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@VernChazJustice @TentPoleProductions @FrissonCola @SwooshAirlines #IDontStandWithRoyce

@TentPoleProductions Update: We are still in discussions with our sponsors. We urge to everyone address their concerns in a civil manner and to not dox or send death threats. We will be involving the police should we feel that our contestants and our crew are unsafe.

StraitsNews.com

In a rare interview with the media, former beauty queen Ming Taslim speaks to our reporter Alisha Carter about a conspiracy to target her son and their family, by extension. Here are some key moments as transcribed:

MT:"I want to state unequivocally that my family had nothing to do with this sponsorship. My son has been through a lot this past week. He's had death threats! He wanted to drop out to spare our family further controversy, and at first my husband and I were on board, but after much discussion, we decided that it wouldn't fix the problem. It would look like we were guilty when we are guilty of nothing."

AC:."Certainly there are trolls out there who seem determined to take matters into their own hands—"

MT:"I've told my son many times that some sectors of entertainment—and I speak as someone who's had some experience as an entertainer, Alisha, mind you—is just brimming with toxicity, and stand-up is one of them. Let's talk about #MeToo and how we still haven't resolved some of allegations brought up against famous comics.…"

@TentPoleProductions We have received official notice of a contestant dropping out due to the media scrutiny. We are unable to release their name for now. Thank you for your understanding.

@FrissonCola We would like to state unequivocally that our decision to increase the sponsorship amount was agreed independently with the co-sponsor in light of the overwhelming interest in the competition even before the finals and was not intended to benefit Royce Taslim.

In light of the controversy, we are in discussions with another sponsor to take over our amount, so that there is no longer any contention about the independence of the competition.

If no sponsor can be found in time for the finals in four days, it is likely that the event will be canceled.