Social Media Questions Miss Universe Results

Kaci Fennell, Miss. Jamaica, poses in her evening gown after arriving at Trump National Doral Miami on Jan. 8, 2015.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr/Drew Francisco

Kaci Fennell, Miss. Jamaica, poses in her evening gown after arriving at Trump National Doral Miami on Jan. 8, 2015.

Kelly Chartrand, Online News Editor

On Jan. 25 in Miami, FL, the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant came to a close. Miss Colombia, a 22-year-old student by the name of Paulina Vega, won by a wide margin. The public, however, seemed more concerned with the lack of recognition of Miss Jamaica than Miss Colombia’s success. As the titles were announced, social media exploded- igniting questions about the legitimacy of Miss Universe as a whole.

Miss Jamaica, otherwise known as 22-year-old Kaci Fennell, was placed as the fourth runner up at the end of the competition. As she was asked to leave the top five on stage, audible booing could be heard from the angered audience. Both event attendees, as well as viewers at home, quickly took to the social media platform Twitter to express their dissatisfaction.

“As soon as I saw Miss Jamaica, I knew she was the winner. And apparently so did everyone else. #MissUniverse ROBBED,” stated one angry Twitter user.

The hashtag #MissJamaicaShouldHaveWon spread like wildfire across the website, with some users even claiming the contest was judged unfairly and falsely.

“#MissJamaicaShouldHaveWon yes kaci was robbed shame on these judges the contest is rigged,” an unhappy user tweeted.

“[Sorry] to my Colombians but that crown should have been for Jamaica! Fraud!!!!! #MissUniverseisRigged #missUniverse #MissJamaicaShouldHaveWon,” another user stated.

Fennell was surprised by the widespread reaction to the results, and told E! News that it was completely unexpected.

“I was so proud that I made the top five; [it] was such an amazing feeling,” she said while traveling back to Jamaica, according to E! Online. “I believe it went exactly how it should. I’m so happy I had this opportunity. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” 

With the hashtag still in use on Twitter, users are continuing to express their annoyance and disbelief at the competition’s results. The repercussions of this year’s Miss Universe may have an impact on next year’s pageant, the venue of which has not yet been released.

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