Miss South Africa saddened over exclusion from Miss Grand International winners media tour
Despite her win as Miss Grand International 4th runner-up, Miss South Africa Jeanè Van Dam expressed disappointment over her non-inclusion in the media tour for the pageant's winners.
Vietnam's Tien Thuc Thuy Nguyen was crowned as Miss Grand International and as follows are the runner-up winners:
1st runner-up: Andrea Victoria Aguilera, Ecuador
2nd runner-up: Lorena Goncalves Rodrigues, Brazil
3rd runner-up: Vivianie Diaz Arroyo, Puerto Rico
4th runner-up: Jeane Van Dam, South Africa
Soon after the pageant, the winners went on for a media tour. Evidently however, Miss South Africa was a no show. Quashing off rumors about her exclusion, she made a statement on social media about what exactly happened.
In an Instagram post, Miss South Africa said she was told by a staff member that there is no need for her to stay in Thailand. It also isn't true that health restrictions due to COVID-19 was the reason she left. She made this clear in 3 points.
1. The night after crowning I went to a member of the team asking her whether I should change my ticket to stay in Bangkok.
2. She told me that I can go home the next day and there is no need to stay.
3. SO the reason for my return was NOT my countries borders or Covid19. I returned because I was told to do so.
Furthermore, she expressed that her exclusion was painful for her as she was looking forward to more bonding activities with her fellow winners.
“I am heartbroken as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. And I worked just as hard as the other girls. So to not be part of the media tour & new sisterhood bond is devastating to say the least.”
Samantha Panlilio the country's representative to the pageant failed to make it to the Top 20. The Philippines has yet to win a Miss Grand International crown.
Take a look at Samantha Panlilio's different looks in this gallery: