In an unexpected twist just days before the Miss Universe finale, Italy Mora, Panama’s contestant, has been disqualified following an incident involving her boyfriend. According to reports from the New York Post, Mora’s disqualification stems from her staying overnight with her boyfriend, Juan Abadia, in a separate hotel room in Mexico without the event organizers’ permission. The controversy has led to heated discussions, not only about the Miss Universe rules but also about the high expectations and restrictions placed on contestants.
The Allegations and Mora’s Response
Italy Mora, who was among the top contestants representing Panama, faced strict actions from the Miss Universe Organization after being discovered with her boyfriend. Mora claims, however, that her removal from the competition goes beyond the alleged hotel incident. In a statement shared by Mora, she revealed that her exclusion was influenced by a disagreement with César Anel Rodríguez, the director of Miss Universe Panama, over what she described as “poor organization” throughout the competition. Her boyfriend, Juan Abadia, who was present during the dispute, reportedly mentioned that they had incurred expenses like a $7,000 dress by Carolina Herrera due to organizational issues. Mora maintains that this incident, along with her dissatisfaction with the management, contributed to her abrupt exit.
Miss Universe Organization’s Stand on the Incident
The Miss Universe Organization, in a formal statement, justified its decision to disqualify Mora, emphasizing that their actions were based on a thorough investigation of her conduct. They reiterated that the decision was made with transparency, ensuring respect for all individuals involved in the process. While the organization did not provide extensive details, they emphasized that all contestants are expected to abide by the pageant’s strict policies, especially regarding their conduct during the competition.
Impact on Panama’s Participation and Mora’s Reflection
In a surprising follow-up, the Miss Universe Panama team announced that Panama will not be sending a new representative to replace Mora, effectively ending the country’s participation in this year’s pageant. This decision has highlighted the incident as one of the more significant controversies in the pageant’s history.
Reflecting on the experience, Mora shared that her removal from the competition has impacted her personal image, calling it a challenging time. She stated that had she not been with her boyfriend, the situation could have escalated differently, implying that the outcome was affected by the presence of her partner. Despite the disqualification, she remains committed to moving forward positively.
A Reminder of Strict Rules in the Miss Universe Pageant
The controversy surrounding Italy Mora’s disqualification serves as a reminder of the strict rules governing high-profile pageants like Miss Universe. Such incidents demonstrate the level of discipline expected from participants, who often adhere to a code of conduct that governs their activities, interactions, and public behavior. The Miss Universe competition has seen a few such incidents in the past, where rule violations led to severe consequences, underlining the importance of following guidelines.
With Panama withdrawing from the pageant this year, the incident has sparked debate among pageant fans and raised questions about the balance between personal freedom and professional obligations in such competitions. Italy Mora’s experience will likely remain a talking point for future contestants and organizers.
(Photo credit: Instagram @italy.mora)
