Miss Colombia contestant faces backlash over viral pageant video

A viral video captured during a photoshoot for the Miss Colombia pageant in Cartagena has triggered widespread social media criticism. The footage shows Juliana Navila Gomez, representing the Sucre region, appearing to physically push two other contestants—Valentina Duque, Miss Valle, and the representative from Tolima—to secure a better position in front of cameras.

The incident occurred during an official event, with the video clips showing Gomez moving Miss Valle aside, who reacts with visible surprise, before repeating the action with the representative from Tolima. The footage has led to intense online debate regarding Gomez’s conduct, with many users characterizing her actions as rude and calculated. Conversely, some commenters have defended the contestant, noting that the short duration of the video makes it difficult to determine her true intentions or the context of the situation.

In response to the public outcry, Gomez has publicly defended herself against allegations of egocentrism. She denied that her actions were malicious, asserting that there was no intent to undermine or disrespect her fellow competitors. As of now, no official disciplinary actions have been announced by the pageant organizers regarding the incident.