Puerto Rican model Génesis Dávila could only enjoy the Miss Florida USA crown for one week. It was all over for her on Friday, when she was stripped of the crown after the pageant’s organizers discovered Dávila had violated one of the rules of the competition. So what did she do? Grant Gravitt, executive producer of the show told Local 10 Newsthat Dávila used professional stylists to help with her hair and makeup in her private room, which is a violation of pageant rules.
On the day of the pageant, Dávila enlisted the help a professional make-up artist, who assisted her in the process of getting ready for the show. This goes against the principle of equality for all the contestants, which this year were 65, including Dávila. "We have a zero-tolerance policy on rules," Gravitt said. "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." He also added that the pageant organizers received multiple complaints from contestants and that there were eyewitnesses that helped gather enough evidence to link her the “glam squad” to her room on an evening that they were not allowed to be there.
"When one steps out of line, it's not fair to the other 64, and I couldn't look at the other 64 in the eye knowing that I had substantial proof to say, unfortunately, she sought an unfair advantage," Gravitt said. Meanwhile, Dávila’s lawyers are analyzing the situationto find the best way to act. "She's still a queen," attorney Mayra Joll said. "She's still Miss Florida. She's still Miss Florida USA. Justice is going to be served."
Dávila represented Miami Beach for the title of Miss Florida. She was born in Arroyo, Puerto Rico and is 23 years old. She was Miss Puerto Rico during Miss World 2014 and had she won Miss USA, she would’ve had a chance to compete for the Miss Universe 2017 crown. The new Miss Florida USA is first runner-up Linette de los Santos, born in the Dominican Republic, who was representing Sunny Islands.