4 Miss Universe national winners stripped of titles

Xinying Zhu, originally crowned Miss Universe China 2024. Photo from Instagram/worldbeauties_org

The most recent case involves Miss Universe China 2024, Xinying Zhu, who was removed from her title on April 10. The Miss Universe China organization announced that Zhu’s title and the right to represent the country at Miss Universe 2025 would be transferred to the original first runner-up Zhao Na.

"Due to age restrictions, our original winner Xinying Zhu who was crowned last December could not fulfill her duties as our Chinese queen (due being underage)," the organization stated on Instagram.

At the time of her win in Dec. 2024, Zhu was 18 years old and a student majoring in flight attendant training at Suzhou Aviation College.

Before Zhu, three other national titleholders from the 2024 Miss Universe pageants had their titles revoked.

Miss Universe Fiji 2024 Manshika Prasad

Manshika Prasad, originally crowned Miss Universe Fiji 2024. Photo from Prasad's Instagram

According to the New York Post, Prasad, 24, was crowned Miss Universe Fiji during the pageant finale on Aug. 30, 2024, after securing four votes from the contest’s seven judges.

However, just two days later, runner-up Nadine Roberts, 30, was declared the official winner in an official statement from Miss Universe Fiji.

The press release stated that the "correct procedures" had not been followed by organizer Grant Dwyer, who "failed to count" an eighth vote from the pageant’s licensee Lux Projects, a property development company that purchased the rights to host Miss Universe Fiji.

Lux Projects was supposed to cast a vote for runner-up Roberts, the release clarified. This would have resulted in four votes for Roberts and four for Prasad.

"The licensee holder must then decide on the winner," the statement said, adding that Roberts was therefore the rightful titleholder.

The announcement sparked allegations of corruption, as reports subsequently surfaced suggesting that Lux Projects had close ties to Australian businessman Jamie McIntyre, who is married to Roberts.

However, the Miss Universe Organization announced in October of last year that it determined that the rightful winner of Miss Universe Fiji 2024 is Prasad, after consulting with the involved parties.

Miss Universe Panama 2024 Italy Mora

Italy Mora, orriginally crowned Miss Universe Panama 2024. Photo from Mora's Instagram

The Daily Mail reported that the Miss Panama Organization stripped 21-year-old Mora of her crown in November last year while she was in Mexico for the 2024 Miss Universe competition. According to local media, Mora violated the security guidelines set by the Miss Universe Organization by staying in her hotel room with her boyfriend.

However, Mora clarified in an Instagram post that she had left her hotel room in Mexico City without permission to get her makeup done for a gala she was attending on Nov. 1, 2024, just one day before her disqualification.

"I was told that this measure was taken due to non-compliance with leaving the room, which I admit occurred to put on makeup and collect personal items," Mora shared.

She also revealed to local entertainment outlet La Mordida that she had an argument with Miss Panama Director Cesar Rodríguez in his hotel room over her makeup.

Panama did not send a replacement to the competition.

Miss Universe Argentina 2024 Magalí Benejam

Magalí Benejam, orriginally crowned Miss Universe Argentina 2024. Photo from Benejam's Instagram

On Jan. 2, the Miss Universe Organization announced it had stripped Magalí Benejam, 30, of her title due to controversial comments made during an interview, according to Hola!

"After a thorough review of Miss Magalí Benejam’s public statements, and in line with our core principles, we have decided to immediately withdraw the title of Miss Universe Argentina from her," the organization said in a press release.

On Dec. 19, 2024, , Benejam appeared on a live YouTube broadcast with content creator King Lucho, where she openly discussed her experiences in the 2024 Miss Universe pageant. Her comments, which included criticism of fellow contestants and the organization, quickly sparked controversy.

Among her remarks was a comment about her relationship with Puerto Rico’s representative, Jennifer Colón. Benejam described their interactions as distant, saying: "I suppose she was very nervous and focused on herself."

"On the last two days, I said to her, ‘Hello, Jenny, how are you?’ and she just looked at me and didn’t respond," Benejam recounted.

She also criticized Colón’s choice of outfit during the final gala.

"For me, Puerto Rico’s gown was the worst of the night," she said. "I think it was a decision made entirely by her organization. Her style throughout the competition had been beautiful, so I doubt she had much say in this choice."

Founded in 1952, Miss Universe is an annual international beauty pageant organized by the Miss Universe Organization, which is based in Thailand and Mexico. Along with Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth, it is considered one of the Big Four beauty pageants.