Krishnah Gravidez. Image from her Instagram.
Reigning Miss World Philippines Krishnah Gravidez has found valuable support amid her involvement in the controversial “Guess the Bill” challenge video, as her national pageant organization declared that it is standing by her.
“The video in question does not refect Krishnah’s true character or the values that 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,” the Miss World Philippines Organization (MWPH) said in a statement issued on social media on Thursday evening, Sept. 26.
“[W]e would like to affirm that Krishnah is a person of integrity. compassion, and dedication to her advocacy of ‘Color the World with Kindness.’ Throughout her journey, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to charitable causes and the well-being of others. Her genuine heart for service is evident in the countless initiatives she has supported, and she continues to be an inspiring role model for many Filipinos,” MWPH continued.
JUST IN: The Miss World Philippines Organization releases a statement saying it is standing by its reigning #MissWorldPhilippines2024 Krishnah Gravidez, who was involved in a controversial video on social media that has now been deleted. .@inquirerdotnet
📸 | Miss World PH Org pic.twitter.com/Jm2JypURSK— Armin Adina (@diyarista) September 26, 2024
In a now-deleted video posted on Tiktok by content creator Emmanuelle Atienza, she, Gravidez, and several other women were playing a game where they are asked to guess the cost of their dinner, and whoever guessed closest to that amount will foot the bill. The beauty queen’s answer was closest to the total bill worth P133,423.99, and she was filmed handing out her credit card.
Atienza took to social media after her post earned the ire of netizens, and explained that the challenge was “just a joke,” and that none of them had to pay for anything because the dinner was shouldered by a sponsor.
Coming to her defense, the MWPH said it recognizes the incident “as an important reminder to always be cautious and mindful of one’s actions, especially in the realm of social media where content can easily be misinterpreted without the proper context. Krishnah remains committed to learning from this experience and moving forward with greater awareness and responsibility.”
The organization continued: “As an organization, we stand by [Gravidez] and her continued efforts to represent the country with grace, dignity, and purpose. We ask for understanding and trust that she will continue to exemplify the values of Miss World Philippines in all her endeavors.”
Taking full responsibility
Gravidez, who in July was crowned as the Philippines’ representative in the 72nd Miss World pageant, also addressed the issue on social media, saying she’s taking full responsibility for her actions.
The beauty queen further reiterated her earlier claims that she was a mere invited guest and had no involvement in the choice of venue or the handling of the bill. Nevertheless, she said that she fully understood the “impact the video may have had and the assumptions it has generated.”
“Please allow me to clarify that I did not pay the said amount and in no way was my participation on the video meant to promote or glorify an extravagant lifestyle. 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,” she said.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply regret any offense or negative impression this incident may have caused. 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.
During her pageant journey, since joining the 2023 Miss Universe pageant, to earning the Miss Charm Philippines title, and then winning the Miss World Philippines crown, Gravidez has been proudly sharing how she took different jobs, even as a young girl, to be able to help with her family’s financial struggles. “This experience has been a humbling reminder of the importance of being mindful of my actions, both in public and in private,” she said in her statement.
“I am truly sorry for any unintended harm, and I promise to be more cautious and reflective in the future, especially with regards to my presence on social media,” Gravidez declared.
She is on a quest to post the Philippines’ second Miss World victory, but the international organizer still has not made any announcements pertaining to the details of the 72nd edition of the global tilt.