"She's a young woman who made a mistake." Miss Universe organizers disqualify contestant from Panama

Miss Universe contestant from Panama, 19-year-old model Itali Mora, has been disqualified from participation. This was reported by the organization's press service. The reasons for the disqualification are not specified, but it is reported that "the young woman made a mistake."

"The Miss Universe Organization wishes to emphasize the importance of maintaining confidentiality and respect throughout this process. Over the years, our pageant has been a beacon of diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment for women around the world. As such, maintaining strict ethical principles such as confidentiality and respect is essential to maintaining the integrity of our organization and the well-being of our contestants," the organization said in a statement.

"Confidentiality is a fundamental principle of any disciplinary process. By protecting confidential and personal information, we not only ensure the fairness and impartiality of our decisions, but also the dignity of all involved. As we move forward, we reaffirm our commitment to these principles. We kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of our Panamanian participant at this time and to avoid unnecessary speculation that could negatively impact all parties involved."

Panama has responded to the contestant's removal. Señorita Panamá Oficial President César Anel Rodríguez held a live broadcast on the matter, but no further details were released. "We have no disagreements or conflicts with the organization. We have been working together all day to prepare a statement to inform you that, unfortunately, our country will not be represented at the next Miss Universe pageant. I know everyone has many questions, but I ask for the discretion and respect that we all need. Unfortunately, as a young woman, she made a mistake that the organization cannot allow. And Miss Universe has decided to remove her from the pageant," he said. Rodríguez added that he regrets that Italie Mora had to go through this and hopes that she will not face harassment because of it.

The model herself commented on the incident and called the organization's decision a "harsh measure." She noted that the situation could have been resolved through dialogue. "On November 1, 2024, I was informed of my disqualification from the Miss Universe contest. However, I want to express that I consider this a harsh measure, and that instead everything could have been resolved through dialogue or a warning."

This year's competition will be held in Mexico City on November 16.