Italy Mora, the Miss Universe contestant representing Panama, has been disqualified just hours before the grand finale, scheduled for November 16, 2024, in Mexico.
While official reasons for her disqualification remain undisclosed, The New York Post reports that she was expelled after an unauthorized visit to her boyfriend Juan Abadia’s hotel room. However, Mora denies this claim, suggesting her expulsion followed a heated argument with Cesar Anel Rodriguez, the director of Miss Universe Panama, over what she described as poor event organization.
According to Mora, the confrontation intensified when her boyfriend disclosed he had covered several of her expenses, including a $7,000 Carolina Herrera dress, due to what he described as the organization’s neglect.
Miss Universe staff allegedly discovered Mora with her boyfriend, leading to allegations of rule violations regarding visits to participants’ quarters.
As the global pageant continues, this incident has added a layer of drama to the competition, stirring debates about organizational accountability and participant rights. The finale will proceed with contestants from other countries vying for the prestigious crown.
