In the midst of all the horror that is “Miss Universe” host Steve Harvey crowning Miss Colombia when he should have crowned Miss Philippines during the pageant on Sunday night, one touching story got lost in all the chaos.
According to E! Online, Miss Slovenia, Ana Halovan, suffered an extreme seizure shortly before the contest took place. As a result of the seizure, Ana lost the use of the right side of her face, making her unable to compete in the live portion of the pageant.
“Everybody else is [SIC] like, you’re going to be so sad that you won’t be in pageant, but I said don’t cry over me because I’m okay. Don’t worry,” Ana said. “I have moved forward. I will overcome this.”
It is unknown as to what prompted Ana’s seizure or if she had a history of seizures before her most recent one, but the Slovenian model didn’t let it stop her from walking across the Miss Universe stage on Sunday.
Despite not being able to compete in the full pageant, she was introduced to the stage while last year’s Miss Universe handed her a bouquet of flowers and the audience gave her a standing ovation.
“She thought she had lost her chance, but she didn’t,” Steve said. “Let’s give her that moment for fulfilling her dream of walking on the Miss Universe stage with her friends. Please welcome, Miss Universe Slovenia.”
Ana graciously took center stage and waved to the audience appreciatively.
Ana has always dreamed big.