The committee of “Miss Uncensored News Thailand” — a beauty contest open to transwomen and women — dismissed the rumor that it had stripped the recent winner, a 17-year-old garbage collector, of her title because she lied about graduating high school.
After living her life on the poverty line, the future of Kanittha “Mint” Pasaeng started to shine bright when she was crowned “Miss Uncensored” last month.
The photo of the down-to-earth beauty queen prostrating at her mother’s feet was adored by the internet.
“I started helping my mom collect garbage when I was in elementary school,” Mint said. “Am I ashamed? No. I am proud because it is a legal job. I grew up and got an education because my garbage-collecting mother raised me.”
However, it emerged yesterday that Mint, who is now an internet sweetheart, lied about graduating high school to enter the contest. She only finished Mathayom 3.
“The committee did not take away her crown or prize money. Please support Mint,” said Miss Uncensored in a statement today.
The committee came out to defend the beauty queen after the revelation spread online.
“I actually left school at Mathayom 2 and got a non-formal education to finish Mathayom 3,” she said yesterday. “I did not intend to deceive anyone, but I was afraid I would not be able to enter the contest.”
Mint begged the committee, through the media, not to strip her of her crown, saying she had already passed on the prize money to her family.
With her contract with Miss Uncensored, we will see more of Mint in the entertainment industry soon, Thairath reported.
Photos: Miss Uncensored News Thailand
