Trung KhoaThe Miss Universe 2024 pageant took place at the end of October in Mexico with a large number of contestants, up to 130 people. This season is expected to be full of surprises and excitement due to changes in organization and the record number of contestants. The 2024 season accepts transgender contestants, married contestants, contestants who have had children, and does not limit the age of contestants.
However, after nearly 3 weeks of competition, 3 contestants announced their withdrawal from the competition before the final. The most controversial was the departure of Miss Panama from the competition just a few days after joining.
The crowning moment of Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig (Photo: Miss Universe).
On November 1st, the Miss Universe pageant organizers unexpectedly announced the withdrawal of Miss Italy Johan Mora - representing Panama - from the competition. The organizers stated: "The Miss Universe organization regrets to announce the withdrawal of Miss Panama from the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. This decision was made after careful consideration by our disciplinary committee."
The Miss Universe organization states that the Disciplinary Committee is responsible for maintaining the integrity and value of the competition. They conducted a comprehensive assessment of the issue, based on the information gathered, and concluded that the withdrawal of Miss Italy Johan Mora was an appropriate action given the current circumstances.
Italy Johan Mora's withdrawal from the competition surprised many people as she had already been in Mexico and participated in some activities of the competition. Prior to that, Johan Mora was considered a strong candidate from the Americas region. The 19-year-old model is a longtime model in her home country, with a beautiful face, balanced figure, good presentation skills, and behavior.
Miss Panama - Italy Johan Mora - had to withdraw from the Miss Universe 2024 pageant early (Photo: Instagram).
According to some sources, the representative of Panama was said to have had a conflict with the representative of the Commonwealth of Dominica. They were roommates at this year's pageant and the conflict between the two girls is believed to be the reason why Miss Panama had to return home early.
Speaking out after the incident, Italy Johan Mora expressed regret and claimed that she was treated harshly for a mistake that was not too serious. Italy Johan Mora was stripped of the title of Miss Universe Panama.
One day before the final, the representative of South Africa also announced her withdrawal from the competition for health reasons. Miss Universe South Africa has been highly praised by many specialized websites this season. She is also the first hearing-impaired contestant to participate in Miss Universe and has been attracting attention with her inspiring story.
Many beauty queens criticize their competitors
Before the final, social media spread information that Madina Almukhanova - representing Kazakhstan - made critical comments about some contestants of the Miss Universe pageant. Among them, Almukhanova was said to have commented negatively about the representatives of Vietnam, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Thailand's attitudes at the competition.
Representative of Kazakhstan is suspected of speaking ill of contestants from other countries before the final (Photo: Miss Universe).
Before this information, Madina Almukhanova did not comment. This year, Madina Almukhanova did not achieve any notable results. While the representative of Thailand entered the top 5, the representatives of Vietnam and the Commonwealth of Dominica placed in the top 30 overall.
After the competition, Miss Canada - Ashley Callingbull - unexpectedly shared on her personal page, complaining about the representative of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
"She is a mean girl and doesn't have any real friends at the competition. She looks beautiful on the outside but does not have the attitude of a queen backstage. You need to be beautiful inside and out," Ashley Callingbull said.
The representative of the Commonwealth of Dominica - Celinee Santos - was considered a strong candidate before the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. She has a modern, hot appearance and previously won the 4th runner-up at Miss International 2022.
Miss Universe Celinee Santos of the Commonwealth of Dominica was involved in many controversies at this year's competition (Photo: Miss Universe).
However, Celinee Santos sparked controversy multiple times during her participation in Miss Universe 2024. Ultimately, the beauty Celinee Santos stopped at the top 30 without going further as expected. Before the final, she was highly praised by many specialized websites.
After leaving the competition, Miss Slovakia shared on her personal page: "I cannot hide my emotions and disappointment. I have never been rude to anyone, treating everyone with respect and kindness.
I have not missed any activities or rehearsals, even when tired or sick, but I have never been chosen to participate in any activities or trips outside the hotel despite giving my all every day."
The missuupdates website also shared part of the content from the Miss Universe 2024 group chat. In it, a message in this group chat wrote: "The way we are treated is not what I expected, and sometimes I feel both unfair and inhumane.
This experience has affected me, causing mental and physical stress, something I never anticipated when starting this journey."
Miss Slovakia expresses disappointment in herself about the Miss Universe 2024 competition on her personal page (Photo: News).
Controversial Prize Announcement
Three days after the Miss Universe 2024 final, the organizers are still receiving a lot of criticism. Notably, the lack of attention given by the Miss Universe organization to the 4 runners-up in this year's competition. After the final, they returned to their countries and did not appear in any activities.
The Miss Universe organization announced the 4 beauty queens who won the Miss Universe titles according to their regions at a press conference after the final instead of on the stage during the award ceremony. This action has left many viewers of the competition dissatisfied.
In addition, the Miss Universe organization's decision to merge the two continents of Africa and Oceania into one and award the prize to Miss Nigeria has also sparked controversy on social media.
The representative of Thailand has disappointed many people by only winning the 3rd runner-up at the competition (Photo: MUT).
The decision not to announce awards such as Best National Costume and Best Evening Gown also received criticism for the Miss Universe 2024 organizers.
The final night ended with a well-deserved victory for Miss Denmark Victoria Kjær Theilvig. The blonde beauty was praised for her deserving win. However, after the final, some specialized websites evaluated that the contestant with the most impressive, articulate, and convincing answer was the representative of Thailand. She only won the 3rd runner-up.
Currently, the new Miss Universe - Victoria Kjær Theilvig - is in the United States to participate in organizational activities.
The latest image of the new Miss Universe - Victoria Kjær Theilvig - on the official website of the competition (Photo: MU).
Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig is currently in the United States to carry out her duties (Photo: MU).
