Miss SA Finalist Levern José Quits Pageant Amid Bullying Accusations
Levern José, a BCom Law student and a top 12 finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant, has decided to withdraw from the competition. The announcement came through a statement issued by the pageant organizers on June 19.
Earlier this month, Levern faced severe backlash on social media after several individuals shared their personal experiences of being bullied by her.
In her statement, Levern José acknowledged the accusations and revealed that she herself had been a victim of bullying. She expressed her regret for any harm she may have caused and apologized to the women she had hurt during her high school years.
“As a survivor of bullying, I learned how to protect myself from bullying during my school years. If my actions in protecting myself caused harm to anyone, I offer my sincere apologies. The pain of being a target has left an indelible mark on my heart, and I would never intentionally cause hurt or contribute to someone else’s suffering,” Levern stated.
Levern also reflected on the lessons she had learned, emphasizing the importance of kindness, respect, and empathy in her life. She expressed deep concern over the grave accusations leveled against her and affirmed her commitment to fairness and justice.
Reasons for Miss SA finalist Quitting Miss SA
Explaining her decision to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant, Levern José emphasized that all forms of abuse and bullying are unacceptable and have no place in society. She pledged to work against bullying and raise awareness about this issue.
“I am unwavering in my stance of upholding what is right and just. The pressure has been immense, and it has taken its toll on me. Together, let us strive for fairness and compassion in all our interactions with others,” Levern added.
The CEO of the Miss South Africa Organization, Stephanie Weil, accepted Levern’s decision and expressed the organization’s zero-tolerance policy towards bullying. Weil commended Levern for taking ownership of her truth and prioritizing her healing process.
Victims Share Their Experiences
The allegations of bullying against Levern José gained significant attention on social media platforms, particularly on Twitter. Users came forward to share their personal experiences with Levern, recounting incidents from their time in school.
One Twitter user, @AnelisaJu, tagged Levern and the Miss SA organization, expressing shock over her inclusion in the top 12. The tweet read, “I was shocked to learn you made it to the top 12 in Miss South competition. One of the girls you used to bully at school spoke out about what you and your gang of mean girls did to her on her WhatsApp status. You are truly a horrible person.”
Other Twitter users, @nsalemane and @FinegyaalKat, also shared their encounters with Levern, corroborating the accusations of bullying.
It’s worth noting that the allegations were initially made by Faith Judith Msiza, who tweeted last month in response to the Top 30 announcement, “Contest: Levern José is the girl who bullied me in high school she attended (Lyttelton Manor High School) Me and my father also witnessed her and her friend bully(hit) a girl named Deborah after school, and when the mother tried to intervene, they intimidated her.”
The Miss South Africa Organization remains committed to creating an environment free from bullying and has expressed support for Levern’s decision to prioritize her healing process.
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