Simangele Legodi20 November 2024 | 13:30

Mia le Roux explains why she had to withdraw from Miss Universe pageant

The beauty queen posted a video on Instagram to thank South Africans for their support.

Mia le Roux explains why she had to withdraw from Miss Universe pageant

Reigning Miss SA, Mia le Roux explains why she had to withdraw from the Miss Universe pageant. Picture credit: Instagram @mialerouxx

JOHANNESBURG - Mia le Roux, Miss South Africa, has given an explanation for her withdrawal from the Miss Universe contest. 

On Wednesday, November 20, the beauty queen posted a video on Instagram to thank South Africans for their support.

This comes after she wasn't able to compete in this year's Miss Universe pageant, due to health concerns. 

Last week Friday, Miss South Africa issued a statement confirming the news. The Miss Universe competition was set to take place this weekend.

In her video, Le Roux said: "Hello everyone, I’m back in South Africa and wanted to reach out to you all. Thank you so much for all of your kind wishes, your support and prayers.

"I wanted to be transparent with you and share my story. A lot of you would’ve seen the video that I made about vertigo, while I was in Mexico at Miss Universe."

In her video she spoke of having vertigo, which is the sensation of spinning or motion while you are not moving at all. It can feel like you're falling or that you or the environment around you is whirling. 

She also mentioned that she had to get medical attention during the Miss Universe event before leaving on Friday, November 15.

Le Roux, the first hearing-impaired winner in the competition's 66-year history, was crowned Miss South Africa in August this year. She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was a year old and relies on a cochlear implant.