The incident came to mind last weekend when a photo on Instagram of the current Miss Israel and Miss Lebanon together stirred controversy online anew, Miss Universe Organization President Paula M. Shugart said.
In 2006, the organization was able to remove the photo before anyone noticed, Shugart said. Now, thanks to social media, we’re in a “whole new ballgame.”
Everything is political when it comes to your country's sovereignty and borders."
Former Miss Lebanon Christina Sawaya
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In an email to CNN on Friday through her publicist, Sawaya said she “felt bad” about missing the 2002 competition. But, as a representative of her country, she understood and respected the official decision.
“I think that beauty queens have a message of culture and peace to deliver and this is where real beauty is,” she said. “But, unfortunately, we live in a world full of atrocities, wars, injustice, and occupation and seen under that perspective, a beauty queen has to understand and respect her country’s laws and political positions.”
Sawaya represented her country in other pageants. They were different settings, but the expectations were the same: treat your competitors with respect, but always be on guard against situations “that might put you in a difficult position.”
“While it is easy to say forget politics, it is just beauty, it is just a pageant; unfortunately we who live here know that everything is political when it comes to your country’s sovereignty and borders.”
