MISS ASIA USA PAGEANT SCANDAL

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MISS ASIA USA PAGEANT SCANDAL - DIANE YOO
By Christilily Chiv
Jul 17, 2008, 23:02

Negative complaints and many questions were raised by delegates, parents, volunteers and staff at the pageant. Among them is harassment at rehearsals and in emails, battery police report, talks of sabotage and special treatment given to Diane Yoo who was chosen as this year’s winner of the pageant.

Virgelia Villegas produces Miss Asia USA Pageant

Disbelief and confusion during the pageant competition when the emcee made the surprise announcement that owner, producer and director Virgellia Villegas was now going to be the 12th Judge to decide who the winner would be. Another complaint was raised when staff member and choreographer Evelyn Lin was also offering during orientation, her services to the delegates as a Personal Private Pageant Coach for a $100 per hour fee. Special line-up placement was given to these delegates and showcased in production numbers.

The pageant claims that no pageant experience is required and the web site states that free workshops and training would be provided to the delegates but was never given. The pageant staff was less than supportive to Miss Cambodia – Christilily Chiv who wears a Size 8, telling her she was fat and needed to wear her sarong during the swimsuit competition. After 2 rehearsals she received 2 emails from Ms. Villegas threatening to remove her from the competition if she did not see improvement in her walking or poise and even reminded her that her entry fee is non refundable. On June 27, 2008 in Los Angeles, Miss Cambodia – Christilily Chiv filed a Battery Police Report against Miss Asia USA’s choreographer Evelyn Lin for hitting her during the Miss Asia USA Press Conference held at The City Club.

Special treatment and privileges was given to Diane Yoo who won Miss Asia USA. Among them is allowing Miss Yoo to have a staff of 7 people in the dressing room to help her during the pageant where as the other delegates were allowed only 2. Stating in several write ups about the pageant that Diane Yoo attended all the rehearsals is in accurate.

The lack of full disclosure on the entry form and web site www.missasiausa.org as to all mandatory fees required to participate in the pageant and what these fees cover. A non-refundable $500.00 fee to enter is all that is stated on the entry form but never states what the $500.00 fee is for. At orientation the delegate are told that they must sell 3 full page ads at $500.00 each and a minimum of 30 tickets to the pageant. A couple of weeks before the pageant, delegates are told that they must fulfill these requirements or they will not receive their prizes if they are chosen as one of the Top Ten Finalists. Full disclosure was never given in writing nor is it stated on the web site as to the scoring system and how Miss Asia USA is chosen. Prizes to the winners and runner-ups were never disclosed. Best In Swimsuit and Miss Charity was never awarded even though it was advertised in the program book and told to the delegates that it would be awarded on stage at the pageant. Cash was encouraged, yet thousands of dollars in receipts promised to the delegates were dodged by the pageant staff.

A photo shoot was arranged by the executive director of the pageant. The delegates were told in an email and during orientation that it was complimentary. Upon arrival the photographer told the delegates that they needed to pay a $100.00 to $350.00 fee.

Although the practice of popularity is accountable in many pageants, there is a specific delineation of points related to it. Where as in the Mrs Asia USA and Miss Teen Asia USA Pageant the number of points is purely at the discretion of Virgelia Villegas, rather than a set number.
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