Miss Universe Contestant Faces Backlash After Mimicking Drug Use

Chilean Miss Universe delegate Inna Moll has apologized after participating in a controversial social media trend.

Earlier this week, the model and influencer posted a since-deleted video showing off her makeup look with a before-and-after transition trend. Set to Shakira’s 2010 single “Addicted to You,” Moll used a makeup brush to dab white powder on her arm, then gestured with her nose as if she was using drugs.

Moll shared the clip during her stay in Bangkok, where she’s set to represent Chile at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant on Nov. 21. Neither Moll nor the makeup artist, Taratorn Aek, immediately responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Shortly after sharing the clip, she posted another update responding to criticism from viewers. Speaking in Spanish, Moll apologized to anyone offended by her content, and she also alleged that her makeup artist came up with the concept. Miss Chile admitted that she “should have refused” to partake.

She also shared a fan-made post to her Instagram Stories. The image included a photo of Moll above Spanish text reading, as translated into English, “We can’t erase our mistakes, because if we do, we’ll just repeat them. Let’s use them as learning experiences.”

Aek also released a statement about the now-viral incident, which Moll reposted on her Stories as well. He began by addressing “Miss Chile and everyone who loves Miss Chile.”

“I’m deeply sorry for what happened. I sincerely apologize to Miss Chile and everyone involved.
What I did was thoughtless and without any hidden intent to harm the contestant or the country’s image,” wrote Aek. “It was merely a piece of content following a current online trend. I assure you that something like this will not happen again.”

Miss Universe previously made headlines on Tuesday, Nov. 4, when multiple women appeared to get up and leave a pre-pageant event. In a livestream on the organization’s official Facebook page, pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil called out Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch for allegedly refusing to partake in a photo shoot meant for contestants to share on social media.

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She denied the claims, however, Itsaragrisil continued to chastise her. She eventually walked out of the room, and several other contestants got up to follow.

The Miss Universe organization, Fátima Bosch and Itsaragrisil did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Itsaragrisil has since apologized for the incident. During a pageant welcome event, he addressed Miss Universe delegates who could be seen standing behind him.

“I had not [intended] to harm anyone because I respect all of you,” he said, speaking into a microphone. “I am so sorry it happened. First, I have to apologize to the delegates. If anyone was affected and not comfortable with what happened, I am so sorry.”