Do “Weak Passports” Keep Small Territories from Winning Miss Universe?

Miss Universe has plunged into yet another wave of controversy. The organisation’s president, Raul Rocha, is under fire for claiming that Cote d’Ivoire’s Olivia Yacé holds a “weak passport”, which he says affected her chances of winning the crown.

His latest comments have sparked accusations of racism and discrimination across the pageant community.

Yacé finished as fourth runner-up to Mexico’s Fatima Bosch at the 74th Miss Universe in Thailand on November 21st. However, Yacé was given the continental title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, which she later renounced in a social media statement.

In a live video, Rocha said Yacé’s passport posed difficulties for the Miss Universe Organisation. “Cote d’Ivoire needs to go to Google, for everyone who has a cell phone, and look for how many countries need a visa to enter: 175,” he said.

Yacé has not responded to Rocha’s statements. 

Meanwhile, Miss Guadeloupe Ophely Mezino condemned the remarks and defended Yacé. She accused Rocha of creating “a racist excuse” for Miss Cote d’Ivoire’s loss and confirmed that Yacé holds an American passport.

Menzino also questioned whether Afro-Caribbean contestants ever had a fair chance if this was the “excuse” being used. “You steal the money of small territories. You steal the hope of millions of people who don’t understand why they are not in the Top 30/12/5,” Menzino said.

Other contestants have also voiced concerns. Miss Universe Portugal, Camila Vitorino, said her experience showed the organisation’s treatment was unfair to married women and mothers. She said, “I want to highlight a specific moment when I knew my journey there had come to an end. During a conversation between the organisation and the contestants, it was said that the reigning queen did not have a boyfriend because there was no time, that her commitment was to the community, and her “marriage” was to the project.”