BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – INFORMATION reaching this publication states that Miss Trinidad and Tobago World 2013 Shereece Villafana, who represented the twin-island Republic at the recently-concluded Miss World Pageant in Bali, Indonesia, was stripped of her crown following an alleged financial issue.
According to the Trinidad Express on Monday (Nov 25), a press release from the Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Organisation, headed by Director Athalia Samuel, stated: “This dethronement has become necessary as a result of unsettling reports brought to the attention of the organisation. These reports concern conduct that is not in keeping with the high moral and ethical obligations the Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Organisation strives to maintain.”
The release noted that the organisation's decision to strip Villafana of her title came after it had received a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister informing the members that Villafana received a total of TT$200 000 in sponsorship money in preparation for the Miss World Pageant.
The Trinidad Express also said Samuel had informed that media house that Villafana received the money without informing the Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Organisation.
“I didn’t know what they were talking about and at times I felt embarrassed because I had no knowledge of receiving any of the monies they said they gave. Eventually, we received sponsorship through various events, as well as from a company in London who eventually paid for our airfare, hotel accommodation and spending money.
"Prior to leaving for the pageant, I asked various agencies and organisations for sponsorship and every time I asked for assistance they would respond that they already gave money, which I found to be strange because we never received any money,” the report quotes Samuel.
The report noted that “Villafana had no comment to make on the matter”.
