Sthefany Gutierrez, the Venezuelan beauty queen and Miss Universe 2018 third runner-up, has announced her withdrawal from the MGI All-Stars competition. She made this decision public through an Instagram post.
Initially viewed as a frontrunner for the title, Gutierrez's participation was eagerly anticipated following her confirmation on April 13. However, personal and family responsibilities prompted her to step back.
In her statement, Gutierrez expressed that her decision was not easy, emphasizing her love for representing Venezuela. She highlighted the need for her full commitment to the competition.
This has been a deeply considered decision, based on my personal and family responsibilities, which at this moment require my full attention and dedication.
Sthefany Gutierrez
Gutierrez also mentioned the emotional toll from recent events, including the hacking of her Instagram account, which had millions of followers. This incident contributed to her decision to withdraw.
She reassured her supporters that her dream of participating in MGI All-Stars remains alive, and she hopes to join a future edition.
In light of her withdrawal, the Miss Venezuela National Directors are now tasked with finding a suitable replacement for Gutierrez, with expectations for candidates to arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, shortly.
The MGI All-Stars competition is scheduled to start with preliminary rounds on May 27 and 28, culminating in the Grand Final on May 30.