Miss Universe Chile, Inna Moll, found herself in the middle of a social media storm this week after a few seconds of TikTok fame took an unexpected turn. The Chilean model and singer, who’s representing her country at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant, went viral for participating in the “Addicted to You” trend, but not for the reasons she might have hoped.
The now-infamous clip, posted on Inna’s official TikTok, showed her appearing to inhale a translucent powder before revealing a glamorous transformation. The powder, as she later clarified, was just makeup and part of a lighthearted behind-the-scenes joke with her glam team.
But the internet doesn’t always appreciate context. Within hours, the video had spread across fan accounts and pageant pages worldwide, igniting a heated debate. Many viewers criticized the act as “inappropriate” and “irresponsible,” arguing it clashed with Miss Universe’s image of sophistication, leadership, and advocacy.
Others were more forgiving, calling it harmless fun taken out of context. “She was just joking,” one fan commented. “People need to lighten up.” Still, the backlash was hard to ignore. Critics accused Inna of showing poor judgment during one of the most visible moments of her career. “I get it’s a trend, but you’re representing your country,” one user wrote. “This isn’t the time.”
Inna’s Response: “I Should Have Said No”
Facing mounting criticism, Inna Moll addressed the controversy through her Instagram Stories. In a candid message, she expressed regret and clarified the misunderstanding. “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 resonated with many, earning her support from fans who appreciated her willingness to take accountability. But others questioned why the idea was ever approved in the first place.
The Makeup Artist Steps Forward
A day after Inna’s statement, the makeup artist behind the video came forward with his own public apology. “To Miss Chile and everyone who loves Miss Chile, I’m deeply sorry for what happened,” he wrote in a post shared to Instagram. “What I did was thoughtless and without any hidden intent to harm the contestant or the country’s image. It was merely a piece of content following a current online trend. I assure you that something like this will not happen again.”
The apology was met with mixed reactions; some applauded his accountability, while others argued the damage had already been done.
Miss Universe Faces More Drama
Inna’s controversy wasn’t the only scandal shaking Miss Universe this year. The organization announced that it would take action against Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Universe Thailand, after a heated confrontation with Fátima Bosch, Miss Mexico, during an event.
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) stated that Nawat's behavior was "incompatible with the values of respect and dignity toward women." As a result, he quickly canceled a private dinner he had scheduled for the ten contestants who received the most votes. He cited pressure from sponsors and the MUO's order to stop all unofficial events as the reasons for the cancellation.