Miss Universe Argentina loses title after controversial remarks about pageant
Magalí Benejam, Miss Universe Argentina, has been stripped of her title after making controversial comments about the Miss Universe competition.
The 30-year-old beauty queen accused the pageant of being rigged during a live interview on January 2. She claimed that judges appeared unhappy with the results during the final in Mexico City last November.
"When they announced the Top 5, the judges looked at each other strangely," she said. "It felt like this was not what they had chosen. It seemed fixed, as it always does every year."
Benejam, who placed 12th, also criticised recent changes in the competition. Miss Universe now allows married women, mothers, and transgender participants to join.
She also commented on the behaviour and outfits of other contestants, including Miss Dominican Republic and Miss Puerto Rico, saying they were unfriendly and their choices didn’t match their earlier styles.
The Miss Universe Organisation announced its decision to remove Benejam’s title, saying her remarks went against the values of inclusion and respect.
“Our representatives must uphold our principles of diversity and respect,” the organisation said in a statement. “This action is taken to protect the integrity of the Miss Universe community.”
Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, 21, from Denmark, won the competition, beating over 120 contestants. Her victory comes after previous controversies, including debates over the inclusion of a transgender contestant in 2022.
