Just days before the grand finale, the prestigious pageant disqualified 19-year-old Italy Mora. The young woman, who was set to represent Panama, has been at the center of a brewing “personal” scandal that has rocked the Miss Universe organization.
Unauthorized Hotel Room Visit Leads To Dismissal
The Miss Universe organization announced Mora’s expulsion from the competition following an “exhaustive evaluation by our disciplinary commission.” The Miss Universe organization left the specifics of her violation vague, but rumors quickly swirled that the young woman had made an unauthorized visit to her boyfriend’s hotel room in Mexico City, the competition’s host city.
Mora’s actions, according to the Miss Universe organization, were a “personal error,” which resulted in her immediate dismissal from the contest, which will feature 130 contestants from around the world on November 16th.
Mora Disputes Narrative, Cites Organizational Issues
However, Mora has disputed the narrative surrounding her disqualification. In an interview with local media, the former Miss Panama contestant claimed that her removal from the pageant was actually the result of a heated argument with Miss Universe Panama Director, César Anel Rodríguez.
Lack Of Support And Organizational Challenges
Mora alleged that the disagreement stemmed from the event’s lack of organization and Rodríguez’s failure to provide adequate support. She claimed that Rodríguez had admitted to financial constraints, forcing Mora’s boyfriend, Juan Abadía, to step in and cover critical expenses, including a $7,000 Carolina Herrera dress and hotel fees.
Boyfriend Involvement And Contradictory Claims
Abadía, who was present during the tiff between Mora and Rodriguez, corroborated Mora’s account. He stated that Mora “didn’t even have essentials—no shoes, no dress,” and that he had to step in to ensure she was properly prepared for the competition.
This relationship with Mora’s boyfriend appears to be the controversy. Pageant staff reportedly spotted Mora and Abadía together in his hotel room, leading to allegations of an unauthorized visit. Mora claimed that Rodríguez had actually facilitated the situation, stating that he had told her, “You have to give Italy the key to go up to the room at dawn.”
Mora’s Plea For Fairness And Transparency
Mora expressed her disappointment with the organization’s decision, acknowledging the rules but lamenting the lack of clarity and fairness in the process. She expressed her disappointment with the organization’s decision, acknowledging the lack of clarity and fairness in the process.
Consequences And Unresolved Questions
Despite Mora’s attempts to plead her case, the Miss Universe organization ultimately stood by its decision to disqualify her. Panama’s Miss Universe organization has already announced that it will focus on finding a delegate for next year’s event, resulting in the country’s lack of representation in this year’s competition.
The controversy has not only ended Mora’s pageant journey but has also sparked broader conversations about contestant support and transparency within the Miss Universe framework. Despite Rodriguez’s silence on the allegations, many questions surrounding the incident remain unanswered.
Moving Forward Amidst The Fallout
For now, Mora faces the challenge of rebuilding her reputation amid the fallout from this scandal. “If I weren’t with my boyfriend, I’d be struggling even more,” she said, highlighting the personal toll of the situation. As the Miss Universe competition continues, the spotlight remains firmly on this unexpected and dramatic turn of events.
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