New Miss Universe Australia, Tegan Martin, hits back at claims contest is rigged

Newly-crowned Miss Universe Australia, Tegan Martin, has hit back at claims the contest is rigged.

The 21-year-old Newcastle resident said controversy was common with the pageant and told losers they should accept defeat "with grace".

"I know that every year...there's always people saying that it's rigged," Ms Martin told Today. "I remember last year some of the girls saying the same thing."

"It's important to accept your defeat with grace."

Her comments come after another finalist, Kristy Coulcher, attacked the pageant declaring it was "rigged".

"@missuniverseaustralia may be rigged, but I still had the best gown by far," Ms Coulcher wrote on Twitter after her loss. 

But Australian director for the contest, Deborah Miller, said it was "impossible" for that to be the case. 

"With pageants, people will say things like that," Ms Miller said. "But we have official auditors, Grant Thornton accountants, so it’s impossible to have it rigged."

Source: Today

Author: Simon Black