Italy Mora, who represented Panama in the Miss Universe 2024 beauty pageant, was ruled out just hours before the grand finale in Mexico on November 16th.
Although it was never explained officially, there were reports that she had been kicked out for an unauthorized visit to her boyfriend Juan Abadia’s hotel room. Mora denied it, saying that she was removed after a heated argument over poor event organization with Cesar Anel Rodriguez, the head of Miss Universe Panama.
Mora said her boyfriend confessed during the fight that he had covered her expenses, including a $7,000 Carolina Herrera dress, because the organization was neglecting her.
The incident polarized fans, and the controversy has taken some sparkle off of tonight’s finale.
