Inna Moll, the Chilean model and singer representing her country at Miss Universe, probably didn’t expect a few seconds of TikTok fun to spiral into global controversy. But that’s exactly what happened when she hopped on the viral “Addicted to You” trend, a challenge meant to be cheeky and playful, that instead became one of the most talked-about moments of this year’s pageant season.
The clip, posted on her official TikTok account, shows Inna appearing to inhale a translucent powder before revealing a glam transformation. The powder, she later clarified, was just makeup, part of a joke with the pageant’s glam team. The intent was lighthearted, the result anything but.
Almost instantly, the internet caught fire. Fans, fellow contestants, and pageant followers accused Miss Chile of showing poor judgment. Critics said the imagery, even if comedic, clashed with the image of elegance, integrity, and leadership that Miss Universe promotes. Others called it tone-deaf.
Fans Turn on Miss Chile
Comments flooded her social media. Some defended her humor; others weren’t as forgiving. One user wrote, “I get it’s a trend, but you’re representing your country, this isn’t the time.” Another added, “Many young women look up to you. Your choices matter.”
The debate quickly became a digital battleground between those who saw an innocent trend and those who saw a reckless move by a public figure on an international stage.
Inna Moll’s Public Apology
Feeling the pressure, Inna took to Instagram to explain. In a series of stories, she apologized for the misunderstanding, admitting she got caught up in the moment. “I want to apologize to those who were offended,” she said. “The makeup artist told me to record it, and maybe because of the language barrier, I didn’t fully grasp what was happening. I said no at first, but he insisted, and I went along. I should have said no firmly.”
Her honesty struck a chord with some fans, but the damage was already done. Pageant experts and “missologists” warned the backlash could hurt her chances in the competition or even cost her a place in the finals.
Miss Universe Faces Its Own Drama
Ironically, Inna’s controversy wasn’t the only scandal shaking Miss Universe this week. The organization announced legal action against Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Universe Thailand, after a heated confrontation with Fátima Bosch, Miss Mexico, during an event.
According to the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), Nawat’s conduct was deemed “incompatible with the values of respect and dignity toward women.” The fallout was immediate; he canceled a private dinner he’d planned for the ten most-voted contestants, citing pressure from sponsors and MUO’s directive to halt all unofficial events.
A Lesson in Image and Influence
Both incidents highlight a growing truth about modern pageantry. For Inna Moll, this may serve as a defining moment. Whether it derails her Miss Universe journey or becomes a story of redemption depends on what she does next. The internet can be brutal, but it also loves a comeback.
In 2024, Italy Mora was disqualified from the Miss Universe 2024 competition. The then 19-year-old, who was set to represent Panama on November 16 in Mexico City, alleged economic irregularities and a lack of support from the National Director of Miss Panama, César Anel Rodríguez, after her boyfriend was seen inside her hotel room.
Although it was initially announced that Italy would retain her Miss Universe Panama crown, her statements prompted the organization to strip her of the title officially. "The Miss Panama Organization deeply regrets the disqualification of our contestant in the 73rd Miss Universe. This decision was made by the Miss Universe Organization after a thorough evaluation, which verified through security systems and the work team that our candidate was in a room other than the one assigned to her, accompanied by a person outside the pageant production, with no official makeup artists present," stated a social media announcement from the organization.
The final competition of the Miss Universe pageant is scheduled to take place on November 21 at 8 a.m. Thailand time. In the United States, the event will be broadcast on Telemundo and Peacock on November 20 due to the time difference.
The broadcast will be hosted by Carlos Adyan, Jessica Carrillo, Jacqueline Bracamontes, and Danilo Carrera, as reported by NBCUniversal. Coverage will begin at 7 p.m. ET.