Post by : Saif Rahman

The prestigious Miss Universe pageant is once again enveloped in controversy, this time revolving around Helena Hafþórsdóttir O’Connor, who holds the title of Miss Universe Iceland 2025. She has formally declared the termination of her association with the Miss Iceland organization.

On December 16, the 20-year-old model took to social media to describe her predicament during the Miss Universe event that took place in Thailand. She alleged that she was disqualified without her consent following a serious illness, with subsequent pressure to pay a fee in order to retain her title.

Helena secured the Miss Iceland crown on April 3, 2025, with the opportunity to represent Iceland at the Miss Universe competition on November 21 in Thailand. She mentioned having invested considerable effort to prepare for this international platform and fulfilled all responsibilities expected of her as a titleholder.

Her journey took a downturn when she suffered from severe food poisoning at the event, which left her in a weakened state. Nevertheless, she intended to recover and continue competing. Helena asserts that the Miss Iceland organization acted unilaterally by withdrawing her from the competition without her consent, denying her a chance at recovery and re-entry.

Additionally, she claims that following her withdrawal, she was informed about a penalty fee required to either maintain her title or formally relinquish it. Helena felt this condition was an unexpected breach of her contract and unfairly penalizing. She believes her opportunity, earned through diligent effort, was unjustly denied.

Furthermore, Helena disclosed that she felt discouraged from discussing her illness and recovery. An official statement implied her voluntary withdrawal from the competition, a claim she vehemently refutes as misleading and damaging to her public image.

Apart from her removal, she has raised grave concerns regarding safety and conditions at the competition venue, citing inadequate security, insufficient access to necessary amenities, and unsanitary food provisions, which she feels contributed to her illness. She also noted that the Miss Iceland position did not provide financial compensation, creating additional stress for her.

Feeling disenchanted and betrayed, Helena stated that she can no longer support an organization that she once believed embodied female empowerment. She expressed reluctance to encourage future participants to endure similar situations. Her attorney has formally notified the Miss Iceland organization of her decision to terminate her contract due to several alleged violations.

Yet, amidst these challenges, Helena concluded her message with optimism, expressing gratitude towards her family, friends, and supporters during this trying period. She looks forward to exploring new ventures.

The Miss Iceland organization has yet to issue a public response to her allegations. As discussions regarding transparency and contestant treatment in beauty pageants intensify, Helena's narrative amplifies growing concerns about backstage conditions.

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