Lorraine Schuck selling the Miss Earth crown to the Russians? I don't think so.
The scandal has already been discussed far and wide, in and out of the pageant world. Let me just share my brief thoughts on the matter to get it out of my system before we commence with the Miss Universe fiesta about to start in just a couple of days.
Carousel Productions have, for a little over the past decade, been through a lot building, spreading and mounting the annual Miss Earth and with much success to boot. They have gone to the highest highs and the lowest lows just to protect and preserve the reputation of the pageant – much like its core objective of fighting for the cause of Mother Earth. And now comes a controversial interview where its EVP Lorraine Schuck allegedly struck a deal with representatives of the Russian Oligarchs to sell the crown for the relatively cool amount of Four Million Dollars.
For damage control, Ms. Schuck has already released a statement denying the same. Yes, she admitted that the one-on-one (or two-on-one) took place last year. But nothing even remotely close to making a dangerous deal with the said reps.
I’m writing on the defense of Carousel Productions and Miss Earth on this one. And let me just add that this is no paid blog service to them. My stand is this – the crown was not offered for sale. Ms. Schuck is too smart a businesswoman to even fall prey to individuals who might have the intention of breaking down her defenses with the lure of big money. There is so much Filipino Pride in Miss Earth, such that after sharing it with the world, the last thing in her mind is to throw away everything the group has painstakingly built from scratch. And all in a matter of less than an hour? I don’t think so.
These Russian Oligarchs better bark up another planted tree. Miss Earth is here to stay. And for me, that is that.
Besides, didn’t Miss Earth Russia Natalia Pereverzeva just call her country a beggar during an interview when the candidates were presented to the press? If the business magnates do really have the moolah to spare, why not give it to the more needy sectors of their society? That way, they can prove that Russia is far from being a pauper in disguise.
Let me hear your thoughts on this issue, won’t you? 😉