Argentina beauty pageant winner stripped of title after claiming Miss Universe result was rigged

Published Jan 09, 2025  •  2 minute read

Miss Universe stripped Magali Benejam of her title as Miss Universe Argentina following comments critical of the 2024 pageant. Photo by Miss Universe /Instagram

A beauty pageant winner from Argentina appears to be a sore loser.

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Magali Benejam, the country’s representative at the 2024 Miss Universe competition in November, was stripped of her title last week after she criticized some contestants and suggested the results were rigged.

The 30-year-old beauty from Cordoba made the controversial comments on a YouTube broadcast with content creator King Lucho last month.

She claimed that the judges appeared visibly surprised as the final five contestants were named.

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“The judges started looking at each other as if to say, ‘This isn’t what we chose,'” she said, according to a translation by The Latin Times.

Benejam, who made the final 12 at the pageant held in Mexico, also alleged that others told her the outcome had been decided more than a week in advance.

In addition, she suspected that eventual winner Victoria Theilvig, Denmark’s representative, knew she was going to be crowned Miss Universe and hired at least three security guards as the competition neared its end.

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Following those comments, Miss Universe stripped Benejam’s title of Miss Universe Argentina.

“After a thorough review of recent public comments made by Miss Magali Benejam, and based on our core principles, we have decided to withdraw immediately the title of Miss Universe Argentina from Miss Benejam,” pageant bosses said in a statement posted to its website Jan. 3.

Miss Universe said the words and actions of its representatives must reflect the organization’s values that celebrate diversity, promote inclusion and respect all individuals.

“The decision comes after careful consideration and aligns with our commitment to uphold the highest standards of personal and professional conduct,” the statement continued. “We want to emphasize that this action is taken to protect the integrity of the organization and the opportunities it provides to women around the world.”

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Benejam railed against other competitors including Celinee Santos, Miss Dominican Republic, who she claimed was being difficult during the competition by interrupting her in group videos and, in one event, cutting in line.

And, according to a translation by Britain’s Daily Mail, she slammed Miss Puerto Rico Jennifer Colon, who also finished in the top 12.

“I spoke to her a couple of times, but the last few days she decided to stop talking to me, I don’t know why,” Benejam said.

The New York Post reports that, despite her loss at the Miss Universe pageant, Benejam still shared a reel on her Instagram account that translated to, “The best body of this Miss Universe.”

Benejam, who still has Miss Universe Argentina 2024 written in her Instagram bio, has not publicly commented about the organization’s decision to remove her title.

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