WWW- Miss Universe Australia may be stripped of her title because of a series of raunchy photographs.
The photos of Gold Coast model Erin McNaught, 24, published in Zoo Weekly magazine, have thrown the pageant into turmoil.
They show McNaught in various stages of undress- skimpy underwear, topless or next to nothing.
Pageant officials want her to hand back the title’s tiara only two weeks after she won the event. Judge Jonathan Westbrook and pageant co-ordinator Deborah Miller say the event has “descended into farce”.
They say that by failing to turn up for media and sponsorship commitments in Melbourne last week, McNaught doesn’t deserve the $20,000 diamond tiara.
The Melbourne pageant was gaffe-prone: the title of first runner-up was incorrectly awarded to Victoria’s Emma Newcombe ahead of Perth’s Leah Fuhrmann. They have since swapped sashes. Mr Westbrook accused McNaught of “dragging the contest into the gutter”.
“This is a prestigious event and these photos are bringing its image into disrepute,” Mr Westbrook said. “She is not the wholesome role model we are looking for.”
He called for Fuhrmann to be awarded the title.
Ms Miller said McNaught had set a bad example and did not deserve to retain the title.
“I believe she should have the crown taken off her,” Ms Miller said. “She’s not a role model for young girls.”
Pageant director and licensee Jim Davie says Miss McNaught has done nothing wrong.
Mr Davie left a message on Mr Westbrook’s voicemail saying, regardless of the photos, McNaught would represent Australia at the international competition in Los Angeles on July 23.
He said: “I can assure you it’s my decision- and she’s going. She’s done nothing, in my view, that is beyond her representing us.”
Another judge, photographer Grant Good, agreed, saying the photos were “tastefully done and, in any case, they were taken before she won. They don’t contravene any rules or regulations.”
McNaught’s mother, Lin, said the pageant’s national director knew about the (revealing photographs) before Erin was appointed Miss Universe Australia.
“He didn’t have a problem with it,” she said.