Miss South Africa organisation reacts to Zozi Tunzi’s reports of not attending the pageant show.
The former Miss Universe 2019 was invited to the Miss SA 2023 grand finale on Sunday, August 13, but declined, according to Zimoja reports.
The model went as far as to unfollow Miss SA on Instagram and removed Miss South Africa 2019 from her Instagram bio.
According to a person who spoke to the publication, Zozi believed she would be appointed a judge, but when she learned she wasn’t, she reportedly lost interest and skipped the event.
Zozi was not intended to be a judge but was instead invited as a VIP guest, Miss SA owner and organiser Steph Weil informed the publication.
“I don’t know what happened to her. Maybe she confirmed other important things, but she was definitely invited and never showed up.”
Sources have alleged that the former beauty queen didn’t attend the event due to the drama that unfolded behind the scenes of the reality show, Crown Chasers, which she hosted.
A source from the show told the publication that a well-known fashion stylist who had been hired by the show to style Zozi had been instructed to charge Zozi directly after being informed at the last minute that Miss SA wouldn’t be paying him.
According to The South African here is what Steph said regarding the Crown Chasers rumours: “I respect Zozi as a woman and brand and obviously there will be glitches and mistakes because it was our first season.”
Also see: Why wasn’t Zozi Tunzi at Miss SA?