Miss World Philippines 2024 Krishnah Gravidez. Gravidez/Instagram
Miss World Philippines is standing by its reigning titleholder, Krishnah Gravidez, after a video of her supposedly paying over P130,000 for dinner went viral on social media.
In a statement, the organization reiterated that the viral "guess the bill" clip involving the beauty queen and her friends "does not reflect Krishnah's true character or the values she upholds."
"What transpired was a lighthearted moment among friends, meant to be shared in private. Unfortunately, it was uploaded without her consent, leading to misunderstandings about her intentions," it said.
"Despite this, Krishnah has taken full responsibility for the situation and has expressed her deep regret for any misconceptions that may have arisen."
Miss World Philippines said it believes in Gravidez's efforts to "represent the country with grace, dignity, and purpose," and assured the public that she will continue to exemplify the values of the organization.
Gravidez has publicly apologized amid the controversy. In an earlier message to her fans on her Instagram broadcast channel, the beauty queen made it clear that she did not pay P133,000 after making the closest guess to their dinner bill, saying that she only attended a friend's birthday party.
She nevertheless acknowledged "the impact the video may have had and the assumptions it has generated" in a statement released Thursday.
"Please allow me to clarify that I did not pay the said amount and in no way was my participation in the video meant to promote or glorify an extravagant lifestyle," Gravidez said. "I genuinely empathize with the struggles that many Filipinos face on a daily basis, and I would never want to come across as insensitive or unaware of these harsh realities."
"As Miss World Philippines 2024, I am fully aware of my role and the responsibilities that come with it, especially in aligning with the organization's advocacy for charity and compassion," she added.
Gravidez went on to promise to be "more cautious and reflective in the future," especially on social media.
"I am truly sorry for any unintended harm," she said.
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