Tatiana Calmellthe Peruvian representative in the Miss Universe 2024she has been full of challenges since she started her career as a model at the age of 14. Your participation in one cycle of it ‘Peru’s Next Model’ marked before and after in his career, but not for the reasons expected. The then 18-year-old had a controversial incident that rocked the local modeling industry, when she denied inappropriate contact with Antonio Borgesmodel and judge on the show, which eventually led to his termination.
The incident happened during a photo session at sea, where the participants had to stand near Brazil. Tatiana Calmelluncomfortable with the jury’s proximity, he asked him not to touch her, but he ignored her requests. “Unfortunately, I was in a bikini, which made me much more uncomfortable… As a girl, at my age, I don’t want this to be a big show, but I couldn’t be comfortable, ” she declared, between tears.
His discomfort affected his performance in the challenge, something that Antonio Borges to criticize her publicly: “Tatiana was the disaster of the day. It was an interactive shoot … and you have to touch. I’ve traveled the world, worked with incredible, beautiful models, who do you think you are? His attitude bothered me. Where do you think you are going? “Do something else,” said the jury of the idle program. ATV.
The criticism did not end there. Sergio Corvachocoach of the participants, supported Borges with disparaging comments: “I don’t know if he likes men or if Antonio doesn’t like him as a man. We are not with Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell, who can afford their tantrums. We are not doing porn or explicit sex, they are just fashion photos. I don’t think there is any kind of sexual threat.“said the makeup artist, downplaying the participant’s comments.
Already before the judges, Tatiana Calmell She continued to defend her position, although she was accused of not having a career as a model and of showing a “vulgar attitude” to the jury. Valeria de Santisthe show’s host, who was blunt when she announced she was being fired ‘Peru’s Next Model’: “This is a mistake I cannot let go of. We brought Antonio to judge you and see how you did. “We’re at a point where I can’t forgive that.”
Despite his departure in tears, Tatiana Calmell stood firm, ensuring that Borges He touched her inappropriately, which also made other participants uncomfortable. Today, the model left this chapter behind to represent Peru in the Miss Universe 2024carrying with him a story that shows the fight for his principles.
In the run-up to the final Miss Universe 2024, Tatiana Calmell he was surprised when he welcomed a painful experience from the past. The representative of Peru admitted that she suffered sexual harassment in the workplace at the age of 18, an incident that marked her deeply and that, according to speculation, is related to her participation in ‘Another Top Model of Peru‘. Although she avoided going into details, the model showed how this experience transformed pain into a social project.
“I started this project as a result of an experience when I was 18 years old. I was sexually harassed during my job and I decided to raise my voice, not only because of my situation, but also for many other women who go through this,” explained the Miss Peru 2024 while referring to ‘Amarte’, his initiation.
‘love you‘ tries to promote self-love and provide accessible psychological support, working with professionals who offer girls and women tools to face difficult situations with courage. “It was born as an inspiration to give different girls psychological tools from professionals so that they can find courage and don’t be afraid to express yourself” added the model, emphasizing the transformative impact of her project.
Saturday night, November 16, Tatiana Calmell Scream in the final of Miss Universe 2024achieving an excellent position by ranking the twelve who were in the competition. After her swimsuit parade, the Peruvian model and actress was chosen along with other women from different nations, standing out in the Top 12 of Miss Universeincluding:
- Bolivia – Juliana Barrientos
- Mexico – María Fernanda Beltran
- Venezuela – Ilana Marquez
- Argentina – Magali Benejam
- Puerto Rico – Jennifer Colin
- Nigeria – Chidimma Adetshina
- Russia – Valentina Alekseeva
- Chile - Emilia Dides
- Thailand – Opal Suchata Chuangsri
- Denmark - Victoria Kjær
- Canada – Ashley Callingbull
Despite his excellent participation, Tatiana Calmell failed to progress Top 5which consisted of representatives from Nigeria, Mexico, Denmark, Thailand y Venezuela. However, his great performance on stage was widely recognized, raising his name Peru.
Victoria Kjaer Theilvigrepresentative of Denmarkwas crowned Miss Universe 2024 in an exciting final held on November 16 in Mexico City. At the age of 21, the young dancer, with a degree in business administration and marketing, and a diamond seller, stood out among the finalists, beating Nigeria. Chidimma Adetshina and the Mexican Maria Fernanda Beltran
How did Tatiana Calmell’s experience on ‘Peru’s Next Top Model’ influence her advocacy work for women’s rights?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Tatiana Calmell, Miss Universe 2024 Representative from Peru
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Tatiana! We’re excited to have you here today. Your journey has been full of remarkable challenges and triumphs. Let’s begin with your experience on ‘Peru’s Next Top Model’. You faced a controversial incident that led to your departure from the show. Could you tell us what happened and how it felt to stand up for yourself?
Tatiana Calmell (TC): Thank you for having me! Yes, that experience was quite overwhelming. During a photo session, I found myself in a very uncomfortable situation with one of the judges, Antonio Borges. Despite my clear request for him not to touch me, he disregarded my boundaries. It was especially difficult to navigate because I was in a bikini, which made me feel even more vulnerable. Standing up for myself in that moment was crucial, even though it cost me my spot in the competition.
TNE: That must have been incredibly challenging, both emotionally and professionally. After your departure, how did the public reaction impact you, and how did you find the strength to move forward?
TC: The reaction was mixed. While some supported me, others criticized my actions, saying I lacked experience. I was hurt, but I realized I had to use this pain to fuel my passion for change. I decided to share my story, not just for myself but for many women who feel voiceless in similar situations.
TNE: It seems your experience spurred you to create something meaningful. Can you tell us about ‘Amarte’, your project aimed at helping women?
TC: Absolutely. ‘Amarte’ is a direct response to the sexual harassment I faced at 18 years old. The project aims to promote self-love and provides accessible psychological support for girls and women. Through workshops and professional guidance, we equip them with the tools they need to confront their challenges and express themselves without fear.
TNE: It’s inspiring to see how you turned personal trauma into a platform for empowerment. As you prepare for Miss Universe 2024, how do you plan to use this platform to elevate women’s voices further?
TC: Miss Universe is a powerful stage, and I believe it’s a great opportunity to shine a light on critical issues like gender-based violence and mental health. I aim to share my story and amplify the voices of women who have been silenced. My ultimate goal is to inspire others to rise, speak out, and create a supportive community that fosters healing and empowerment.
TNE: That’s a powerful vision, Tatiana. Looking ahead to the competition, what qualities do you think define a strong representative for your country?
TC: A representative should embody resilience, compassion, and a commitment to social issues. It’s essential to be someone who not only showcases beauty but also represents culture and advocates for change. I want to show the world that beauty can be a powerful tool for transformation.
TNE: Thank you, Tatiana. Your journey is a testament to the strength of women everywhere. We wish you all the best in your Miss Universe venture and commend you for your advocacy work with ‘Amarte’.
TC: Thank you so much! I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my story, and I hope it can inspire others to pursue their dreams while standing strong for what they believe in.