Miss República Dominicana Universo 2012: Dulcita Lieggi

Dulcita Lieggi was officially crowned the new Miss Dominican Republic Universe during a press conference held on April 25th, after the scandal which made current titleholdler Carlina Duran lose her crown due to her civil status.

In front of dozens of cameras and the presence of the most important media outlets in the country, Lieggi was crowned by the pageant organizar Magali Febles.

22-year old Dulcita Lynn Lieggi Francisco hails from Santo Domingo and finished 1st runner-up in the national competition held on April 17th.  The 1.80 m model and actress also participated in the Miss Italia nel Mondo pageant last year.

Carlina Duran speaks out

Meanwhile, dethroned Carlina Duran assured to Listin Diario that her life as a married woman had never been consumated.

Duran mentioned details about her marriage in a press release read by her attorney, Radhames Cornielle. She had been married in June of 2009 to Emad Adl, and the relationship was abruptly ended, and then proceeded to annule the marriage, she added. After her short marriage she continued with her life as if it never happened.

Duran, who competed in Miss World Dominican Republic in 2011, went on to represent her country at the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant in China last december.  She said that hiding that aspect of her life to the Miss DR Universe organizers was a result of her inexperience.

Organizer Magali Febles said that the situation was out of their control and that she is following the rules and regulations set by the Miss Universe Organization.  Febles added that if the Miss Universe rules were changed during the following months, Duran would retake the title.

“The rule about contestants being single is established. If it was up to me, I would change it, but I cannot” said the organizer, who supports the participation of transgenders in the pageant.

Dulcita Lieggi, the new queen, said that nobody was aware Duran had been married. She was asked about the possibility of married or divorced women competin in a future, and she said that “everybody has the same opportunity to reach their goals, despite the limitations they might have”.

El comité organizador del concurso de Miss República Dominicana anunció la destitución de Carlina Durán Baldera de la corona alcanzada el pasado 17 de abril, al comprobarse que estuvo casada.El haber estado casada viola los estatutos del concurso.

El anuncio fue hecho desde Puerto Rico por Magali Febles, directora de la franquicia del concurso de Miss República Dominicana.

Informó que Durán Baldera admitió que estuvo casada, por lo que será sustituida por Dulcita Lieggi Francisco, la primera finalista del certamen de belleza.

 “Lamentamos mucho que se haya producido esta enojosa situación, porque Carlina era una excelente candidata para participar en Miss Universo”, dijo Magali Febles.

Agregó que “ella ocultó su situación de que estuvo casada y los organizadores no pueden ser cómplices y aceptar una ilegalidad. En consecuencia, no nos queda otra alternativa que retirarle la corona”.

“Estoy llegando mañana al país para coronar a la nueva Miss República Dominicana 2012”, indicó Magali Febles.

Este caso generó muchos comentarios anoche en el país, pues las redes sociales estaban inundadas de  críticas contra esta acción de la señora Carlina Durán Baldera, la cual sorprendió al país.