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S'pore pageant contestant says he was kissed and touched without consent at international competition
A Singaporean pageant contestant has spoken out about what he describes as inappropriate behaviour at an international pageant held in Thailand earlier this month.
Jeremy Chase Ng, 33, told Stomp that he was kissed and touched by guests during the Mister National Universe 2025 competition in Hua Hin without his consent.
Mr Ng, who was crowned Mister National Universe Singapore 2025 in Malaysia on June 7, said he had been persuaded by a designer he knew to represent Singapore at the global event.
He flew to Thailand on June 14 and said things took a turn on the second night of the competition.
"We were told that guests could touch and kiss us, but not our private parts," said Mr Ng, adding that guests, mostly older women, were invited to buy flowers to vote for contestants and could place them around their necks.
"A mature woman ran to me and rubbed her body against me.
"I smiled awkwardly and thanked her for the flowers but another grabbed me and tried to kiss me on the lips.
"I pushed her away immediately but she continued to force a kiss on my cheek.
"I ran backstage and quickly put on my shirt."
He said he felt pressured to go along as the flowers contributed to the Mister Popular vote, which could affect a contestant's chance at the finals.
Mr Ng said he told the organisers he was uncomfortable and left the next morning.
"I didn't sign a contract, so I could walk away. But after I left, I received threats and was shamed for my appearance and sexuality," he said.
In response to a Stomp query, Mister National Universe pageant founder Tanya Siri Vijitsomphong said: "We did not force anyone to do anything they were uncomfortable with. Jeremy could have chosen to sit down and not accept the flowers."
"We try our best to make all our contestants happy. Organising an international pageant cost us over US$100,000," she said.
According to her, the other 16 candidates were 'really happy' to have the support of older women buying them flowers and hugging them because 'they are happy to see these people happy'.
She added that the flower sales were only for the popularity vote and not the main title and denied that the guests committed sexual harassment.
"I'm very disappointed in Jeremy, he apologised to me when he left but is now discrediting us online," she said, adding that she will be taking legal action.
Mr Ng said he is speaking up to protect other contestants.
He added that he is doing whatever he can on his own.
"I don't have any manager to protect me," he said.
"Our bodies should not be touched or kissed without consent. What happened was not right."
