Miss Universe Argentina delegate stripped of title following claims of rigged competition
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) "immediately" withdrew the title of Magali Benejam, the contestant who represented Argentina in the pageant's 73rd edition, after she claimed that the international competition was "fixed" every year.
"The Miss Universe Organization wishes to communicate an important decision regarding its current representative from Argentina. After a thorough review of recent public comments made by Miss Magali Benejam, and based on our core principles, we have decided to withdraw immediately the title of Miss Universe Argentina from Miss Benejam," the MUO said in a press release.
It added, "Our values focus on celebrating diversity, promoting inclusion, and respecting all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or experiences. The words and actions of our representatives must reflect these unwavering principles to which all participants commit upon joining the Miss Universe community."
According to the organization, their decision was rooted in their commitment to "uphold the highest standards of personal and professional conduct," emphasizing that the move was "taken to protect the integrity of the organization and the opportunities it provides to women around the world."
MUO concluded their statement thanking the public for their support and understanding.
The statement came after Benejam, one of the Top 12 finalists in the pageant's latest edition, made allegations in a live YouTube broadcast with content creator King Lucho. According to her, the pageant was "fixed" every year, expressing her doubts about the legitimacy of the competition.
"When they announced the Top 5, I saw the judges looking at each other in [strange] ways," Benejam claimed as per translation by the Latin Times.
She added, "They started looking at each other as if to say, 'This is not what we chose, this is not what I chose.' That's what it felt like from the outside and that's where I said, 'OK, this is fixed.' It was always fixed every year."
Benejam also claimed that Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark knew she was going to win as she had at least three security guards with her during the final days of the competition. She also stated that people even told her the outcome was decided 10 days before the competition.
Moreover, Benejam also made some negative comments against her fellow queens, including Puerto Rico's Jennifer Colon, another Top 12 finalist. She said Colon is not friendly and wears the "worst" gown during the competition.
"I spoke to her a couple of times, but the last few days she decided to stop talking to me, I don't know why,' Benejam said, as per translation by the Daily Mail.
Benejam also accused Miss Dominican Republic Celinee Santos of misbehavior, as the latter interrupted the former in group videos and cut in line during an event.
The 73rd edition of the pageant saw 125 delegates from around the globe, the largest number of candidates in the pageant’s history. The organization also introduced a new format, which included naming four continental queens in addition to the winner and runner-ups.
Theilvig has been crowned the 73rd Miss Universe, marking a historic win for her country. This is the first time since 1957 that Denmark has landed in the top five of the competition, which took place on Sunday, Nov. 17 in Mexico City. She became the first Danish woman to claim the Miss Universe crown, defeating 124 other contestants, including the Philippines' Chelsea Manalo.
