Italy Mora, the Miss Universe contestant representing Panama, has been disqualified some few hours to the competition’s grand finale.
The finale of the global contest will take place in Mexico on Saturday, 16 November 2024.
While the official reason for her dismissal hasn’t been disclosed, the New York Post reports that she was expelled following an unauthorised visit to her boyfriend, Juan Abadia’s hotel room in Mexico.
Denying the rumours, Italy Mora stated that she was expelled after she had heated exchange with the director of Miss Universe Panama, Cesar Anel Rodriguez, over the event’s poor organisation.
She claimed that her boyfriend was present during the argument.
According to her, the exchange escalated when her boyfriend revealed that he had covered her expenses, including a $7,000 Carolina Herrera dress, due to the organisation’s neglect.
Mora was expelled after a pageant staff found her with her boyfriend, leading to allegations of an unauthorised visit to his hotel room.