Michael Cinco (left) and Nova Stevens/MISS UNIVERSE FACEBOOK PHOTOS
Remember the beauty queen in the middle of the drama between Michael Cinco and a Canadian team in 2021? She will join the renowned Filipino designer in the 2024 Miss Universe pageant’s selection committee.
Nova Stevens, who represented Canada in the 69th Miss Universe pageant, will return to the competition as a member of the panel that will choose the new queen, a body that also includes Cinco.
Article continues after this advertisementIn announcing the Canadian beauty queen’s inclusion in the selection committee, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) said Stevens is “[a] passionate advocate for racial justice, mental health, and resilience.”
FEATURED STORIES ENTERTAINMENT SB19’s Stell travels to Oz for Australia premiere of ‘Wicked’ ENTERTAINMENT Actress-politician Maita Sanchez, wife of ER Ejercito, dies at 55 ENTERTAINMENT Angelica Lopez is 'Pearl of the Orient Seas' in Miss International 2024MUO’s social media post continued: “Nova inspires with her story and work, showing that true beauty lies in authenticity, strength, and compassion. We’re thrilled to see how her expertise and vision will enrich our competition. [crown emoji]”
Cinco provided gowns for Stevens for the 2020 Miss Universe pageant, belatedly held in May 2021 in Florida in the United States because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mexico’s Andrea Meza won the title.
Article continues after this advertisementAfter Stevens’ failed bid for the crown, her team hurled accusations against Cinco, saying he intentionally sabotaged the Canadian queen and that his gowns were ill-fitting.
Article continues after this advertisement View this post on InstagramCinco, who had previously avoided drama on social media, refuted the Canadian team’s statements. The Filipino designer cited how he flew Stevens to his base of operations in Dubai for a photoshoot in his couture pieces to help with her publicity.
He also said the gowns arrived on time and were tailored to Stevens’ actual measurements, as seen on the beauty queens’ social media posts prior to the competition.
Article continues after this advertisementStevens, who bowed out early in the competition after missing the first cut to 21 semifinalists, received hate online as a result of the feud. “I have been getting death threats, racist trolls are hurling despicable insults at me, and people are dragging my character with lies. What amazes me is that people seem to be more outraged at my alleged ‘lack of thanks’ rather than me being asked to die and receiving racist hate. I don’t deserve that,” she said.
She and her publicist Miguel Martinez of MGMode subsequently issued a public apology to Cinco, ending the drama.
Stevens will not be the first non-placing Miss Universe candidate to sit on the pageant’s judging panel. Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela went home empty-handed in the 2015 contest won by Filipino queen Pia Wurtzbach, but was tapped to join the selection committee in 2021.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
The 73rd Miss Universe pageant will hold its coronation show at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in Manila). More than 120 delegates are competing this year.
Chelsea Manalorolls88, the first black woman to represent the Philippines, will try to become the fifth Filipino delegate to win the title.
READ NEXT Liza Soberano to be featured in Bright Vachirawit’s musi... Anthony Jennings’ GF takes swipe at ex’s workmate who ... EDITORS' PICK PNP-ACG led Manila Pogo hub raid – NCRPO MUPH rallies support for Chelsea Manalo in Miss Universe 2024 polls Gov’t aid for typhoon victims reaches P1.1 billion, says NDRRMC DOJ urged to issue lookout bulletin vs OVP officials US says Iranian-American held in Iran following Israeli attack Angelica Lopez is ‘Pearl of the Orient Seas’ in Miss International 2024 MOST READ Marcos, BARMM leaders discuss collaboration for 2025 elections LPA seen outside PAR, chance of becoming a typhoon is low Marcos declares Nov. 4 ‘Day of National Mourning’ DOJ urged to issue lookout bulletin vs OVP officials Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments