Wearing the sash? Then stump up the cash...
Contestants in a beauty pageant say the cost of winning is £10,000.
Two hopefuls have quit Mrs India UK before today’s final. One said: “I didn’t want to be lumbered with a whopping bill if I win.”
Most beauty pageants incur costs to enter, but Mrs India UK hopefuls say they sign a contract committing the winner to paying almost £4,000 to join an overseas contest.
The fee does not include compulsory flights to the US final, photographers, videographers and hair and make-up stylists.
Contestants said they paid £85 to enter the contest, with successful applicants signing a contract agreeing to compete internationally if they won, or cover costs for a replacement if they pulled out.
They were then billed £1,700 for training. But they said it was only five weeks ago that they were told winning would cost a minimum of £3,750.
Mrs India UK was launched in 2017 by Aditi Patankar, whose events firm BrandWok hosts a number of pageants.
Mohini Srinvasan, 42, crowned Mrs India UK Plus Size last year, said she spent £10,000 in total.
It included £5,250 pageant costs plus thousands for add-ons including stylists and flights.
The mum, from Sevenoaks, Kent, said she was stripped of her title after challenging Mrs Patankar. She said: “I put everything into global success, until I almost got into debt.”
The 28 finalists compete in central London today.
Mrs Patankar said: “All are aware of the international costs – everything. Ours are normal rates.”
On claims of short notice on the £3,750 winner’s fee, she said: “They can always ask and we will tell them the price.”