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'They just need to accept they didn't win': Miss Universe Australia runner-up Briden Starr says fellow finalists' claims the pageant was 'rigged' are simply sore losers

Published: 05:07 EST, 13 June 2014 | Updated: 21:51 EST, 13 June 2014

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The Miss Universe Australia pageant is under fire from not one, but finalists who claim this year's competition was 'rigged'.

But fellow finalist, NSW performing arts teacher Briden Starr, says its time for the sore losers to stop with the 'tantrums and tiaras' behaviour.

The talented 22-year-old, who is an accomplished singer, actress and dancer, placed fourth in this year's competition and says she doesn't 'see how it is possible' for the results to be staged.

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'This shouldn't be continuing': Miss Universe Australia runner-up Briden Starr (left) says fellow finalists should end accusations this year's competition was rigged, saying winner Tegan Martin was deserving of the crown

'This shouldn't be continuing': Briden, seen here at the final in Melbourne, told MailOnline Tegan deserved to win

Tegan Martin awarded the Miss Universe crown

Her comments come after two finalists accused this year's judges of favouritism.

NSW entrant Kristy Coulcher originally tweeted the results were 'rigged' when Tegan Martin took the top prize on finals night.

Kristy also said believed the quest would benefit from organiser Deborah Miller having less power.

More recently, entrant Alexandra Ivkovic told the Daily Telegraph that close friendships between select contestants and judges were a potential conflict of interest.

Her comments seemingly referred to a picture of Tegan hugging pageant director Deborah Miller, posted on the organsiser's Instagram account some months before Tegan's eventual win.

Speaking to the MailOnline, Deborah shut down Alexandra's accusations.

Controversial: Finalist Alexandra Ivkovic suggested winner Tegan Martin benefited from her close relationship with pageant director Deborah Miller, who denied the claims.

Miss Universe Australia receives backlash after winning the title

'I'm not on the panel, so I don't understand that comment,' she said.

'I have known Tegan since she first competed in 2010 and again last year, but that's as far as the "friendship" goes,' she added.

She explained the photograph of the pair was more than six months old and from a Miss Universe Australia event when Tegan was the reigning first runner-up.

Her account also features numerous photos of her with different entrants.

'There will always be people who say it is rigged, it's the nature of the beast with pageantry, but we have an accountancy firm called Grant Thornton who audit the whole thing,' she said.

But dancer Briden says her fellow competitor's comments came in the 'the heat of the moment' after losing out to 21 year old Tegan, who had been a finalist twice before, was a deserving winner.

'Tegan is a gorgeous girl who worked very hard,' she told MailOnline.

Causing a stir: A photo on pageant director Deborah Miller's Instagram with Tegan Martin has some wondering if their relationship helped Tegan win the competition, but Deborah has shot down the claims, explaining the

Briden continued that she wasn't surprised Tegan took out the title, given she had been a runner-up in the 2011 and 2013 competitions, and hoped the claims wouldn't cloud her friend's excitement.

'I think the other girls just need to accept they didn't win,' she said. 'This just shouldn't be continuing.'

A spokesperson for Grant Thornton told the MailOnline they had no comment on the accusations.

You beauty! Tegan says she deliberately put on weight to appear healthier after criticisms she had been too thin

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Bonny, Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom, 20 hours ago

dear oh dear.. if these are the winners.. what did the runners up look like.. you need to up the entries Australia.. you see better looking girls walking up the street ....

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Asha, Sydney, 21 hours ago

Tegan is not the prettiest... has weird mouth. These competitions are always rigged and the other contestants heard her practicing her answer before the question was asked. It certainly sounded very prepared.The one accusing the others of 'tantrums' clearly just wants to get in with the organisers and win next time.