A clip of Mia Le Roux preparing to show off her Miss Universe national costume just moments before she was expected to walk the runway at the preliminary show – which she failed to do – has fuelled suspicion.
The Miss SA queen withdrew from the pageant just one day before the finale over the weekend, citing “health concerns.”
But what exactly happened?
Meanwhile, Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, took home the crown on Saturday, 16 November. Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina was named her runner-up.
MIA LE ROUX CLIP FUELS SUSPICIONS
A clip of Mia Le Roux prepping for the Miss Universe national costume competition last Thursday has gone viral on social media.
In it, a make-up artist was seen putting the final touches on Mia’s face. Mia, beaming with excitement, appeared ready to show off her gown.
The national costume—which had never previously been revealed to the public—featured a gold headdress and an elaborate, feathered, and sequined gown in the colours of the South African flag.
@zeeconzi ♬ original sound – Zinhle Khonzy
Moments later, South Africa was skipped in the national costume show, and Mia Le Roux literally went MIA.
In a clip, the national costume parade skipped from Somalia to Spain, leaving South Africa out.
@trulovenoluthando Speedy recovery to our beautiful and strong Mia le Roux 🥺Nothing hurts more then when they called South Africa. She was supposed to come after Somalia #missuniverse #mialeroux #mexico #pageant # #trulovenoluthando #missuniverse2024 #missuniversesouthafrica #misssouthafrica ♬ original sound – trulovenoluthando
On social media, pageant fans are concerned about what transpired in the moments following the concerning clips.
Addressing Miss SA organisers, here is what a few pageant fans posted…
@courtwilmot: “Now that the pageant is over, are you going to be honest about what really happened? Was Mia Le Roux asked to leave? Why is there a clip of her all dressed for the prelims? It’s unlike Mia’s character to step away from everything she worked towards. Miss Universe did not even have an interpreter for the pageant – an accommodation that she fought so hard for. Please don’t try to hide behind all the money you’ve earned from this stunt.”
@PAMMY_PIE: “They owe us an explanation because our Mia looks happy and strong.”
@behlina_lee: “There is more to this story. Something has happened“.
‘SHE HAD TO GET SOME INJECTIONS’
In an Instagram Live last week, Miss SA creative director Werner Wessels shed some light on what was happening behind the scenes in the run-up to the pageant.
Werner – who helped Zozi Tunzi and Demi-Leigh Tebow (nee Nel-Peters) win the Miss Universe titles in 2017 and 2019, respectively – claimed that Mia Le Roux was gearing up for her prelim interview.
However, the 27-year-old did not have a sign language interpreter.
He added that Mia’s family, her support structure, was unfortunately not able to travel to Mexico to watch her perform at the pageant.
Werner then confirmed that Mia had been suffering from severe vertigo.
He said: “She had to go get some injections. There were spasms that were formed in her ear, and that’s what made it worse, but she is better”.
Images via Facebook:
Mia Le Roux
Werner also hinted that Mia had possibly felt overwhelmed by pressure to post more on social media and keep up with public expectations. He said, “Her main priority is to impress the people on the ground, the people who make the decisions. If she’s on the phone all the time, she may miss her opportunity.”
Werner also hinted that Mia Le Roux’s national costume dress was “beautiful,” and he was excited for South Africans to see it.
With Mia being the first profoundly deaf participant in the Miss Universe pageant’s history, Werner claimed that he was at “peace about what will happen, whether it’s in our favour or not.”
He added: “We’ve had the best and worst of times, and we’ve survived and thrived through all of them.”
Shortly after, South Africans received the news that Mia Le Roux had withdrawn from the Miss Universe pageant.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED TO MIA LE ROUX AT MISS UNIVERSE?
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