Anysha Panesar took home top prize in a Florida teen pageant called “America’s Perfect Teen.” This decision has ignited quite a controversy because the young lady you see above isn’t from America! That’s right, she may be a perfect teen but the nationality is all wrong which had a lot of the other competitors up in arms over her crown.
Panesar hails from Great Britain and was with her family on vacation in Kissimme, FL when she found out about the contest and was told by the organizers that she could compete as an international contestant. The all A’s student hired a pageant coach, studied her moves and proceeded to take home the $2,000 top prize and a $20,000 scholarship to study broadcasting in the U.S. She and her family have written off bitter feelings about her nationality as sour grapes that comes from open competition.
This isn’t Panesar’s first brush with fame as she starred in the British version of My Super Sweet 16 where she had a Moulin Rouge themed birthday party. She also is a teen pageant veteran having already won the crown of Miss Teen Wales. Here is what she had to say about her victory:
“I didn’t think I would actually win because I’m British, so I thought there was no chance I was going to win an American pageant. So when it got to me and one other person I thought I was going to come second. Then they announced the first runner up and I began walking forward before I realised it wasn’t my name. My mum was sitting there crying her eyes out and my dad didn’t know what to do with himself. My grandparents were on the phone – they were all so proud.”
Her mother spoke on behalf of her daughter in regards to the negative reaction of a foreigner stealing America’s crown:
“I did not hear anyone say anything nasty about her being British when we were there but I have heard it since and it is sour grapes. You are always going to get that, it is the nature of competition. For every person who says ‘well done’ there will be someone who complains behind her back.”
Pageant founder Michael Galanes admits that the decision caused a stir but claims pint blank that her participation and win were within the rules.
Top Photo: Modelmanagement.com
