Dethroned Miss Florida USA 2017 Genesis Davila Sues Pageant Organization for $15 Million

Beauty queen fights back against the organization and urges judge to give her back the crown

This beauty queen isn't going down without a fight. 

About a week after Genesis Davila won the title of Miss Florida USA 2017, she was stripped of her crown. The pageant accused the Puerto Rican model of violating one of the regulations from the organization: You cannot have your hair and makeup professionally done. "We have a zero-tolerance policy on rules," said Grant Gravitt, executive producer of the Miss Florida USA pageant, to Miami's Local 10. "Whether it's something major or minor, it's all about keeping an equal and level playing field. Unfortunately, our title holder sought an unfair competitive advantage, and that's just not acceptable in our system."

Now the beauty queen is firing back in a 21-page lawsuit asking a Miami-Dade circuit judge to issue an emergency injunction restoring her title, according to the Miami Herald. Her lawyer states that one of the key photos used against his client was actually taken more than a week before the pageant. Davila's defamation lawsuit is seeking $15 million—and the return of her crown. 

Working his magic @ildegoncalves ???? 0??7?? DAYS? #missflorida2017

A photo posted by Genesis Davila® (@genesismdavila) on Jul 9, 2016 at 11:55am PDT

"When one steps out of line, it's not fair to the other 64, and I couldn't look at the other 64 in the eye knowing that I had substantial proof to say. Unfortunately, she sought an unfair advantage," Gravitt said.

Davila and her legal team say otherwise. "She didn't have a professional hair and makeup person. She did it herself," Wolfe said during a press conference. "No one is going to have their hair and makeup done nine days in advance of a pageant."

"I am innocent. All these false allegations have taken me completely by surprise," Davila said during the press conference. 

According to the lawsuit, Gravitt angrily accused her of lying about her U.S. citizenship. "Let me remind you, Puerto Rico is part of this country," her lawyer said.

After the Davila was dethroned, Miss Sunny Isles Beach USA Linette De Los Santos was named the new Miss Florida USA 2017.

Gravitt and his company, TelAir, which produces the pageant, declined to comment because of the pending lawsuit, according to the Miami Herald.