Catalina Vallejos is facing a legal complaint for misappropriation of luxury items following her departure from the Miss Universe La Reina franchise. The lawsuit, filed in Santiago, alleges the influencer withheld assets valued at over $7 million, including a crown worth approximately $3 million, prompting her to label the accusations as calumnies.
The legal dispute involving Catalina Vallejos has moved from the pageant stage to the Santiago court system. A formal complaint for misappropriation has been filed against the influencer at the 4° Juzgado de Garantía de Santiago, marking a significant escalation in the tensions between Vallejos and the Miss Universe La Reina organization.
Allegations of Misappropriated Luxury Assets
The legal action was initiated by Eric Garrido, the communal director of Miss Universe La Reina. According to the filing, Garrido alleges that Vallejos has illegally retained a collection of high-value items following her dismissal from the La Reina franchise. The specific items listed in the complaint include gala dresses, high-end hair extensions, and the official franchise sash.
The most significant item in the dispute is a crown valued at approximately $3 million. When combining the crown with the other luxury goods, the total market value of the contested items is reported to exceed $7 million. The legal filing expresses concern regarding the eventual risk of loss or deterioration
of these belongings, which have not yet been returned to the organization.
The complaint follows multiple formal requests for the return of the items, which the plaintiff claims yielded no positive results. While the legal process is ongoing, Vallejos has responded to the allegations by characterizing the claims as calumnies
.
Controversy Surrounding the Miss Universe Chile Competition
The lawsuit arrives during a volatile period for the Miss Universe Chile 2026 competition. Vallejos, an influencer with a significant social media presence, has maintained a high profile throughout the pageant cycle, but her path to the competition has been marked by administrative friction. Weeks ago, the Miss Universe organization announced the expulsion of Vallejos as a representative of La Reina, a move that triggered substantial criticism across social media platforms.
Despite her expulsion from the La Reina franchise, Vallejos remained in the running for the national title through a process known as a repechage. This wildcard mechanism allowed her to re-enter the competition representing the region of Pucón. This decision sparked controversy among followers of the pageant, with many critics suggesting the repechage was a tailor-made
maneuver designed to keep prominent media figures in the competition under different regional banners.
The intersection of celebrity influence and pageant governance has placed the Miss Universe Chile organization under intense scrutiny. The ability of high-profile contestants to navigate disciplinary actions and remain in contention has raised questions regarding the consistency of the competition’s rules and the influence of social media reach on pageant politics.
Legal and Institutional Implications
The proceedings at the 4° Juzgado de Garantía de Santiago will determine whether the retention of these items constitutes criminal misappropriation. For the Miss Universe La Reina franchise, the case is a matter of protecting organizational assets and maintaining the integrity of the brand. For Vallejos, the legal battle represents a direct challenge to her professional reputation at a time when she is actively competing for a national title.
The outcome of this litigation could have broader implications for how pageant franchises manage high-value assets and celebrity contestants. As the court reviews the evidence regarding the $7 million in goods, the Miss Universe Chile competition must manage the fallout of a scandal that has shifted the focus from beauty and poise to legal liability and property disputes.
