Miss Universe Canada 2016 Siera Bearchell showed some love for Filipino fashion designer Rian Fernandez who recently exposed his dreadful experience working with the Miss Universe Canada organization.
On Instagram, Siera shared how the pageant world can be a "toxic" place, but it can also be a place where lifelong friendships are created.
"I met @rianfernandez888 after an unusual gown situation at Miss Universe. The whole story and conversation with Rian can be found via the link in my bio. It’s way too complicated to explain in a caption," she said.
They went on to become good friends after experiencing a lot of drama together and that Rian even designed and made her wedding gown.
"We saw each other again in Atlanta, Georgia at Miss Universe 2019. He is incredibly talented and his work is amazing. Love you Rian!!!!!," she related.
"If only we knew each other PRIOR to me competing at Miss Universe. We would have worked TOGETHER on a gown that would have brought our visions together. I know we will work together again to create something amazing. Maybe if I am a judge at a pageant this year or attend the next Miss Universe," Siera added.
"I’m not going to share much more in this caption because we share everything in our YouTube conversation. I don’t know much about the current drama because I haven’t been involved with MUC for a few years. So grateful to have this amazingly talented designer in my life!"
Then on her Instagram story, Siera declared that she's sharing her "love" and "appreciation" for Rian, who "deserves" recognition for his talents and hard work.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPNSavCpxFo/
Meanwhile, on YouTube, the Canadian beauty queen explained why she changed her mind to comment on the whole situation.
According to her, she didn't want to say anything at first because she didn't know everything about the issue, referring to Dubai-based Filipino renowned Fashion Michael Cinco who called out Miss Universe Canada 2020 Nova Stevens and MGmode’s Migüel Martinez and Denis Martin Davila who allegedly spread fake news about his team as being “unprofessional.”
Michael belied the claim that Nova’s “unfitted” gowns arrived “late,” seemingly “to sabotage” her win.
But Nova was quick to address the controversy.
"I didn't want to make a comment because even though I'm well aware of Miss Universe Canada, I mean, I was Miss Universe Canada, I didn't know anything about the situation at hand so I didn't really want to add fuel to the fire of what was happening because I didn't really know the back end," Siera said.
But when her "good friend" Rian made a post, which she was mentioned, Siera knew that she had to say something.
"Or I felt like I had to say something because one: he's my friend and I need to show my support for him, and two: because I mean, I was directly involved in that whole situation with Rian, the Miss Universe Canada Organization; and then the couple years following I was like a bystander to what happened with Rian and Miss Universe Canada."
Siera vocally said how she feels it's so "unfair."
"I've always have said that Miss Universe is about representing women and showcasing the women and the talents of the women along with gown designers, sponsors, people who help make it happen. It should not be about the directors, the handlers, like any of that drama," she declared.
"It's just so unfair because it takes away the attention from the girls, the designers, the people who are showcasing their work, their talents. And so when I saw that Rian had made a post, I knew that I needed to say something as well because if anyone hasn't seen it, I have a conversation with Rian on my YouTube channel."
"I just felt like I needed to say something because I admire his work. I know what it's like to be deceived and to be told things are gonna happen a certain way and there's a lot more I could say but I'll try to leave with that."
On the other hand, Siera reiterated that she doesn't have any knowledge on the "tea" that started the squabble.
"I do not know Miguel or Nova personally. MGmode was not part of the Miss Universe Canada Organization when I was the titleholder," she pointed out.