A shocking downfall for a beauty queen: From Miss Grand International to a jail cell, former Vietnamese beauty queen Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien has been sentenced to two years in prison for her role in a diet gummy scam. This scandal raises serious questions about the trustworthiness of influencer endorsements and the regulation of health products. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is it fair to blame influencers alone, or should the companies behind these products share more of the responsibility?
On November 20, 2025, a Vietnamese court ruled that Tien, along with two other social media influencers, Pham Quang Linh and Hang Du Muc, had intentionally misled consumers by marketing Kera Supergreens Gummies as a fiber-rich health supplement. The court found that the gummies contained a mere 0.935% fiber, far from the ‘plate of vegetables per gummy’ they claimed. Instead, the product was loaded with over 30% sorbitol, an artificial sweetener with laxative effects, and undisclosed additives. This isn’t just a minor exaggeration—it’s a blatant deception that profited at the expense of unsuspecting consumers.
Tien, who rose to fame after winning the Miss Grand International pageant in Bangkok in 2021, had become a trusted figure in Vietnam, even receiving a certificate of merit from the country’s prime minister. Her endorsement of the gummies, alongside her co-defendants, helped sell over 129,000 packs to more than 56,000 customers, raking in over $650,000. The trio pocketed a staggering $473,000 in profits, according to court documents. And this is the part most people miss: The gummies were a joint venture between Tien and a company set up by the other two influencers, with Tien holding a 30% stake. Was this a case of naive trust or deliberate fraud?
The court was unequivocal in its judgment, stating that the offense was committed intentionally and required strict punishment. But the case also highlights a broader issue: How can consumers protect themselves from misleading health claims, especially when they come from seemingly credible sources? Influencers often present themselves as lifestyle experts, but their endorsements are frequently driven by profit rather than genuine expertise. Should there be stricter regulations on influencer marketing, or is it up to consumers to be more skeptical?
As Tien begins her two-year sentence, the fallout from this scandal extends beyond her personal reputation. It’s a wake-up call for both influencers and their followers. What do you think? Are influencers like Tien solely to blame, or should the companies producing these products face greater scrutiny? Let us know in the comments below.