Reigning Miss South Africa 2024, Mia le Roux, has broken her silence about her unexpected withdrawal from the Miss Universe competition, which took place just before the finals. Speaking candidly in a heartfelt video shared on social media, Le Roux revealed the health challenges that led to her difficult decision.
“Physically, my body was taking strain,” she admitted, explaining how a severe episode of vertigo affected her ability to perform.
In the video, Le Roux greeted her followers warmly, saying: “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.” She went on to detail her struggles while in Mexico, where the Miss Universe pageant was held.
“A lot of you would’ve seen the video that I made about vertigo while I was in Mexico at Miss Universe,” she said. “Vertigo is a condition where it feels like you are dizzy and there’s a sense of the world spinning around you. It’s very intense and can cause major issues with your imbalance.”
Le Roux revealed that despite being mentally prepared for the competition, her physical health deteriorated. “I had to even seek medical help in Mexico City. And even after the medical help, my condition still wasn’t improving.”
The reigning Miss South Africa shared that during the preliminary rounds, her vertigo worsened. While waiting backstage, she fell repeatedly and could not stand without assistance. “It became unmanageable, and I wasn’t in a position to safely walk on stage,” she said, adding, “It was not easy. I was not doing it just for myself but for all of you in South Africa.”
Despite the setback, Le Roux remains committed to her role as Miss South Africa. “I will continue to serve as your Miss South Africa, to support and uplift those who come after me. With my unbreakable spirit and an exciting year ahead, I will keep fighting for myself and for everyone with dreams and passions,” she assured her supporters.
In closing, she expressed her gratitude and pride: “I am so proud to still be your Miss South Africa.”
