Zimbabwe's Mr Ugly competition winner branded 'too handsome' as result sparks riot
'I am naturally ugly. He is not. He is ugly only when he opens his mouth,' says vanquished former champion
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The winner of Zimbabwe’s fourth annual Mister Ugly contest has been crowned, upsetting supporters of the crowd’s favourite and prompting rioting at the event.
Judges picked 42-year-old Milton Sere, citing his numerous missing front teeth and a wide range of grotesque facial expressions, over William Masvinu, the title holder since 2012.
Mr Masvinu and his supporters mobbed the judges upon hearing their decision at the end of Saturday’s contest, claiming Mr Sere was “too handsome” to win and his ugliness was not natural since it was based on missing teeth. “I am naturally ugly. He is not. He is ugly only when he opens his mouth,” said Mr Masvinu, gesturing at his rival.
“Do we have to lose our teeth to win? This is cheating,” shouted Patrick Mupereki, another contestant. While no one was injured, there was a great deal of pushing and shoving as the results were announced and insults were hurled at the judges.
Mr Sere dismissed the critics as “sore losers” as he pocketed the $500 (£428) in winnings. “They should just accept that I am uglier than them,” he said. “I hope to get a TV contract. I already moved around schools performing and showcasing my ugliness, so this is a chance to make it on TV.”
The complaints from Mr Masvinu and the other contestants may have a degree of validity. Organisers had previously announced that disabilities or enhancements would not be accepted in the competition, which should focus on “natural ugliness”.
David Machowa, the organiser of the pageant, originally told the Associated Press that he began the contest to remove the stigma of ugliness, saying: “Looks are God-given. We should all be proud of who we are.”
The contest involved three rounds of modelling, with individual and group struts down a catwalk of a Harare nightclub. “Sere made tremendous effort to enhance his ugliness by pulling facial stunts,” said judge Abigail Mataranyika, a university student.
“Masvinu thought he was so ugly that he didn’t need to try hard. That cost him the crown.”
Associated Press
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments