The host assured that her role, like that of her partner José Andrés Padrón, was strictly limited to following the script established by the production of the show.
The controversy surrounding the recent edition of Miss Venezuela continues to generate public reactions. After Stephany Abasali, Miss Venezuela 2024 and second runner-up of Miss Universe, reported irregularities during her farewell ceremony, presenter Maite Delgado spoke out to clarify her position and defend her performance as host of the pageant.
Through a message spread on his social networks, Delgado expressed empathy for the experience lived by Abasali. Although he made it clear that the decisions that marked the development of the event were not under his control.
The host assured that her role, like that of her partner José Andrés Padrón, was strictly limited to following the script established by the production of the show.
“I deeply regret that you did not have the beautiful night you dreamed of. But that in no way depended on me, nor on my partner,” wrote Maite Delgado on her Instagram.
Delgado explained that in a large-format televised event, like Miss Venezuela, the animators do not have the power to modify times. Nor about giving up the microphone or altering the previously established dynamics.
In that sense, he rejected suggestions about a possible deliberate refusal to allow Abasali’s participation on the scene. And he described these versions as alien to the reality of professional work on television.
“…[No] Informalities happen such as ‘ask them for the microphone and they will surely give it to you’, as apparently someone told him. “Any responsible and professional person knows that this does not happen,” he added.
He stated that he receives criticism with respect, but stressed that he would never act intentionally to harm a participant. “Those who know me know that I would never lend myself to doing ‘evil’, whatever that means,” he said.
Stephany Abasali told what she experienced during Miss Venezuela
Delgado’s statements arose after an interview offered by Abasali to presenter Rodner Figueroa, in which the beauty queen recounted her frustration at not being able to address the public during the crown ceremony.
According to his testimony, he was initially told that he would have a space to speak, but at the time of the event he discovered that it was not in the official script.
Abasali assured that this situation generated a deep emotional impact on him, considering that he was denied a symbolic moment to say goodbye to his reign. He also stated that he did not receive clear guidance on the logistics of the final act or on the delivery of the crown.
“From then on, I had to act on everything because I couldn’t prove that I was broken,” she declared.
