Ibinahagi ni Miss Universe Canada 2020 Nova Stevens na nakatatanggap siya ng mga death threats dahil sa kontrobersiya na kinasasangkutan niya at ng kanyang MGmode kay Dubai-based Filipino Fashion designer Michael Cinco.
Ayon sa beauty queen, hindi siya pumapatol sa “hate or drama” dahil naniniwala siya sa “peace and love as food for soul.” Gayunman, dahil patuloy siyang nakatatanggap ng mga banta at hate messages, napagtanto niya na dapat niyang linawin ang ilang bagay.
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Kaugnay nito, ibinahagi ni Nova kung paano madalas pumapasok sa isang kasunduan ang mga designers at pageant contestants sa isang sponsorship.
“Just as they do at award shows or any other public event, it’s not ‘free.’ It involves an immense amount of effort+ negotiation on both sides,” aniya.
“SPONSORSHIP IS NOT CHARITY; it is an agreement to lend a gown to a public figure in return for PR, publicity and safe return of the gown.”
Ikinuwento rin niya kung paano naghirap ang kanyang team para makapag-secure ng sponsorship deal kay Michael sa kabila ng limitadong budget.
Sa isyu ng “ungrateful” na pahayag ni Michael, iginiit ni Nova na ilang beses siyang nagpahayag ng gratitude sa Pinoy artist sa kanyang mga social media posts.
“Not including interviews where I always made sure to mention him nor the many personal videos thanking him from the bottom of my heart,” dagdag pa nito.
“As you all know, even in the best-intentioned deals, things can and did go wrong. In my case, the preliminary gown did not end up fitting perfectly. This was important because it affects scoring. So we made the decision to wear a different gown (thank you to Virgilio Madinah). Unfortunately, my team who had worked so hard was upset that Michael did not deliver his end and they did make a comment.”
Sa palagay ni Nova, maling hakbang ito sa bahagi ng kanyang team.
“As part of my team, I fully apologize. I appreciate all his efforts and that perfect final gown. This is a disagreement that should have been handled in private and with maturity. However, it has devolved into an ego clash on social media, and dragged me into the middle of it. I have been getting death threats, racist trolls are hurling despicable insults at me, and people are dragging my character with lies. What amazes me is that people seem to be more outraged at my alleged ‘lack of thanks’ rather than me being asked to die and receiving racist hate. I don’t deserve that.”
Nabanggit din ni Nova na sinabi ni Michael na bibigyan sila nito ng isang “war.” Pero, iginiit ng beauty queen na isang “peace-loving nation” sila at hindi nila ito tatanggapin.
“We don’t accept racism. We don’t accept bullying. I personally love all my fellow contestants, I love every single one of my sponsors including Michael and I love my team. I don’t agree with the ego battle on either side and I’m sorry for any missteps on our part. I wish that people would find more love and understanding in their hearts,” dagdag nito.
“Now, I am going to go back to processing my wins and losses at Miss Universe. I will enjoy my birthday tomorrow and heal. I hope you can all take a break from the hate for a few days. Peace and love.”
