Karolina Shiino, the recently crowned Miss Japan, has decided to relinquish her title following a tabloid revelation about her involvement in an affair with a married man.
The 26-year-old Ukraine-born beauty queen faced public scrutiny, not only for her recent win but also for her heritage, which stirred debate among the public.
While some welcomed Shiino as a naturalized citizen, others argued that she did not embody traditional Japanese beauty ideals.
The controversy escalated when a local magazine, Shukan Bunshun, published an exposé, alleging that Shiino had engaged in a relationship with a married influencer and doctor.
The man involved has chosen to remain silent on the matter.
Initially, the pageant organizers defended Shiino, claiming she was unaware of the man’s marital status.
However, in a surprising turn of events, on Monday, the organizers revealed that Shiino had confessed to knowing about the man’s marriage and family.
In response, she apologized to her fans and the public, acknowledging that her actions were driven by fear and panic in the face of the report.
In a statement, Shiino expressed deep regret, saying, “I am truly sorry for the huge trouble I have caused and for betraying those who supported me.”
The Miss Japan Association accepted her resignation, leaving the title vacant for the rest of the year, despite having several runner-ups.
The competition, which took place on January 22, marked a historic moment as Shiino became the first person of European descent to hold the title.
Born in Ukraine, she moved to Japan at age five with her mother, adopting her stepfather’s Japanese last name.
Fluent in spoken and written Japanese, she became a naturalized citizen in 2022.
In her acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude for being recognized as Japanese, despite facing challenges to acceptance in the past.
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