Malaysian Beauty Queen Dethroned Over 'Wild' Thailand Holiday Video That Went Viral

A Malaysian beauty queen has been stripped of her title after a video of her dancing “suggestively” during a Thailand holiday trip went viral.

Viru Nikah Terinsip, who clinched the Unduk Ngadau Johor title in 2023, faced backlash after sharing the video, which depicted her dancing alongside “scantily clad” male performers, UK’s Daily Mail reported. The Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), responsible for the title, took action against Terinsip in response to the widespread criticism sparked by the video.

While some condemned the video as “inappropriate,” others came to her defence. According to Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the president of KDCA, Terinsip’s behavior was deemed unacceptable for a beauty queen who symbolizes the spirit of Huminodun, a revered figure in the mythology of the ethnic Dusun people of Sabah state, known for her beauty and wisdom.

Kitingan underlined the public nature of Terinsip’s role as a beauty queen and added that the incident drew attention away from the association’s objectives and invited unnecessary scrutiny. He acknowledged that the video was filmed during a private holiday but stressed the need for individuals in prominent positions to exercise discretion.

Terinsip reportedly accepted the decision and expressed regret for posting the footage. She affirmed that her participation in the Unduk Ngadau competition was voluntary and acknowledged the significance of upholding the responsibilities associated with the title. Terinsip noted the importance of self-worth beyond titles and urged others to focus on moving forward from the incident.

”I joined the Unduk Ngadau competition by my own will and returned this title without coercion. I respect my decision. The title is not everything. It is about believing and valuing myself. The title does not determine one’s perfection or success. I am not perfect,” she was quoted as saying by local media.

Terinsip received both support and criticism from netizens, prompting her to appeal for understanding and respect for her privacy and that of her loved ones. She concluded her statement with gratitude for the positive messages received and a plea to redirect attention to other pressing matters.