‘Stop scamming Filipino designers’: Michael Cinco calls out ‘ungrateful’ Miss Universe Canada

  DUBAI – Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco called out Miss Universe Canada Nova Stevens and her team for being “ungrateful, vile and professional users”. In a Facebook post on Sunday (May 23), Cinco shared a screenshot of a comment from MGmode Communications, Stevens’ publicist, which insinuated that he tried to sabotage Miss Canada’s chances at Miss Universe. “The gown was sent late by Michael’s team, and when it arrived none of them fitted! We were able to one for the finals but the one for prelims, we didn’t have time,” the comment read. “Such a terrible mistake should not have happen. We love Michael! But this was inexplicable. At the same time, they had to custom made a gown for another delegate who checked in with her custom made Michael Cinco gown. Things don’t add up! Sadly,” it continued. In a lengthy Facebook post, Cinco lambasted the Canadian team, saying, “The insinuation that my team was trying to sabotage her win, is just absurd.” The Miss Universe 2020 coronation was held in Florida on May 17 (May 16 in US), with Mexico’s Andrea Meza winning the crown. Miss Canada failed to make it to the Top 21 list. “Miguel Martinez, Denis Martin Davila and Miss Canada Organization and your ungrateful Miss Canada Nova Stevens. You have been spreading fake news about me and my team being unprofessional days before the pageant but I chose to be quiet and calm. But this time, I need to stand up for me and my team, as it is just so unfair!” Cinco said. The Miss Canada team tapped Cinco as her official gown designer for the 69th Miss Universe pageant. On Sunday, Cinco revealed they have used and scammed him for the past three years. He also told the team behind Miss Universe Canada to stop blaming him that Miss Canada did not make it to the Miss Universe’s Top 21 list. Cinco said he could not let the incident pass. “This time, I strongly take offense as it involves my team and my credibility. Not to mention, the eventual realization that I have been used and scammed by these low lives pseudo glam team,” he wrote. Cinco also addressed the allegations made against him. “Firstly, the gowns arrived on time. Or how could you have sent me photos and videos of her wearing them, showing how the gowns perfectly fitted her, days before each event. You even posted a video of Nova in her last fitting and she was happy,” he said. The award-winning designer stressed that he was asked by the team to make Miss Canada’s 26-inch waist line cinched to 23 inches. “I obviously didn’t heed even if you said that in pageants, comfort doesn’t matter. But please, don’t say that her gown was ill-fitting,” he added. He also dismissed claims that his team didn’t support Stevens, saying he even hired a team of world-class photographers and filmmakers for her shoot in Dubai to give her extra publicity. “Everything in that shoot was paid for by me,” he said.
The fashion designer shared that while other Miss Universe candidates reached out to thank him for wearing his gowns, “for Nova and your team, not only have I not got a curt thank you but even seemed so upset with me for being eliminated in the pageant. Am I the judge?” “Stop blaming me for Nova’s not making it to the Top 21 in Miss Universe. In fact, she did not wear my gown to the prelims as you were earlier posting that she will wear another gown. And now you’re telling me that her prelims gown killed her to advance to the finals. Am I to be blamed for that?” he continued. He revealed that the Miss Canada team had been exploiting him for several years. “Lastly, here is the real truth to be told. You and your team have been using me and taking advantage of my kindness for the past three consecutive years to dress up your candidates without paying me any cents,” he said. “You all are ungrateful, vile and professional users,” he added. Cinco also told the Miss Canada team to stop asking help from Filipino designers for their future pageants. “Next time, don’t ask me or any Filipino designers to dress up your candidates. Ask your Canadian designers to showcase their works world stage.” “I don’t need you in my career and dressing up your candidates will not help my business. Stop taking advantage of my kindness and stop scamming Filipino designers.… Shame on you and your whole Canada team,” Cinco said.

Miss Universe Canada 2020 Nova Stevens clarifies issue with Cinco

On Sunday, Miss Canada posted a video clarifying her side of the issue. “This really hurts me because I have nothing but love for both parties. They have both helped me in ways I can’t even count,” Stevens said, with her head rested on her hand. She also tried to appease Cinco, saying, “Michael, I have nothing but love and gratitude towards you. You have created the most beautiful gown I could even think of. I never once imagined I would work with you because you’re Michael Cinco. So the fact that I was able to work with you is honestly the highlight of my career.”
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube 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