Genesis Davila cries while giving a statement about the ugly Miss Florida pageant. Photo courtesy of TMZ.
Summary: Miss Florida was allegedly stripped of her crown because of racism, and she is now suing for $15 million.
It’s a weird, ugly time for beauty queens. A Miss USA contestant was asked her political affiliation on air, the just-crowned Miss Teen USA was found to use the N-word a lot on Twitter, and now a dethroned Miss Florida is suing the contest for $15 million.
The Wrap reported that Genesis Davila won the Miss Florida 2017 crown in July but was stripped of her title just six days later. She claims that the contest’s executive director Grant Gravitt Jr. said she lied about her eligibility to compete since she is from Puerto Rico but has lived in Miami for more than 18 months. However, she said a lawyer had already disputed Gravitt’s claim and gave her the okay. She added that once that issue was put to rest, he called her a liar and cheat again, this time alleging she used an unauthorized vendor to help her with her hair and makeup.
Stripping a crown that was publicly awarded for hair and makeup seems extremely petty, and Davila alleged that she was denied the title because of Gravitt’s prejudice towards Puerto Ricans, who have been citizens of the United States since 1917.
TMZ also said that Davila alleged that Gravitt wanted to give the title to another girl in order to direct her to his business client, Pageant Ready.
The suit was filed on Monday, and Davila is suing IMG Universe (pageant owner), Tel-Air Interests (pageant producer), and Gravitt. She said that the contest engaged in a public smear campaign against her which caused “humiliation and embarrassment.”
Davila is seeking damages for breach of contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Do you think Davila should have been stripped of her crown? Will she win the lawsuit? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: The Wrap
Photo courtesy of TMZ