Falls at beauty pageants are always highly commented on. This Wednesday, the backstage drama was at the preliminary of the Miss Teen USA, where two contestants fell while walking the runway.
Most iconic falls by models and beauty pageant contestants are due to difficulties walking in their heels, whether it's because they can't maintain their balance, they trip, or their legs get tangled in the high heels while walking. However, this time it was different. The fall of both models occurred because as they were walking the runway, they weren't looking at the floor, and without realizing it, they stepped off the platform, falling dramatically in front of the audience and the judging panel.
People en Español reported that the first one to fall was Olivia Travis, who was representing West Virginia. The contestant was modeling sportswear, so she was not wearing heels but sports shoes. She was smiling brightly on stage when, without realizing it, she got closer to the edge of the platform and stepped into the void. Fortunately, the situation did not go beyond a scare; she quickly got up and raised her thumbs up as a sign that she was okay.
Later, Travis spoke out through his Instagram account: "I feel on top of the world after last night's preliminaries. I'm sure many of you have seen the video. If you haven't, I fell during a fitness competition, but I don't mind. For me, success is not defined by things always going as planned or 'perfectly.' Nothing is perfect."
She added that "success is about getting back up when a curveball is thrown. I achieved it last night. There is nothing I would change and I feel very honored to make my dream come true of walking on the iconic stage of Miss Teen USA".
Another fall at Miss Teen USA
After Olivia Travis, the next one to fall was Noni Diarra, the representative from Pennsylvania. She was also wearing high heels, but she didn't fall because of them. Just like the previous contestant, she walked off the platform while parading, getting closer and closer to the edge until she took a step into the void.
Several people ran to check on her and help her get up, but she quickly got up and finished her parade.