The world of pageants in Belize is in uproar tonight – after explosive allegations by the reigning Miss Belize Universe Tanisha Vernon. Those allegations are against Pageants Belize – run by Margaret Johnson. In a fiery letter printed in today’s Reporter Newspaper, the 20-year-old beauty queen fumes about mistreatment, poor organisation, and alleges corruption. She writes about having to travel to events in her gown on a city bus, having no food to eat while at the Princess Hotel, and not receiving the prizes she won when she was selected as Miss Universe on September 15th of last year. It is a long list of complaints and when we ran into Tanisha today, she was coy, telling us that she will tell all on Wednesday.
Tanisha Vernon, Miss Belize
“Well Keith there have been many injustices happening with Pageants Belize and I think that the people heard loud and clear on Wave Radio this morning and there is more to come on Wednesday, look out for the press conference. Where all girls, participants, everybody that Miss Johnson, Margaret Johnson had mistreated and a lot more. So look out Wednesday for more information on this.”
Tanisha promises to tell all on Wednesday and she won’t be alone. She says other past and current queens will join her. When we reached Margaret Johnson late this evening she told us, “we were going into a meeting and I will get back to you.” She didn’t say who the “we” she referred to. Tanisha is scheduled to represent Belize in the Miss Universe Pageant in Vietnam on July 28th.
