TVB Responds After Several Contestants for Miss Hong Kong Withdrew Due to its Contract

Imagine you’ve worked hard to secure a contract in the entertainment industry, but when you saw the contract, you decided to drop out.

This allegedly happened over in Hong Kong, although it’s unknown what prompted the withdrawal.

TVB Responds After Several Contestants for Miss Hong Kong Withdrew Due to its Contract

In early July 2024, six frontrunners for the Miss Hong Kong pageant withdrew from the competition due to concerns over the “strict contract” required by TVB, the broadcaster organizing the event.

The contestants who withdrew included:

• Huang Yan
• Caroline Lin
• Annie Zhang
• Christina Zhao
• Crystal Ng
• Jackie Lei

According to reports, the women decided not to proceed after learning more details about TVB’s contract during the second round of auditions and interviews.

The contract, according to some of them, was apparently “strict”.

Huang Yan, who was considered a favorite, said “I didn’t expect it to be so strict” regarding the contract terms. The withdrawals of Huang and the other five frontrunners came as a surprise, as they were seen as strong contenders for the Miss Hong Kong 2024 crown.

Some of them have announced their decisions online, either on Instagram or Xiaohongshu.

TVB Responds to Allegations

On 5 July 2024, TVB issued an official response to “set the record straight” regarding the “fairness of contracts” and “transparency and protection”.

In the statement, TVB said:

• They have “consistently dedicated limitless resources to the Miss Hong Kong Pageant” to enable contestants to demonstrate team spirit, talent, beauty and elegance.
• They have “always respected freedom of speech and expected mutual respect among all parties”.
• However, people “should not prioritise the pursuit of web traffic and increased attention in a manner that compromises the fundamental principles” of the pageant.
• They reserve the right to pursue legal actions in the case of false statements being made.

About Miss Hong Kong 2024

Applications for the pageant were accepted until 10 June 2024. The competition was open to women aged 17-27 to showcase their beauty, intelligence and talent.

The first round of interviews for the 52nd Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2024 kicked off on 17 June 2024 at TVB City. Over 100 contestants participated, with about half from Mainland China and others returning from overseas to compete.

The reigning Miss Hong Kong 2023, Hilary Chong, and first runner-up Lynn Wang are preparing to step down and crown their successors at the 2024 pageant finals in September.