

NET: They gave you allowances for those? Or you had to buy yourself?

Contestant: Nothing at all!!! In fact, anything you want to buy outside the camp has to be from ‘occasion and events’. Everything was just within the Silverbird people. Didn’t look good at all.

NET: Thanks for the insight. Be assured. We won’t mention your name or reveal your identity.