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Family of Miss Teen BVI contestant accuses pageant director of bias

The family of J'Seanna J. Barnes (left) have accused the Director of the Miss Teen BVI Pageant, Rupert Vanterpool Jr, of favouritism. Photo: Facebook
Mr Rubert Vanterpool Jr has not responded to the allegations of bias against him. Photo: Facebook
Mr Rubert Vanterpool Jr has not responded to the allegations of bias against him. Photo: Facebook
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI- Controversy erupted at the Miss Teen BVI 2025 Pageant at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on Saturday night, October 4, 2025.

According to reports reaching our News Centre, the family of First Runner Up, J'Seanna J. Barnes, has accused the Director of the pageant, Mr Rupert Vanterpool Jr of not being impartial.

The mother of Ms Barnes, Seanelle Jones, made her feelings felt about Mr Vanterpool by taking to the stage and telling them about her grievances.

Audio clip

The family then played an audio clip over a loudspeaker outside of the auditorium, which they claimed was the voice of Mr Vanterpool prior to the pageant.

In their mind she should be winning, but she can’t win the show," the person on the audio clip could be heard saying about Ms Barnes.

The family claimed a winner was decided by Mr Vanterpool even before the pageant was held.

There was police presence at rhe pageant but it is unclear who summoned them.

Mr Vanterpool did not respond to our request for a comment.

The family of Ms Barnes said Mr Vanterpool has since reached out to Ms Barnes, however, could not say what the communication entailed.

7 Responses to “Family of Miss Teen BVI contestant accuses pageant director of bias”

  • Yes (05/10/2025, 13:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now you know
  • … (05/10/2025, 13:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a shame
  • hmm (05/10/2025, 13:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ohhhh wowwww
  • This (05/10/2025, 13:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is why you should not allow your children to be humiliated by putting them contest in pageant of such. This sort of bias will always be a problem.

    Congrats to the winner. She has noting todo with the outcome.
  • Sorry Ma'am (05/10/2025, 14:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    But that's how it goes in our Beautiful BVI.....

    Sad but True .
  • Lack of class (05/10/2025, 14:52) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    The daughter must be so embarrassed - after the ridiculous things she and the other contestant had to do on stage, to then have her mother make a complete fool of herself must have been excruciatingly embarrassing.
    Did the mother confirm that she had tried to bribe the organiser, and if not why was she paying $400 plus dollars. Was the voting procedure one of the one where you have to purchase votes and can vote many times.
    I am sorry for the loser (first runner up in a contest of two) and for the winner whose day was ruined by the lack of class mother of the loser.
  • Well (05/10/2025, 15:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The turth is, events here in the BVI are not fair, it’s about who they decide should win. They are lookin for people to just participate. So this is not a shock. Take miss BVI for example. What a joke. And if you try to take a stand you become public enemy number 1. Nothing will become of this. The same cycle repeats itself


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