Prominent Miss South Africa top 12 finalist, Levern ‘Donatella’ José, has decided to withdraw from this year’s highly anticipated pageant.
Levern José drops out of 2023 Miss South Africa Top 12 – Here’s why
The unexpected turn of events comes in the wake of bullying allegations made against José by her schoolmates on social media.
The Miss South Africa organisation released a press statement addressing the situation, expressing their firm stance against all forms of bullying.
They acknowledged José’s choice to step back from the competition, commending her for embracing her truth and prioritising her personal healing.
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“The Miss South Africa organisation does not condone bullying of any kind. We accept Levern’s decision to pull out of the competition and respect her for owning her truth and taking this time to focus on her own healing,” the pageant authority noted.
Last week, when the bullying accusations emerged, the organisation and CEO Stephanie Weil initially declined to comment on the matter.
However, José, recognising the gravity of the situation, expressed her regret if her actions in self-defence inadvertently caused harm to others.
In her statement, she extended her sincere apologies, emphasising her commitment to kindness, respect, and empathy as guiding principles throughout her life.
José revealed her distress at the serious accusations levelled against her, asserting her accountability while championing fairness and justice.
Undoubtedly affected by the immense pressure surrounding the pageant, she firmly condemned all forms of abuse and bullying, emphasizing their incompatibility with a just society.
In light of the circumstances, José affirmed her dedication to combating bullying and raising broader awareness about this pressing issue. She implored unity in the pursuit of fairness and compassion in all interactions with others. Recognising her own vulnerability as a human being, José acknowledged the toll the intense pressure had taken on her.
“Please know that I am determined to work against bullying to bring about wider awareness about this issue. I am unwavering in my stance to upholding what is right and just. I am human; the pressure has been immense and has taken its toll on me. Together, let’s strive for fairness and compassion in all our interactions with others,” she wrote in a statement.
José’s withdrawal from the Miss South Africa competition echoes a similar situation that transpired in 2020 when another contestant, Bianca Schoombee, withdrew her entry following the resurfacing of racist and offensive tweets from her past.
Here are some of the reactions that ultimately forced José to withdraw from the 2023 Miss SA Top 12.
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