Beauty queen left ‘humiliated’ after Miss World bans her for being a divorced mum
A BEAUTY queen is taking legal action against the Miss World contest after she was banned for being a mum.
Veronika Didusenko, 24, was crowned Miss Ukraine in 2018 but stripped of her title four days later when it was revealed she was divorced with a son.
She should have gone on to represent her country in the Miss World finals but was banned from taking part and replaced by another contestant.
Veronika claims bosses of the UK-owned Miss World franchise are in breach of the Equalities Act 2010 and has demanded they change their “outdated” entry rules.
She said: “It was really humiliating when I was disqualified. I was very upset. I had to hand back the title, the crown and prize money.
“I couldn’t believe they would do such a thing in this day and age.
“Why does having a son and being previously married disqualify me? It’s shocking.”
Veronika, who travels to modelling jobs with son Alex, five, added: “I can’t believe these rules still exist. They are archaic. I think they are breaching equalities laws.”
Her human rights lawyer Ravi Naik, of ITN solicitors in London, said: “It is a clear case of discrimination.”
The Miss World Organisation failed to respond to requests for comment.
Chief executive Julia Morley, who has run the contest for the past 19 years, has previously said the rules are there to protect children’s welfare.
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