![Linette De Los Santos, the new Miss Florida USA 2017, via July 25 Instagram post [https://www.instagram.com/p/BIP9SDXhlS6/]. Miss De Los Santos became Miss Florida after contestant winner Genesis Davila was disqualified for having hired professional stylists to help her with hair and makeup.](https://twt-thumbs.washtimes.com/media/image/2016/07/27/Screen_Shot_2016-07-27_at_11.12.11_AM_c0-19-644-394_s885x516.png?08491028777c7b5c5e3a046dd24c8febad319417)
Hair and makeup are deadly serious things in the world of beauty pageants. Just ask Genesis Davila, who had to surrender her title as Miss Florida USA 2017 after contest officials learned she had hired professional beauticians.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy on rules,” pageant executive director Grant Gravitt told Miami’s local ABC News affiliate. “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.”
For her part, Ms. Davila remains defiant.
“She’s still a queen,” her attorney Mayra Joll told the ABC affiliate. “She’s still Miss Florida. She’s still Miss Florida USA. Justice is going to be served.”
Runner-up Linette De Los Santos, who has been crowned in Ms. Davila’s stead, tweeted Wednesday morning: “Such a fun morning! I was officially crowned on Inside Edition!”
The tweet linked to an Instagram post depicting Ms. De Los Santos with Brie Gabriel, last year’s winner.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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