Controversial misadventures at Miss World Canada

This year’s 2015 combined Mister and Miss World Canada pageant proved to be more controversial than 2013’s pageant, which included a top 5 voting mix-up and a co-host that was said to be drinking backstage during the show.

At this year’s crowning gala, held at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre, some delegates walked out in the middle of the show and refused to return to the stage. One male delegate, Rohain Arora, refused to accept his awards and later got into a tussle for the microphone with Mister World Canada 2014 and co-host, Jin Stewart. Arora was cheered on as he explained why he didn’t accept his awards. An emotional Rohain Arora told the crowd that it wasn’t all about winning for him. “I just wanted to be able to participate in something and be able to showcase who I am. And I wanted equal representation for each one of the candidates over here. And that was not given.”

After the pageant, numerous accusations were made against the Miss World Canada Organization. Many upset delegates claimed they were not treated fairly and that the pageant winners were predetermined prior to the crowning gala. One delegate, Simran Kapoor, vented her frustration with the Miss World Canada Organization and called the pageant disorganized and unethical. Other delegates and their families went as far as to call the Miss World Canada pageant a money making scam and questioned where ticket sales and their entry fees went.

For years there has been speculation of the problems within Miss World Canada under the management of CEO and Chairman Ike Lalji.

Initially, many delegates were quick to share their stories. However, mostly all of them confided that they feared of being legally charged by the Miss World Canada Organization for speaking out. They claimed that when joining the pageant, they had to sign a contract which said that they were not allowed to say anything bad about Miss World Canada. We did not hear back from many of those delegates.

Nonetheless, defiant and refusing to hide behind anonymity, three delegates spoke to us and declared that they want to see Miss World Canada make a change in management. 2015 MWC delegates Maryam Nissan, Ruby Chopra and Luan Wei reached out to MetroVan Independent News to share their personal experiences with the pageant.

Ruby Chopra said, “I’m standing up and speaking out because I want to raise awareness about how this pageant was organized. I do so in hopes that future contestants won’t be mislead by the Miss World Canada motto ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ like I feel I was.”

“I’m standing up and speaking out because I want to raise awareness about how this pageant was organized. I do so in hopes that future contestants won’t be mislead by the Miss World Canada motto ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ like I feel I was.”

The Pageant Experience

When joining the pageant, each chosen girl is given a Miss World Canada Delegate Handbook which welcomes the girls on a “journey of a lifetime” and provides instructions on how to pay the required $2800 entry fee ($2400 for the early bird special).

According to the 2015 Miss World Canada Delegate Handbook introduction, the Miss World pageant is the largest and most prestigious pageant in the world. The handbook also says that the Miss World pageant’s televised version is the world’s most watched program with higher ratings than the Olympics.

The delegates are then told that by simply participating in the Miss World Canada pageant they will gain a powerful identity. “You will receive recognition that may open doors to unlimited opportunities… …Use these opportunities to brand yourself with prestige, dignity – and to make your dreams come true.”

Provided in the Delegate Handbook are outlines of the different aspects of the pageant, from judging criteria to sponsorship advice and gives the girls an idea of what to expect when taking part in Miss World Canada.

A breakdown of what is included in the delegates’ required $2800 entry fee is provided and is said to include things like breakfast, lunch & dinner each day, transportation from and to the airport, tour excursions, life skills, coaching, training, and seminars.

For many 2015 Miss World Canada Delegates, their pageant experience may have not been the “journey of a lifetime” they expected.

A Miss World Canada 2015 Press Conference was held on the first day of Pageant Week. Ruby Chopra was disappointed. “Our “Press Conference” was a huge joke because no press even showed up,” she said. “It was just a huge photo shoot session.”

There were claims that the delegates were not always fed properly during Pageant Week. Those with special dietary preferences (like being vegetarian or gluten-free) were apparently left hungry and had limited to no options. One delegate who has Crohn’s disease was said to have been so frustrated with his experience that he quit and left a day before the pageant.

For out of town delegates from other parts of Canada, tour excursions of beautiful Vancouver, BC seemed like an exciting venture. “Never went on any,” claims Maryam Nissan. “The closest I got to a tour was the bus ride to our sponsors which happened to be downtown.”

Life skills, coaching, training and seminars were to be provided to the delegates. “I was told I’d have development training by world-class trainers like Anthony Robbins. Instead, we were given public YouTube links on Anthony Robbins, Deepak Chopra and Oprah via email,” said Nissan. “While some videos were inspiring, I wasn’t exactly expecting a public YouTube link to a video as my training.”

“I was told I’d have development training by world-class trainers like Anthony Robbins.  Instead, we were given public YouTube links on Anthony Robbins, Deepak Chopra and Oprah via email.”

Transportation to the airport was also to be included within each delegate’s entry fee. However, on the final day, it was claimed that quite a few delegates were forced to make their own arrangements to the airport to catch their flights on time. One visiting delegate from out of town confirms this and tells us that she had to pay roughly $50 for a taxi to the airport.

Disorganization and a seeming lack of support seem to be contributing factors to this year’s unfortunate pageant experiences. Back in 2013 and 2014, there were a number of volunteers and sponsors who assisted with Miss World Canada. According to a volunteer, there were 7 chaperones for the 42 delegates in 2014. This year, the number apparently dwindled down to only 2 chaperones to liaise an even greater amount of delegates at 60 combined Mister and Miss World Canada delegates.

“For me personally,” Maryam says, “I never cared for winning from the beginning. I just wanted to experience it and help out others in the process. The thing I’m annoyed about is that, I can’t even look back and be happy with my experience as a Miss World Canada delegate.”

“The thing I’m annoyed about is that, I can’t even look back and be happy with my experience as a Miss World Canada delegate.”

The Main Event: The Crowning Gala

The four-and-a-half hour combined Mister and Miss World Canada 2015 Crowning Gala at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre was described by delegate Simran Kapoor as “a complete gongshow.” “What an absolute embarrassment!” she ranted on her Facebook account.

While it may have been expected that a pageant with an emphasis on charitable giving and the motto “Beauty with a Purpose” would have done more to feature what purpose it had, a large portion of the Crowning Gala had the feel of a local talent show. It seemed that more emphasis was given to local performers than to showcase the delegates themselves and what they represented.

Two separate dance groups, took to the stage to perform their dance routines. One local singer (and Q&A host) sang three songs and even gave a speech after she received a crown and sash when being recognized as the first recipient of a new Goodwill Ambassador award from the Miss World Canada Organization. Singer (and preliminary competition judge), Zya Mou, sang two songs (though she awkwardly left the stage after her first attempt to sing her second song because of a technical glitch). Local singer songwriter Bodhi Jones (who was supposed to provide background music for the delegates as they were to be judged on their evening gown presentations), sang cover songs and was featured at the front of the stage while the delegates appeared to have a supporting role. Seemingly keen to promote Bodhi Jones, a show host encouraged the audience to buy Jones’ CDs located in the lobby of the venue a number of times during the night.

“I feel sorry for the candidates that traveled across the country and didn’t get proper recognition and introduction,” said one person who attended the crowning gala. “It was a very bad production….bad coordination! It was very unprofessionally done.”

“I feel sorry for the candidates that traveled across the country and didn’t get proper recognition and introduction,” said one person who attended the crowning gala. “It was a very bad production….bad coordination! It was very unprofessionally done.”

While the two choreographed dance numbers performed by the 2015 Miss World Canada Delegates were fun and entertaining (their International Costume presentation in particular), their performances were overshadowed by the amount of time given to the performances of local artists and of course the frequent setbacks and problems on stage.

Visible confusion on what to do was apparent from delegates, hosts, and award presenters while on stage during the night. No time more so than when Mister World Canada 2015 Delegate Rohain Arora stood stone-faced shaking his head refusing to accept his awards from one of the presenters and ensuing boos from the audience.

Rohian Arora caused even more of a stir when he later grabbed the microphone from host and Mister World Canada 2014, Jin Stewart, to explain why he didn’t accept his awards. Arora explained to the audience that he was speechless when he first learned he would be participating in Mister World Canada. But then he says “it turned out to be nothing that I expected.” Stewart tried to take back the microphone but Arora held tight saying “I should be able to speak,” and was cheered on by the crowd. He went on to reveal that equal representation was not given to all the delegates. “I cannot be part of something that I cannot agree with. I’m a very genuine and honest person and I cannot compromise who I am.”

Mid-show, some delegates took the liberty of walking off the stage and didn’t return.

The family of one of the contestants told us that from their point of view, it seemed like the pageant’s crowning gala was put together with no effort. “Everything right from the start to mid and finale felt like there was no communication whatsoever. Only a few girls were given representation while the rest of them were made to stand at the back. I was expecting something better in entertainment and quality but none was shown on stage that night.”

Volunteer Show Director, Jackie Diy, revealed that throughout the night, she was given specific instructions from Miss World Canada CEO & Chairman Ike Lalji and his son, Sean Lalji. Ike Lalji’s Miss World Canada Executive Assistant, Dina Baychurina (who was not present during the gala), apparently also gave major instructions while abroad in Russia.

Diy said that she was provided with minimal support and resources on the night of the gala. For a large and prestigious event such as Miss World Canada, she worked with a production team of only 4 people, plus 2 runners. All of whom were volunteers.

To make matters worse, she had a difficult time communicating with some of the crew she was provided because they could not speak or understand English. Feeling overworked, Diy said that in addition to directing the show, she was also approached last minute for issues with backstage security.

Where was Miss World Canada 2014 Annora Bourgeault?

There was no final speech, no final walk, and no video that showed her journey as Miss World Canada. She was nowhere to be seen during this year’s pageant week.

According to Bourgeault, Ike Lalji made it clear that she was not welcome. Bourgeault revealed, “At the beginning of my reign as Miss World Canada, Ike was positive. But as I began asking for support (like finding sponsors or guidance before representing Canada and competing at Miss World), he quickly became disrespectful and evasive, to myself and my family.”

“He would use bullying language and intimidation tactics (for example alluding to forcible removal should I attempt to contact the contestants in Vancouver during the pageant week), or try to make me feel guilty for asking for the support I was promised.”

Diy said that to her understanding, Ike and Sean Lalji were not happy that Bourgeault was backstage. Diy was asked to tell the crowned Miss World Canada 2014 that she had to leave the backstage area. However, Diy chose not to do so.

“He would use bullying language and intimidation tactics (for example alluding to forcible removal should I attempt to contact the contestants in Vancouver during the pageant week), or try to make me feel guilty for asking for the support I was promised.” – Miss World Canada 2014 Annora Bourgeault

Awards

2015 delegate Simran Kapoor took to Facebook and stated that some of the awards were not given to the rightful winners. The rightful winners she claimed were Dharinee B for the Fundraising Award, Kira Quo Vadis for Miss Congeniality, and Kapoor herself, for the People’s Choice Award.

So, who were the rightful winners?

The Fundraising Award is given to the delegate who raises the most funds for Variety – The Children’s Charity. The awarded winner of the Fundraising Award was Betty Lu. “There was speculation that Dharinee raised $29,000,” Maryam said. “But it seemed far-fetched to me. I checked Variety myself to make sure. I was then told that Betty raised the most at $10,000.”

Prior to the gala, Miss World Canada sent out an email to the delegates saying that the People’s Choice Vote was audited. The email stated that they’ve been monitoring the votes for suspicious activity since late February and warned the girls not to be surprised if the winners weren’t who they were expecting. Betty Lu won People’s Choice with around 7,800 votes – significantly less than Simran Kapoor’s over 27,400 votes.

Betty Lu took home two more awards, adding the Best in Talent Award and the Beauty with a Purpose Video award.

There was some outrage that Betty Lu had the Official Miss World Canada Videographer, Caspar Ryan create her winning video. However, Ryan said he saw no problem with it. He tells us that he created videos for past delegates, and even created videos for other delegates this year.

As for all the other Special Awards and Fast-Track Awards, such as the Miss Congeniality Award and Miss Sports Award, it has not been made clear as to who judged them and through what criteria.

Judging for the Crown

Under the judging section in the agreement that the Miss World Canada delegates signed, it states, “Judges’ decisions are final and irrevocable.” Then directly below that it reads, “MWC Chairman reserves the right to veto any decisions made by the judges.”

As the Miss World Canada Chairman, Ike Lalji could use his own discretion to overrule the judges decisions and award any delegate he chooses.

Talks were going around since the start of pageant week that the winners were already chosen and that the was competition rigged. It didn’t help that, during the crowning gala, Mister World Canada Delegate Gary Tobin, was announced as 2nd Runner-Up despite the fact that he was not even present at the crowning event. Apparently frustrated with his experiences during pageant week, Tobin quit and left the day before the main event.

How were the delegates judged?

According to the Miss World Canada 2015 Handbook, the judging criteria is as follows:

• 25% – Fast-Track Competitions (all during pageant week: Best in Talent, Beauty with a Purpose Video, Miss Sports, Top Model)
• 20% – Formal Expression (Evening Gown Competition on the crowning gala night)
• 20% – Director’s Score
• 15% – Swimsuit (though the swimsuit competition was omitted this year)
• 10% – Interview (small group 3 minute interview)
• 10% – Fundraising (raised for Variety – The Children’s Charity only)

Worth 10% of the overall score, the delegates’ interviews were cancelled during pageant week. To make up for it, the delegates were told that Ike Lalji would instead use the phone interviews that they had with him when they joined the competition.

“This didn’t seem fair to me because some girls were interviewed in February, some in October, and some even last summer,” said Maryam Nissan. “How would this be an accurate judgement, especially since we have developed and done so much more since then?”

Some delegates claim they did not even have a phone interview with Ike Lalji.

Ruby Chopra says, “In my opinion, for a pageant that has the motto ‘Beauty with a Purpose,’ contestants should be chosen based on who they are and what their purpose in the pageant is. Not just how we look in our gowns. This year, I don’t feel like contestants were given a fair package to show who we really are as a person especially since the judge’s interview was cancelled.”

“In my opinion, for a pageant that has the motto ‘Beauty with a Purpose,’ contestants should be chosen based on who they are and what their purpose in the pageant is.   Not just how we look in our gowns. This year, I don’t feel like contestants were given a fair package to show who we really are as a person especially since the judge’s interview was cancelled.”

Delegates complained that the judges weren’t always paying attention and were instead taking selfies with each other. It was even alleged that the judges didn’t have scorecards.

One of the crowning gala’s celebrity judges, actress Nicole Watson, tells us that they were indeed given scorecards, but were tasked with judging only the Evening Gown competition. Celebrity judge Robin Reichman (of the Real Housewives of Vancouver) confirmed the arrangement.

Before the gala the judges were briefed by Ike Lalji, and told that the head office franchise based in London had changed the judging procedure and that they would be following the new guidelines.

“We were aware that there were additional judges in the audience for the other categories that night such as the Q & A,” Nicole Watson said.

Who were these additional judges that would judge the rest of the competition and crown the winners? And what scoring system was in place?

The final show results were sent via text messages to the show director backstage. Initially thought to have been sent by Ike Lalji but sent from his son Sean Lalji’s number, the text messages listed off Runner-Ups and crowned winners.

On stage, the hosts read results directly off the cell phone text messages. Below the name of 3rd Runner-Up Becky Molly is written, “Just because I like her more, and would like to see one white girl as runner up.”

Betty Lu, was said to be favoured and given more attention than the other delegates throughout the competition. After winning the 6th China International Model Contest, Betty Lu said she was offered to join Miss World Canada by MWC staff and received a $1000 scholarship towards her pageant fee. Betty Lu placed 1st Runner-Up.

Raven Yray, was apparently asked to join the pageant by a Miss World Canada Executive Board Member. This Executive Board Member was also one of the organizers for an event to help support Raven Yray’s campaign and to help Yray do a Beauty for a Purpose video. Raven Yray placed 2nd Runner-Up.

“Just because I like her more, and would like to see one white girl as runner up.” – Text message giving results of crowned winners and Runner-Ups.

In the agreement the delegates signed, it states that contestants must be between 17-24 years old on the day of the pageant. On the Miss World Canada website it says exceptions could be made if you’re older than 25, but the highest title one can get is First Runner-up.

“They seemed to be keen on the rules and regulations, when they were breaking their own rules,” says Maryam Nissan.

On her second go around (having placed 2nd Runner-Up in Miss World Canada 2013), Anastasia Lin was crowned Miss World Canada 2015 despite her being “too old” at 25 years old.

We spoke to Anastasia Lin about the controversy. She tells us that when she was made aware of the age issue, she became concerned. “I asked Ike about it and he said it’s not a problem.” She added that she won’t be the only 25 year old to represent Canada at the Miss World Pageant. Back in 2011, Riza Santos was 25 years old when she represented Canada and competed at the Miss World Pageant.

Sponsors

Two Miss World Canada sponsors from previous years spoke out and shared their experience. Both chose to be a part of Miss World Canada because they thought it was for charity and a good cause.

An award-winning chef agreed to donate and provide food for one dinner event during the 2013 pageant week. However, he ended up coming to the rescue and providing more meals as other food sponsors didn’t show up. With all the last minute work and food that he provided at his own expense, the chef says he received no credit on the Miss World Canada website, program book or other social media. “I felt used,” he says. Never again did he sponsor the Miss World Canada pageant.

“I felt used.”

Simply the Best TV Show host Luisa Marshall says that she was personally called by Ike Lalji to help promote the Miss World Canada Crowning Gala. Lalji told her he wanted to raise over $100,000 dollars for a good cause and asked for her help. Marshall agreed to promote Miss World Canada, believing that selling more tickets would result in more money being raised for special needs kids through Variety – The Children’s Charity.

According to a representative from Variety – The Children’s Charity, they have not received money directly from Miss World Canada and only received what delegates individually fundraised on their own.

Money, money, money

In a meeting with the delegates, Miss World Canada CEO & Chairman Ike Lalji allegedly told the delegates that he has lost money yearly since his takeover of the Miss World Canada franchise in 2012. Lalji claimed that over the last three years he lost $100,000 for each of the first two years, then $60,000 the last year. Money he allegedly claimed, he pays out of his own pocket.

To join Miss World Canada, 2015 delegates must pay a fee of $2800 ($2400 for the early bird discount). So on average, delegates pay roughly $2600 to join the Miss World Canada pageant. When multiplied by the 50 Miss World Canada delegates participating this year, you get an estimated total of $130,000 raised on pageant fees alone.

The pageant fee is said to cover the costs of meals, ground transportation, tour excursions, etc., but does not include travel costs to Vancouver, BC, nor does it cover the shared hotel accommodation (which cost delegates an additional $400 at $50/night this year).

Food was allegedly sponsored and at no cost to the Miss World Canada Organization. In addition, from transportation, photographers, videographers, to choreographers, all the work seems to be done by volunteers.

For the most part, the Miss World Canada Organization seems to work in what appears to be a barter system – where volunteers and sponsors put in their time and work in exchange for Miss World Canada official titles, recognition and/or ad placements during the gala and in the program book.

So how does the Miss World Canada Organization lose money then when delegate fees alone are estimated at $130,000 and the work and food are provided for at seemingly no cost by volunteers and sponsors?

The only paid staff member that volunteers and delegates were aware of is Ike Lalji’s Miss World Canada Executive Assistant, Dina Baychurina from Russia. Ike Lalji apparently told the delegates during one of their meetings that Baychurina is paid $75,000. Dina Baychurina was nowhere to be seen during pageant week and apparently gave gala instructions from Russia.

Ticket Sales

“Keep in mind,” Maryam Nissan reminds us “that we were also responsible for selling tickets to the preliminary talent show and crowning gala.”

On top of their entry fees, delegates were required to sell a minimum of 10 tickets each for the crowning gala at the 2,765 seat Queen Elizabeth Theatre. VIP tickets were priced at $150 and regular tickets at $50. Tickets to the talent competition the night before the gala were also sold at $18 each (but was held at a different venue).

While promoting the 2015 Mister & Miss World Canada Gala on Facebook, Ike Lalji posts “Proceeds go to Variety – The Children’s Charity to help change lives of the children with special needs. Don’t miss this wonderful event!” Lalji comments on his post. “Please share and invite your friends if you would like to help!”

However, a representative from Variety – The Children’s Charity confirmed that they have not received money directly from Miss World Canada. The Variety representative said that the only money they’ve received from Miss World Canada is what the delegates individually fundraised on their own for the Fundraising Competition (worth 10% of the delegates’ final score). Over the past years, this apparently has also been the case. Proceeds generated from ticket sales or money from delegates’ entry fees were therefore not given to Variety – The Children’s Charity.

So with entry fees alone amounting to around $130,000, plus the addition of ticket sales (sold from $50-$100 each), where does the money for the seemingly volunteer run and sponsored Miss World Canada go?

“I’d like to know how much money they made off of all the delegates and if they made any profit,” says Maryam Nissan. “I’d really like to know where my $2800 pageant fee went.”

“I’d like to know how much money they made off of all the delegates and if they made any profit. I’d really like to know where my $2800 pageant fee went.”

Beauty for what Purpose?

With race being a factor in the selection of one of the top 5 finalists, apparent expenses of the gala appearing to far outweigh the profits generated by pageant entry fees alone, and ticket sales for the crowning gala being promoted as a way to raise funds for Variety – The Children’s Charity, what is Ike Lalji’s purpose for Miss World Canada?

Amidst all the controversy, upset delegates and their parents have questioned the legitimacy of the Miss World Canada pageant. One delegate wrote “in my opinion, Miss World Canada is not so much of a “beauty with a purpose” but a scam, a money-making business about resources, favouritism, and a huge waste of my time.”

Under the direction, management, guidance and vision of Miss World Canada’s CEO and Chairman Ike Lalji, what is the true purpose of Miss World Canada?

Numerous attempts were made to contact Ike Lalji. Lalji did not respond as of press time.

Ike Lalji’s son, Sean Lalji, provided a reason as to why his dad had not responded. Sean Lalji said that they were out of town. Sean Lalji explained that after the pageant they like to take the Miss World Canada staff on a vacation (as they do every year because of how stressful the pageant is).