Brian Jeffrey
Contestant’s Shocking Allegations During Competition
Kateryna Bilyk made alarming claims about her experience during a recent competition. She reported having to participate in events from early morning until late at night, sometimes extending beyond midnight. One particularly grueling day, she worked from 3 AM to 11 PM while battling a high fever that ranged between 37.5°C and 38.2°C for over a week.
Her declining health was monitored by her personal doctor in Pattaya and a physician at the Wyndham Jomtien Pattaya hotel, who noted dangerously high blood pressure readings of 142/90 and 151/90.
In her statement, Bilyk expressed frustration, saying, “MGI (Miss Grand International) was supposed to prioritize my health as outlined in our contract, but instead, they jeopardized my physical and mental state.” She alleged that the organizers provided her with a pill that could have triggered an allergic reaction, and when she fainted, they did not call for medical help, compelling her to work on despite having a temperature of 38.5°C and high blood pressure at 151/90.
Additionally, she claimed that her passport was confiscated for three days during her stay in Cambodia, infringing upon her rights. To support her allegations, Bilyk has compiled a significant amount of evidence, including 52GB of videos, images, receipts, and communications related to her experience.
She also mentioned receiving threats from MGI officials, which she believes violate her personal rights and international law. “If any attempts are made to harm my reputation or spread falsehoods, I will take legal measures, including engaging Thai authorities and Interpol,” she asserted.
Bilyk firmly intends to pursue legal action for compensation for the damages inflicted by the organizers.
In response to her comments, Miss Grand International announced the termination of her participation in the competition due to several violations of the contract she had signed.
The organizers emphasized their commitment to upholding integrity and professionalism, noting that all contestants are obligated to follow the established rules and agreements.
They also released a statement from Natalya Kovalyova, the National Director of Ukraine, who offered an apology to the MGI organizers. Kovalyova noted that Bilyk withdrew from the Miss Grand International 2024 competition unexpectedly, expressing disappointment over her actions. She insisted that the organizing team had provided full support during Bilyk’s illness but could not manage her conduct.
Kovalyova deemed Bilyk’s actions as disappointing and harmful to the team’s reputation.
Miss Grand International has faced various controversies throughout the event, with four contestants withdrawing, including representatives from Cambodia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong (China), and Ukraine.
The contestants are now gearing up for important events, including the national costume showcase on October 20, semifinals on October 22, and the grand finale on October 25, with Vietnam’s representative being Miss Grand Vietnam 2024, Vo Le Que Anh.
Ngoc Vi
