No drama for Mrs S'pore Global Universe 2nd runner-up who was 'judged fairly' without buying tables
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Amid the recent brouhaha around pageants in Singapore, one beauty queen wants to share a positive experience to clear the air.
Stomper Ferdyna Tan, 41, said she does not agree with recent allegations made by Sangeetha Sangar about Lumiere International Pageantry 'forcing' contestants to buy banquet tables.
"I am one of the living proofs… I was judged fairly," the former model said.
According to Ferdyna, she did not buy any tables as none of her loved ones could make the finals. In addition, she had been facing financial difficulties and could not afford a full table.
She only purchased one seat for her male model partner – a friend from her modelling days – who needed to walk with her on stage for the final.
"Everyone knows (this)," said Ferdyna.
"I also didn't sign up for the full modelling course because I am already a former model," said the single mother, who graduated from the Sydney Model and Etiquette College.
Stomp's checks revealed that the college was founded in 1993 and offers etiquette courses for individuals as young as twelve years old, with the mission of "providing guidance on presenting oneself effectively in a constantly evolving world".
Ferdyna even chose not to purchase new heels, as she already owned a pair of red ones.
She did not pay for any subsidiary awards either, instead giving her best in the talent segment, where she chose to perform Javanese dance.
"Anyway, everything is optional. You have the choice to quit the pageant if you think it's a scam," the Stomper said.
The only thing Ferdyna paid for was a full range of skincare products, which cost her around $1,000, as she needed them. Her trainer from Sydney Model and Etiquette College and her siblings then helped to sponsor her advertisements.
Mrs Singapore Global Universe 2024 was not the first Lumiere International Pageantry event that Ferdyna took part in. She was also a finalist in Miss Singapore Lumiere International World 2017, but had to drop out a week before the finals due to family issues.
"Even in 2017, I didn't pay anything. I only got sponsors for my advertisement," she explained.
'Lumiere has always been kind to me'
"I know I performed well during the pre-judging and catwalk since I have modelling experience," Ferdyna told Stomp about her performance last year.
That said, she was genuinely surprised when she was named the second runner-up.
The former model and beauty queen feels that there "must be a reason" for Ms Sangar's public dethronement.
"An organiser would not create drama without any purpose."
She emphasised that she does not know Ms Sangar personally, and only found out about her dethronement online via Lumiere International Pageantry's Facebook statement.
"Lumiere has always been kind to me," said Ferdyna, who also shared her account in a Facebook post on Dec 14, tagging Lumiere International Pageantry's founder, Justina Quek, and vice president Hui Lin Tan.
"Everyone has different experiences, maybe they took theirs negatively," said Ferdyna, who hopes that her story can show people the positive side of pageantry.
She added: "Not everything is negative."
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