Actress-beauty queen Franki Russell has finally opened up regarding the cancellation of New Zealand's Miss Universe franchise, which ultimately ended her dream to compete for the Miss Universe title.
Note the franchise was cancelled supposedly "as a result of the team's non-compliance with a specific order from the Miss Universe Organization."
Many were left speculating as to what that “specific order” was.
In a recent interview with Boy Abunda, Franki shared her belief that it was mainly due to her past work as sexy actress.
“Apparently, due to my previous work and films with Viva, my title’s at jeopardy. And that came as quite a shock...I always think like, ‘Oh, but maybe they just need to see what it really was.’”
She added, "I've never hidden my past. It takes one Google (search) to see what I've done. It's not like no one was aware. But when it came to the attention of the Miss Universe Organization, there was someone that basically said, 'She cannot participate' from very early on."
The beauty queen deemed the decision "counter-progressive" inasmuch as the pageant is now accepting moms, transgenders.
"Am I less of a woman because I have done this? Masama ba akong tao because I portrayed a role in a movie?" Franki wondered aloud.
She is moving on from the debacle with a message to Miss Universe organizers: “Think about what you mean when you say 'inclusivity.'"