Genesis Davila, 24, won the the Miss Florida USA 2017 competition on
July 16, but was stripped of her title just days later for violating the
competition rules. According to Grant Gravitt, the pageant’s executive
director, Davila, defied policy by using professional hair and makeup
artists for the competition. Gravitt told Miami’s ABC 10:
“We have a zero-tolerance policy on rules,” “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 says he received multiple complaints from the other contestants
that Davila had violated the rules, and found eyewitnesses that
corroborate their stories.
“We finally had substantial proof to link her and her vendors to her room on an evening which they were not allowed,” he says.
He also said Davila posted photos of her makeup artist and hairdresser on social media, one of which is still up on Instagram.
Davila denied his claims on Monday, insisting that she was just visiting
a family friend in her mother’s hotel room, not a makeup artist.
“I still feel like I’m Miss Florida USA because I was crowned Miss
Florida USA that night,” Davila says. “Even though all these false
accusations and allegations and rumors have been wandering all over
social media, I know that I have proof to show the world that none of
this is true.”
Davila has hired lawyers to fight the decision, but Gravitt and Miss
Florida USA have since awarded the crown to the runner-up, Linette De
Los Santos.