Imagine the day when your lifelong dream finally comes true. All the hard work, all the dedication finally paid off. You made it.
And then just a few days later having it all taken away from you.
That’s what happened to Genesis Davila. She was “DREAMING on a cloud,” after winning Miss Florida USA 2017 but that didn’t last long.
On July 16, 2016, she was handed the crown and title only to have them stripped away six days later for violating the rules. Along with her crown, title, and banner, she lost out on a three week trip to Miss USA 2017, and an endorsement and appearances package worth about $100,000.
The pageant’s Executive Director Grant Gravitt said that she broke the rules by using a professional hair and makeup artist during the contest.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy on rules,” Gravitt told ABC Local 10. “Whether it’s something major or minor, it’s all about keeping an equal and level playing field. Unfortunately, our title holder sought an unfair competitive advantage and that’s just not acceptable in our system.”
Gravitt said that there were 30 to 40 complaints from other contestants and that there were eyewitnesses who confirmed their stories.
He also said there were two Instagram photos on Davila’s account that indicated that she had help with her makeup. Davila’s lawyers, however, said the photos were from a week before the contest.
“She made a poor life choice,” said Gravitt. “We finally had substantial proof to link her and her vendors to her room on an evening which they were not allowed.”
Linette De Los Santos, Miss Sunny Isles Beach USA, would assume the crown by default. Davila said she learned that she had been stripped of her crown when she saw a Facebook post of the runner-up accepting the title.
According to the Miami Herald, Davila ended up filing a $15 million lawsuit against the owners of the Miss Florida USA pageant to seek damages for defamation.
“I am innocent,” Davila said tearfully. “All these false allegations have taken me completely by surprise. I am honest and hard-working.”
The lawsuit also alleged that the pageant directors accused Davila, who was Miss World Puerto Rico in 2014, of not being an American citizen.
Gravitt fired back saying that Davila was also seen in the hotel lobby the night before the show which is also a rule violation and that she also had her nails done professionally.
Despite the lawsuit, the pageant’s decision stood and the lawsuit was dismissed in October under terms that are confidential, the Miami Herald reports.
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