Mr International Singapore Rep Refutes Pageant Organisers' Claims That He Quit Without Warning

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On September 2, Mister International Singapore Mhar Jayson Cortez announced on Instagram that he was pulling out of the upcoming Mister International pageant that was due to be held on September 25 in Thailand.

Earlier, pageant organisers, Beam Artistes, alleged that Mhar had posted his withdrawal announcement on Instagram without informing them, while discussions between both parties were still ongoing.

Now, the 30-year-old, speaking exclusively to 8days.sg, claims otherwise, and has multiple screenshots as evidence.

For starters, he says it was not his choice to exit the Mister International pageant and that it was Beam Artistes who had pulled him from the competition.

He alleges that Beam Artistes informed him via a WhatsApp call on August 26 that he was being pulled out, citing the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict as the reason.

"I was informed that i would no longer be sent for the Mister International pageant together with the Malaysia representative in the call," Mhar told 8days.sg.

"They said it was cancelled because of the ongoing [conflict] between Thailand and Cambodia. Which I found surprising because the conflict had already ended by the time of this call."

The conflict between the two countries ended on July 28, 2025.

“The funny part is they suggested that I join Mister Grant, another pageant instead, because it would be in the Philippines and I would have a high chance,” revealed Mhar, who was born in the Philippines. 

He declined their offer to join Mister Grant a few days later, and exited from the group chat with Beam Artistes, after confirming again that they were not going ahead with the Mister International pageant.

Beam Artistes founder Samuel Seow had previouly claimed that Mhar was never officially crowned as Mister International Singapore and had “begged” to be in the pageant.

Mhar hit back at these allegations, calling it “absurd and ridiculous”.

“I have never offered money, favours, or requests that can be interpreted as begging. What I have consistently done is prepare for the pageant as per my commitment and represent the title with respect. I was open from the start that I only wanted [to take part] in Mister International,” he says.

Mhar also told 8days.sg that there was a combined pageant and was told that titles will be announced at a later date.

In screenshots sent to 8days.sg, Mhar was informed by one of the sponsors, Alluora Store, on July 18 that he had won the title, which was then reported in the media.

“If titles from your organisation can be obtained by begging, how does that align with your interview on TikTok stating that you do not accept money to buy a title? Mhar asked.

He was referring to an interview posted to Samuel’s TikTok in May, who said that the final decision on who wins a pageant is up to the judges.

“Do you find it reasonable that I, a simple man with no influence, could beg you, a veteran, to give me a national title? So, according to your statement, are you implying that Mister Nusantara or Mister Singapore can be begged for? This claim is misleading and does not reflect reality,” he said in a statement to 8days.sg.

Mhar further addressed financial allegations, where Samuel had earlier claimed that Mhar asked for a S$2,900 loan and insisted on a stopover in Singapore from Bangkok.

Mhar explained that the stopover was necessary as he had no clothes, costumes, or preparation coming from New Zealand.

“It shouldn’t be a question [of needing to do a stopover in Singapore]. I am representing Singapore. If I go to Bangkok from New Zealand, it doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Even before the Mister International pageant, Mhar says that he highlighted his difficulties in taking unpaid leave as he was overseas for work, and having no money for a month, and told Beam Artistes not to give him the title if they were not able to offer him financial assistance.

“I am not afraid of asking for support in this situation. I requested a loan as I needed to support my family. To be honest, I could have asked them to fully cover the cost and be greedy, but instead I asked for a loan and promised to repay,” he said.

Mhar also accused Samuel of threatening to contact his employer after the fallout if he didn’t follow his instructions.

“Why do they need to be involved? The company that feeds my family, the company that pays me money. Why does he need to disturb people with this? The moment I posted about leaving the pageant was when I didn’t want to talk to them,” he said.

Mhar also says this will be his final statement on the matter.

“I sincerely hope that moving forward, there will be greater professionalism, fairness, and respect, so that no one else will have to experience what I went through,” he said.

Photos: engineermjc/IG