Beauty Queens, Controversy & Crown Stripping — Global Patterns

International beauty pageants — whether Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Grand or national contests — are often seen as showcases of grace, cultural pride, and dignity. Yet beneath the glitz and glamour lie strict rules governing contestants’ conduct, public statements, and behaviour. When these guidelines are perceived to be violated, controversies often erupt, leading pageant organisers to strip contestants of titles — a significant fall from public adulation.

Politics, Expression and Dethronement

One of the most debated causes of dethronement has been political expression. In 2017, Shwe Eain Si claimed that she was stripped of her Miss Grand Myanmar title allegedly because of a video she posted commenting on the Rohingya crisis. In the video, she accused militant groups and challenged media narratives. Though organisers cited “contract breach,” she maintained the decision followed her comments.

Similarly, in Turkey, Itır Esen was named Miss Turkey 2017, only to have her crown revoked within a day after an old social media post surfaced. Her tweet compared her menstrual blood with the blood of martyrs from the 2016 failed coup attempt — a comparison widely criticised as insensitive. Organisers declared the tweet “unacceptable” and pulled her title, highlighting how public sentiment and national image play crucial roles in pageantry decisions.

Cultural Norms and Social Media Backlash

The pressure on beauty queens to maintain a socially acceptable public persona has intensified with the rise of social media. In late 2025, Miss Finland, Sarah Dzafce, was stripped of her title following a controversial social media image interpreted as racially insensitive. The Miss Finland Organisation stated it had zero tolerance for discriminatory behaviour and replaced her with runner-up Tara Lehtonen.

Performance Obligations & Contract Breaches

Not all dethronements stem from political posts or social media controversy. Some arise from obligations perceived as unmet. For instance:

• Oxana Fedorova, Miss Universe 2002, was dethroned reportedly because she did not fulfil her official duties, such as attending events, instead prioritising personal commitments.

• Rachel Gupta, India’s first Miss Grand International (2024), was said to have been stripped of her title by the MGI organisation after allegations that she failed to fulfil certain duties, though the story included competing narratives about mistreatment and toxic environments.

Image, Conduct, and Organisational Standards

Beauty pageants often set ethical and behavioural standards that titleholders are expected to uphold throughout their reign. When a titleholder is deemed to have violated these standards, organisations have historically taken swift action. For example:

• Roshanara Ebrahim lost her Miss World Kenya title amid lawsuit and controversy.

• Pushpika De Silva faced chaotic scenes during the Mrs. Sri Lanka 2021 pageant and a subsequent dethronement.

• Leona Gage lost her Miss USA crown within 24 hours in 1957 due to scandalous revelations — an early example of how reputational considerations influenced pageants.

Controversies Beyond Titles

Beyond dethronements, pageants have also faced severe controversies affecting entire events. The 2002 Miss World pageant scheduled in Nigeria saw massive upheaval — including violence sparked by cultural insensitivity, ultimately forcing relocation of the event.

Cultural Values & Public Expectations

While the specific triggers differ — political statements, cultural insensitivity, violation of duties — a common thread runs through these controversies:

1. Public Roles: Pageant winners are not just symbols of beauty; they are ambassadors of culture, values, and national pride.

2. Representational Risk: Organisers guard this representational role vigorously, reacting strongly to signals they believe damage national or organisational image.

3. Social Media Amplification: Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram rapidly broadcast statements and images, often forcing pageants to respond quickly to public sentiment and backlash.

Beauty pageants may be celebrations of glamour, but controversies surrounding dethroned queens reveal the entrenched expectations placed on titleholders. Whether driven by political speech, insensitive gestures, or alleged failure to fulfil contractual obligations, dethronements reflect broader social, cultural, and political dynamics — showing that in today’s media age, a crown can shine bright but can be lost in an instant.