BYE-BYE MGI! On October 19, 2024, Miss Grand Ukraine 2024 Kateryna Bilyk posted on her Instagram account that she has decided to withdraw from the MGI 2024 competition due to health reasons and threats from the organization. Her message reads:
"I, Kateryna Bilyk, am unfortunately forced to withdraw from the Miss Grand International competition due to severe harm to my health caused by the conditions of the event. For two weeks, I was required to participate in activities from 8:00 AM until 11:00 PM or midnight, and on one day from 3:00 AM until 11:00 PM, despite having a fever of 37.5°C to 38.2°C during last 11 days. My condition was documented by a private doctor in Pattaya and the Wyndham Jomtien Pattaya hotel doctor, who also recorded dangerously high blood pressure (142/90 and 151/90) and fiver.
Despite this, I was given an unidentified pill by the MGI team, which posed a potential allergy risk. Although MGI is contractually responsible for my well-being, they caused significant harm to my health and mental state. They failed to call a doctor when I fainted and forced me to continue working with a fever of 38.5°C and pressure of 151/90.
Additionally, the organizers confiscated my passport for three days in Cambodia, unlawfully restricting my freedom of movement.
I have gathered all evidence, including 52GB of videos, photos, receipts, documents, messages, and work schedules. Additionally, they forced me and others to work on a tourist visa is a violation of Thai law.
Furthermore, MGI managers made threatening calls and messages to both me and other people, breaching both my rights and international laws. Any attempt to spread false information or damage my reputation will result in immediate legal action and involvement of the Thai police and Interpol. I reserve the right to pursue legal consequences and financial compensation for the damages caused. "
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBT8JjXCDsr/
Ukraine is the third contestant to withdraw. The first one was Cambodia’s Sotheary Bee who decided not to continue after MGI broke ties with MG Cambodia who was accused by MGI for poorly hosting the early part of the competition in Cambodia. The second contestant was Costa Rica’s Macarena Chamberlain who withdrew after the girls arrived in Thailand, citing mental and physical health due to last-minute changes from the pageant organizers.