T&T's Miss World 2015 representative, Kimberly Farrah Singh, who returned home yesterday, chose to avoid addressing the controversy surrounding her trip to the global pageant in China.
When asked by members of the media about her experience and thoughts, especially the her sister’s explosive allegation that she had effectively been left stranded in China because of funding issues for her extra pieces of luggage, Singh would only say that she was exhausted and would release a statement after she had settled down.
President/CEO of Miss Oneness Entertainment, Vanessa Sahatoo-Manoo, seized the opportunity to say that Singh had in fact been given sufficient money to cover her approved luggage including the extra prior to her departure to Sanya, China. She disclosed that she paid an additional fee of US$270 to get Singh’s luggage home.
Sahatoo-Manoo, however, noted that because of a contractual agreement between her and Singh, she (Singh) was not allowed to release any statement unless it has been approved by her (Sahatoo-Manoo).
Asked how was the relationship between she and Singh, Sahatoo-Manoo said she believed that was still a good relationship.
“I would think so at least. I went to China to support her,” she said.
Asked about reports that she could lose the local franchise for the Miss World because of all the controversy around Singh’s reign, Sahatoo-Manoo replied: “Of course not. No. There are no issues at all with the franchise. I m still the national director for T&T. My time in China was very well received and I was very fortunate to meet the other national directors from other countries. I was actually told by them that they were following the story and was saddened to know that there was an issue and it had escalated to where it was at. I received no hostility. I do not know where this negativity is coming from but every thing on my end is very confident.”
Singh, who spoke very briefly to the media said she have learnt so many valuable lessons, “It was not an easy one. I am humbled and grateful for my family and the public for coming together when I needed the extra support for getting her home safely. Also to the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr Lovell Francis who supported me from the day that I departed, to when my family reached out to help when I was in China.”
“I thank all those for the love and support in my darkest and most desperate times. It has been an absolute honour and privilege to have been afforded this opportunity to represent T&T. I did everything in my power and strength to make sure T&T was well represented and I hope I made you proud,” she added.
Singh was greeted by scores of fans and relatives, including her mother Avril, her grandmother Ira Lugo, 76, and her sister Renata.
As she walked through the doors of Arrivals at Piarco, a thunderous applause and screams welcomed her. Also waiting to greet her were former queens Miss Earth 2012 Amryl Nurse, Miss Earth 2013 Ariana Rampersad and Miss World 2014 Sarah Jane Waddell.
Singh’s journey to China has been a rough ride as she was dethroned in October by Miss Oneness Entertainment for alleged breaches of her contract and failing to raise enough money to take her to the competition.
She was replaced by 2015 runner-up Daniella Walcott, but Singh was reinstated after a legal action in the San Fernando High Court.