MANILA, Philippines – Miss World 2013 Megan Young has spoken out after facing criticism, particularly from netizens from Botswana and South Africa, for touching and fixing the bangs of Miss Botswana Lesego Chombo during the Q&A portion of the Miss World 2024 pageant held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India on March 9.
People from Botswana were outraged at Megan Young after she allegedly fixed the hair of Miss Botswana, who also served as the host of the mentioned competition.
The people of Botswana reportedly believe that there was "witchcraft" involved in Megan's adjustment of Miss Botswana's bangs, which they claim was the reason for her loss.
Megan should not have touched or handled Lesego's hair because it is considered a superstition in the said country; whereas in the Philippines, it's just a display of concern according to Megan. Megan claimed she was not aware of the "culturally unacceptable" act she did to Lesego and that her only intention at that moment was to help the contestant.
Megan has taken responsibility for her actions and apologized to those affected. She acknowledged that what she did could be "culturally unacceptable."
"Last night during the final, I fixed Lesego Chombo’s (Miss Botswana) hair on stage. I wanted to offer a helping hand but I failed to oversee the bigger picture. This [could] have caused distress during that moment and I have been made aware that culturally, this is unacceptable," she said in her official statement via Facebook post.
"We have spoken privately last night at the hotel and I have apologized to Lesego in private."
"To those who witnessed the incident, I also want to apologize for any discomfort or confusion my actions may have caused. It was a thoughtless and disrespectful act, and I take full responsibility for it."
"I assure you that it was not my intention to invade personal space or make anyone feel uncomfortable. I deeply regret my actions and will strive to be more mindful and respectful in the future," she reiterated.
On the other hand, Miss Botswana appealed to her fans, supporters, and fellow netizens not to criticize Megan for her actions regarding the adjustment of her hair, which apparently holds deep cultural significance for the people of Botswana. She also defended the newly crowned Miss World 2024, Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic. She said she appreciated the concern people showed for her, but it wasn't right to imply that Krystyna didn't deserve the win, and she didn't blame Megan for what happened to her.
“Batho bame, I appreciate that you are all looking out for me, but it really doesn’t make me feel good when you bring other people down in my name or for my sake. Please be kinder, please ❤️ to Krystyna, to Megan, be kinder,” she said.
Miss Botswana, along with Miss Lebanon (Yasmina Zeytoun) and Miss Trinidad and Tobago (Aché Abrahams) were the runners-up.
Philippine bet Gwendolyn Fourniol made an early exit after failing to secure a spot in the Top 40.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
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| Photo courtesy: Lesego Chombo (FB)/Missosology (FB) |
People from Botswana were outraged at Megan Young after she allegedly fixed the hair of Miss Botswana, who also served as the host of the mentioned competition.
The people of Botswana reportedly believe that there was "witchcraft" involved in Megan's adjustment of Miss Botswana's bangs, which they claim was the reason for her loss.
Megan should not have touched or handled Lesego's hair because it is considered a superstition in the said country; whereas in the Philippines, it's just a display of concern according to Megan. Megan claimed she was not aware of the "culturally unacceptable" act she did to Lesego and that her only intention at that moment was to help the contestant.
CONTROVERSIAL MEGAN YOUNG & MISS BOTSWANA DURING MISS WORLD 2024
— joelreycarcasona (@joecarcasona) March 10, 2024
In the end, Megan fixing Miss Botswana's hair shows how beauty queens support each other. They help their sisters shine on stage, and it's all about teamwork and being there for one another, beyond just looking good pic.twitter.com/thUooqsacs
Megan has taken responsibility for her actions and apologized to those affected. She acknowledged that what she did could be "culturally unacceptable."
"Last night during the final, I fixed Lesego Chombo’s (Miss Botswana) hair on stage. I wanted to offer a helping hand but I failed to oversee the bigger picture. This [could] have caused distress during that moment and I have been made aware that culturally, this is unacceptable," she said in her official statement via Facebook post.
"We have spoken privately last night at the hotel and I have apologized to Lesego in private."
"To those who witnessed the incident, I also want to apologize for any discomfort or confusion my actions may have caused. It was a thoughtless and disrespectful act, and I take full responsibility for it."
"I assure you that it was not my intention to invade personal space or make anyone feel uncomfortable. I deeply regret my actions and will strive to be more mindful and respectful in the future," she reiterated.
Last night during the final, I fixed Lesego Chombo’s (Miss Botswana) hair on stage. I wanted to offer a helping hand but...
Posted by Megan Young on Sunday, March 10, 2024
On the other hand, Miss Botswana appealed to her fans, supporters, and fellow netizens not to criticize Megan for her actions regarding the adjustment of her hair, which apparently holds deep cultural significance for the people of Botswana. She also defended the newly crowned Miss World 2024, Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic. She said she appreciated the concern people showed for her, but it wasn't right to imply that Krystyna didn't deserve the win, and she didn't blame Megan for what happened to her.
“Batho bame, I appreciate that you are all looking out for me, but it really doesn’t make me feel good when you bring other people down in my name or for my sake. Please be kinder, please ❤️ to Krystyna, to Megan, be kinder,” she said.
Miss Botswana, along with Miss Lebanon (Yasmina Zeytoun) and Miss Trinidad and Tobago (Aché Abrahams) were the runners-up.
Philippine bet Gwendolyn Fourniol made an early exit after failing to secure a spot in the Top 40.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
