Malaysian Transgender Beauty Queen Told to “Go Back Home” at Miss International Queen 2024

On August 24, 2024, A video posted by The Smart Local on Facebook shows the heated moments backstage at the Miss International Queen (MIQ) 2024 pageant in Pattaya, Thailand. The incident involved the Malaysian representative, Eva Foster, and a fellow candidate, escalating to a point where a staff member reportedly told Foster to “go back home.”

The exchange, which was initially sparked by Foster’s refusal to return to the stage after her elimination, quickly turned into a viral sensation when Foster went live on social media, accusing the pageant of being a “cooking show” due to the final results.

What Happened

According to a report by JoxJox.co, Esmon Kanvara Kaeojin, Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2018, was directly involved in the incident and provided further details. Foster, who was visibly upset about not making it to the next round, refused to participate in the swimsuit segment.

In an attempt to avoid returning to the stage, she allegedly hid the swimsuit prepared by the organizers. Esmon explained that when Foster was asked to return to the stage, she refused, prompting her and a staff member to make the “go back home” remark.

The situation escalated when Foster began telling other contestants that there was no point in going on stage if they were already eliminated. According to Esmon, Foster then threw a comb at her before pointing fingers and yelling.

This incident, together with her live broadcast during the ongoing event, in which she called it a “cooking show” led to a significant backlash from the pageant community, especially among Thai fans.

Screengrabs from The Smart Local Malaysia FB Video

Eva Foster’s Response and Public Apology

Two days after the incident, on August 26, Foster issued a public apology to the people of Thailand through her Instagram post. In her statement, she expressed regret for her actions, particularly for the chaos caused by her refusal to return to the stage during the swimsuit round. Foster explained that she was deeply disappointed by her elimination but acknowledged that her reaction was not appropriate.

“I am sorry for the chaos that I made, and I have learned from my mistake,” Foster stated. “I love all of you and thank you for welcoming me into your beautiful country.”

Public Response to Her Apology

Despite her apology, the public reaction to Foster’s apology was mixed. Some supported her, acknowledging the pressure and disappointment she faced, while others criticized her for her behavior.

One Thai commenter responded with “อีควาย รับบทนางโดนรังแก,” translating to “Stupid cow playing the victim role,” which implied she was playing the victim in the whole situation.

Similarly, another Thai comment described her as “เหมือนกบชรา อุบาท ขายเปรต,” which translates to “Like an old, vicious frog selling ghosts.” It describes someone or something as very unpleasant or corrupt, comparing it to an old, gross toad and using “selling ghosts” to show how deceitful or negative it is.

Aftermath and Reflection

Despite the controversy, Foster used her platform to encourage younger generations and individuals in similar situations not to be afraid to speak up. She urged them to believe in themselves, chase their dreams, and stay true to their values.