The alleged winners of Vietnam’s Next Top Model in photograph leaked on the internet

Losing contestants Hoang Anh, Phuong Nghi and Thuy Duong, may face fines of up to VND5 billion (USD238,095) each after they allegedly breached the show’s confidentiality clause.

Last week, a picture of contestants Le Thi Thuy, Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, Tra My and Hoang Thi Thuy were released on the internet following their appearance at a Singaporean fashion show.

Vietnam’s Next Top Model is now on its 9th round, and is currently selecting eight potential candidates for the Top Model prize.

Le Thi Quynh Trang, Executive Producer of the Vietnam’s Next Top Model, said that in the original US version of Next Top Model, contestants are required to sign a confidentiality contract. Anyone who violates the regulation would face a court case in which they would be sued for USD5 million. However, in the Vietnamese version, the potential fine has been reduced to VND5 billion.

No co-operation

The show’s Executive Producer Ms Trang said on November 30 that the producer had invited losers Hoang Oanh, Phuong Nghi and Thuy Duong for a meeting with the show’s lawyers, but the women had yet to respond.

One of them said that she was too busy and wanted to change the appointment to December 1, while the other two had refused to co-operate at all, Trang said.

She added that, “If they keep up with their attitude, the producers will take other measures.”

According to VietnamNet, Hoang Oanh said she was unable to answer any questions by phone, and would only reply to questions put by email.

Hoang Oanh, eliminated in the 8th episode, publicly criticised the show and the judges on her Facebook page, saying they had been unfair to her.

Judge Do Manh Cuong, one of Vietnam’s top fashion designers fought back, calling the young model “uneducated” while saying he would never allow Hoang Oanh to participate in his shows because of her arrogant and self-centred behaviour.

Trang emphasised that strict punishments should be imposed on those who blackened the popular show’s prestige.