By Meena Kar
Aug 12, (THAINDIAN NEWS) A spat over Facebook photos led to the untimely dethroning of a beauty queen in New Zealand. 15 year old Olivia O’Neal could have never imagined that she will have to give up the crown of Miss Teen Wanganui just months after winning the title. The problem started when the teenage pageant winner posted her photos on Facebook with dark brown hair. Considering that she was blond at the time of crowning, the change of image perturbed one of the organizers of the pageant who criticized the teenager for dyeing her hair.

Barbara Osbourne, the organizer, expressed complete shock at the photos of the teenager in dark brown hair and asked whether it was a wig. Olivia O’Neal told her that she had dyed her hair dark brown and if she was not allowed to choose her own hair color then the pageant life might not be for her. The spat ended with Barbara Osbourne asking Olivia O’Neal to hand back her crown. While handing back the crown Barbara Osbourne has also, allegedly, told Olivia O’Neal that she will not go far in the world. The harsh comments have caused a great deal of debate on the pressure on the teenagers who compete in the pageants and also their treatment by the organizers.

A spokesperson for the pageant admitted to the New Zealand media that Olivia O’Neal was stripped of the crown because of the hair dye. He added that the alleged harsh treatment of the girls is an exaggeration by the teenager. He has also asked Olivia O’Neal and her parents to clarify their allegations in a debate on live TV.