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The Miss Universe pageant is synonymous with glamour, ambition, and hard work, celebrating women from across the globe. However, beneath the glittering tiaras and sashes, the journey of a few titleholders has been mired in controversy, and some have lost their crowns entirely.
Here are the most notable cases in which Miss Universe winners lost their titles unprecedentedly.
Why Titles Are Taken Away
The Miss Universe Organization has strict rules for its titleholders. Winners are expected to dedicate their year to the role, participating in charity events, public appearances, and endorsements. Failure to meet these expectations or involvement in scandals can jeopardize their reign. While losing the title of Miss Universe can be a significant blow, many dethroned queens have succeeded in other areas.
During the 2024 Miss Universe competition, the Miss Universe Organization disqualified Italy Mora, representing Panama. The organization announced her departure, referencing an "exhaustive evaluation by our disciplinary commission." However, the organization did not provide specific details or reasons behind Mora's dismissal, leaving many questions unanswered.
Italy addressed the situation in an interview with "La Mordida," expressing disappointment. She shared that the ordeal has taken an emotional toll, stating, "There's a lot of speculation that needs to be cleared up because it's impacting my reputation, and emotionally, it's been difficult." Joined by her boyfriend, Juan Abadía, Italy added, "If I weren't with my boyfriend, I'd be struggling even more."
Italy provided a detailed timeline of events, revealing that tensions arose when she met with her boyfriend. According to Italy, the head of Señorita Panamá, César Anel Rodríguez, was aware of the meeting and even coordinated the room access with her boyfriend. "I was talking to my boyfriend, and he told that he was going to give me some things, and asked me to go to the hotel's gym," she said. "There are chats, where he says: 'You have to give Italy the key to go up to the room at dawn.'"
She also noted financial challenges, explaining that her boyfriend covered the hotel room fees, which César reportedly couldn't afford. "César said that he did not have money to pay for it and how would we do my makeup? Well, the room was paid for, and everything was planned to do my makeup at dawn," she said, referencing her look at the Catrina's Gala.
Italy shared that only 20 minutes after César left, pageant staff arrived at her room, where her boyfriend was present. "They never entered the room, they didn't know if there were more people there. Clearly they saw my boyfriend, because he opened the door and obviously they saw us alone," she said. "They have every right to make thousands of speculations, because there were only the two of us and he couldn't be there. What people don't know is that Cesar stayed in that room."
Most recent case
In 2025, nearly two months after Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe, her former competitor, Magalí Benejam, Argentina's representative in the 2024 competition, was stripped of her title due to controversial comments made during a recent interview.
"After a thorough review of Miss Magalí Benejam's public statements, and in line with our core principles, we have decided to immediately withdraw the title of Miss Universe Argentina from her," the organization stated in a press release published on January 2. "Our mission is to celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and respect all people, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or experiences. Representatives of our organization must uphold these principles, which are central to the Miss Universe community."
The organization explained that the decision was made carefully: "This action aligns with our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. It is necessary to protect the integrity of the organization and the opportunities it provides to women worldwide." The statement highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure the Miss Universe Organization remains a global example of excellence.