Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Viral Video Fuels Claims Sushmita Sen Ignored Pageant Winner
Kaziah Liz Mejo won the Miss Universe India 2026 title.
She is expected to represent India at Miss Universe 2026.
After the results, a video showed Sushmita Sen helping runner-up Vaishnavi Ganesh with her crown.
Sushmita then appeared to pass Kaziah while looking toward someone else.
Some people online thought this meant Sushmita ignored Kaziah.
Other people defended Kaziah and praised her confidence.
A few users also claimed the competition was fixed, but the article only reports those comments.
No one involved has publicly responded to the controversy.
Kaziah Liz Mejo was announced as Miss Universe India 2026 and will represent India at Miss Universe 2026.
A viral clip shows Sushmita Sen adjusting runner-up Vaishnavi Ganesh’s crown before passing Kaziah onstage.
Some social media users interpreted the moment as Sushmita ignoring or dismissing Kaziah.
Other users praised Kaziah’s confidence, while some questioned whether the pageant result was fixed.
Sushmita Sen, Kaziah Liz Mejo and Vaishnavi Ganesh have not commented on the controversy.
- Who
- Kaziah Liz Mejo, Sushmita Sen, Vaishnavi Ganesh and other Miss Universe India 2026 panelists and contestants.
- What
- A viral video prompted claims that Sushmita Sen ignored winner Kaziah Liz Mejo, along with questions about the pageant result.
- When
- After the Miss Universe India 2026 results were announced; the Miss Universe 2026 finale is scheduled for November 24, 2026.
- Where
- Onstage at the Miss Universe India 2026 pageant.
- Why
- The video appeared to show Sushmita adjusting Vaishnavi Ganesh’s crown and then passing Kaziah, leading viewers to interpret the interaction differently.
Online Critics
Alternative Interpretation
Whether Kaziah was ignored
Online Critics
Some users interpreted Sushmita Sen’s passing moment as dismissive or disappointing toward Kaziah Liz Mejo.
Alternative Interpretation
The described clip shows Sushmita smiling and appearing to respond to another person across the stage, so the moment may not establish that she intentionally ignored Kaziah.
The pageant result
Online Critics
Some commenters claimed Kaziah was a predetermined or fixed winner and said she received an easier question.
Alternative Interpretation
Other users defended Kaziah, praising her answers, confidence and stage presence as reasons she deserved the crown.
Sushmita’s interaction with Vaishnavi
Online Critics
Critics focused on Sushmita helping Vaishnavi Ganesh and contrasted that visible encouragement with her brief interaction near Kaziah.
Alternative Interpretation
Another commenter said Sushmita encouraged Vaishnavi because Vaishnavi had performed very well.
- Winner
- Kaziah Liz Mejo was announced as Miss Universe India 2026.
- Runner-up
- Vaishnavi Ganesh emerged as the first runner-up.
- Representation
- Kaziah is scheduled to represent India at Miss Universe 2026.
- Miss Universe finale
- The finale is scheduled for November 24, 2026.
- Viral moment
- The clip shows Sushmita Sen fixing Vaishnavi Ganesh’s crown before appearing to pass Kaziah.
- Public response
- Some users called the interaction dismissive, while others praised Kaziah’s confidence.
- Official response
- Sushmita Sen, Kaziah Liz Mejo and Vaishnavi Ganesh had not commented at the time of the report.