The world of crowns and sashes is ablaze after a bombshell audio recording involving Italy Mora, the (now former) Miss Panama 2024, was leaked. This scandal has it all: secrets, secret makeup, and a twist that no one saw coming.
In the days leading up to the upcoming Miss Universe competition, the pageant has dominated headlines due to Miss Panama's expulsion. But what really happened?
The leaked audio allegedly features the voice of the Miss Panama director, César Anel Rodríguez, plotting a covert move to help Italy with her makeup. The issue? This plan reportedly violated the pageant's rules.
"Miss Universe has a room reserved for me for 20 days, and that's where the matter is supposed to happen, I mean, where it should be done, but where are we going to get that money from (...) of course, that's the room to fix Italy, quietly, because it's something done under the table, it can't be done," is part of the audio that circulated on social media.
At 19 years old, Italy went from being Panama's most hopeful contender to the center of the year's biggest beauty pageant drama. She said the whole thing stemmed from "leaving the room to get my makeup done and pick up my items."
However, Italy believes the penalty was too harsh. She expressed her thoughts on Instagram stories, saying: "I believe it was a severe measure, and it could have been resolved through dialogue or a warning."
For his part, César Anel Rodríguez did not remain silent. In an Instagram Live of his own, he attempted to explain the situation: "As a young woman, she made a mistake that the organization cannot allow," he said.
While Italy will not compete in Miss Universe 2024, she remains Panama's official queen. Rodríguez said "she is still the queen of our organization and will continue to have our full support and appreciation."
The big question now is: What will happen to Panama's representation at Miss Universe? For now, it seems the country will be without a crown this year.
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