M’sian Beauty Queen Returns Crown After Backlash From Holiday Video Of Her 'Dancing Suggestively' With Male Dancers

2024 is fast becoming the year of beauty pageant winners giving up their crowns over scandals.

The latest beauty queen made to return her title is 24-year-old Viru Nikah Terinsip, who won the Unduk Ngadau Johor pageant in 2023.

According to media reports, a video shows has Viru 'dancing suggestively' with scantily clad male dancers while on holiday in Thailand. The clip has since been taken down.

It is believed Viru was dancing with the infamous Thai Hot Guys of Bangkok restaurant Staneemeehoi. 

The clip sparked public backlash in Malaysia, with calls from Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the president of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), to strip Viru of her crown.

Wait a minute, a beauty queen can’t loosen up while on a personal holiday?

While many felt that it was inappropriate for Viru to exhibit such behaviour as she is a public figure, some felt it was blown out of proportion and her actions did not cause harm to anyone.

“This would not be an issue if Viru was an ordinary person,” said Joseph.

“There were a lot of mixed reactions, some saw humour in her video, some sympathised, others were unhappy and complained,” he added.

“We [KDCA] do not want to be the target and attract unnecessary attention,” he said.

Joseph also added that “this incident should serve as a warning to all winners of the cultural beauty pageant not to repeat the same mistake.”

In a 53-second video posted to Viru’s social media on Monday (Apr 8), she made an apology saying she was “careless” in posting her holiday clip.

“I joined the Unduk Ngadau competition by my own will and will now return the title without coercion,” she said.

“I respect my decision and the title is not everything. It is about believing and valuing myself,” she added.

She goes on to say that “the title does not determine one’s perfection or success” and maintains that she is “not perfect” and that everyone “makes mistakes.

Viru ended her video by thanking netizens for their encouragement and to not involve her family in the matter.

Photos: World of Buzz, Duyung Darat/Facebook