Zuleyka Rivera storms out of ‘Miss Universe Latina’ reality show
Zuleyka Rivera. Image: Instagram/@zuleykarivera
Barely two weeks since its pilot episode, the “Miss Universe Latina: El Reality” already had an explosive drama. But it was not initiated by any of the participating pageant aspirants. Rather, it is from Zuleyka Rivera, a team captain.
The 2006 Miss Universe winner and mentor of Team Rubi unceremoniously left her team, and the show, after a heated argument with one of the judges during the immunity gala episode that came out on July 17.
Rivera left the studio after her spat with David Salomon, who cautioned the participants about whose advice they heed, pertaining to her and the other mentor Alicia Machado, 1996 Miss Universe winner from Venezuela.
In their heated exchange, spoken in Spanish, Rivera asked Salomon if he had ever competed in Miss Universe. She was the fifth and last Miss Universe that Puerto Rico had produced.
Another judge sided with Salomon, which prompted Rivera to stand and say “There is no work for me here anymore. Thank you, good night” in Spanish. Then she blew kisses to the audience and walked out of the studio.
The competition gathered Latin women living in the United States, and adopts the reality TV format to determine the winner, who will compete in the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand in November and be the first to carry the “US Latina” sash.
Launched earlier this year, “Miss Universe: El Rality” premiered on June 3 (4 in Manila) on the Telemundo channel in the United States and in Latin American countries. It may also be accessed on the channel’s digital platform.
Thirty Latin women from across the US were introduced as participants, from whom Rivera and Machado chose their team members who later moved to the Miss Universe Latina Mansion where the reality show is filmed.
Among the aspirants is Puerto Rican Genesis Davila from Florida, first runner-up in the 2012 Miss Intercontinental pageant, Miss World Puerto Rico winner, Miss Universe Puerto Rico runner-up, Miss Florida USA, and a Top 5 finalist of the Miss USA pageant.
Also in the show are 2012 Miss Earth-Water Osmariel Villalobo from Venezuela, living in Florida, and 2021 Reina Hispanoamericana Andrea Bazarte from Mexico, living in Texas.
They are joined by 2023 Miss Grand International pageant alumnae, fifth runner-up Skarxi Marte from the Dominican Republic and living in New York, and semifinalist Brithanny Marroquin from Honduras and living in South Carolina.
From the Miss International pageant, there are 2023 semifinalist Yamilex Hernandez from the Dominican Republic and living in New Jersey, and 2022 Venezuelan delegate Isbel Para who is now based in California.
Also among the roster of participants is 2025 Miss Global second runner-up Edris Joan from Puerto Rico, who is also living in Iowa. /edv
