A Italian-Brazilian Glelany Cavalcante was elected Miss Universe Italy 2024, but became the target of xenophobia on social media for not being born in the European country.
The announcement took place last Wednesday (18) in San Ferdinando di Puglia, in the south of the peninsula, after a final with 21 beauty queens from all over Italy.
Glelany, 33, was born in Feira de Santana, Bahia, but lives in Civitanova, in the Marche region. The model is studying advertising at the University of Perugia and is expected to graduate soon.
“I have always dreamed of this moment. I am convinced that I can represent Italy in the best way possible, a country that I love and that has always been my home,” said the winner, who will represent Italian beauty at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City on November 18.
“In the Miss Universe final, I will take three key concepts that have become the basis of my life journey: multiculturalism, inclusion and beauty in all its forms: physical, social and mental,” declared Glelany.
However, since the announcement of her victory, the Italian-Brazilian has suffered xenophobic attacks on social media. On his Instagram page, among the comments published by Italian users, are: “I don’t understand: someone who doesn’t even speak Italian [becomes] Miss Universe Italy? It’s a joke!”, an opinion that was responded to by another profile: “I totally agree. Besides [not] speaking [Italian], what Italian has that color?”.
Another person wrote on the photo that illustrates Glelany as the winner of the contest: “Miss Italy and a Brazilian wins. What were you thinking? With so many ORIGINAL ITALIAN beauties [author's emphasis] that we have in Italy, who did we let win? A Brazilian!” (Handle)
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