MISS Singapore Universe Rachel Kum has come under fire from netizens after racy photos of her started circulating on the Internet, less than two months before she is to represent Singapore at the Miss Universe competition.
Pictures that seemed to be taken off a blog and posted on citizen journalism site Stomp showed the 24-year-old brand manager posing with a blown-up sex doll, a cake with a phallic symbol and a friend dressed in a phallic-looking costume.
Stomp was not able to verify when the pictures were taken. But one of the directors of Derrol Stepenny, which organises the beauty pageant, said that Rachel had said the photo of the cake had been taken during her 21st birthday, while the other two were taken during Halloween.
'It's no big deal, they were just photos taken during some parties people threw for her,' said Mr Daryl Pang to The New Paper, adding that Rachel had seen the pictures online and had spoken to him about them.
'Rachel was upset about the photos. Anyone will get mad. But she wasn't worried of being stripped of her title,' said Mr Pang. The pageant organiser has also stated that it had no intention of doing so, The New Paper reported on Thursday.
But Netizens didn't seem to think so. Comments on Stomp showed that most viewed her photos with distaste and were critical of Rachel.
'Why must she behave so lowly... just to attract attention. Being a representative to the Miss Universe Singapore 2009, she must live up to herself. I do hope that the organiser steps in and strips her of the undeserved title. We the citizens of Singapore do not want her to spoil the image of this tiny island!' wrote kakakik on Stomp.
Agreeing, Adamgarcia wrote: 'We want girls with brain and class to represent Singapore. What kind of image does it represent for Singapore girls. Slutty hot and bimbo?'
'Shame Shame Shame... Disgrace... I believe that any gals from the streets are better than you!!! Take her Ms Singapore away,' wrote appelchan16.
Some, however, did not find her photos an issue. Said stormlab: 'What's so slutty about these child's play photos?!'
Added florawinx: 'Modelling assignment, so what's wrong with all these pictures? u live in the 60s??
Some even defended her and criticised the online intrusion into Rachel's life.
Wrote idiotswillalwaysbeidiots: 'I see nothing wrong with the pictures. But there's definitely something wrong for us to intrude her personal life and blow this matter out of proportion. And I don't see why one has to be a saint to be Ms Singapore Universe.'
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_400888.html
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