Ashley Callingbull Stops Miss Universe Canada to Call Out Huge Issue

Aman SharmaThu, August 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM UTC

0

Photo credit: ashleycallingbull - Instagram

Ashley Callingbullhalted the Miss Universe Canada 2026 competition to call out contestants over costumes featuring Indigenous elements. The former winner addressed the issue during the final segments, highlighting her concerns over cultural appropriation.

Ashley Callingbull addresses contestant costumes featuring Indigenous cultural elements during the Miss Universe Canada competition

Ashley Callingbull, the Miss Universe Canada 2024 winner, paused this year’s competition. She addressed contestants who wore costumes featuring Indigenous elements.

Callingbull was hosting the final segments of the pageant on August 8. During the event, when Miss Universe Canada director Sonny Borelli was on stage announcing the names of qualifying contestants, Callingbull stopped the event. She asked for the music to be stopped and said, “I wanted to acknowledge something. So with Miss Universe Canada, me being the first Indigenous First Nations Miss Universe Canada, that was such a huge honor. One of the biggest dreams of my life was coming here and fulfilling that.”

“But sometimes there are mistakes that are made. During this week, I wanted to acknowledge this. During the national competition, the costume competition, there was cultural appropriation that was done towards Indigenous peoples. And I saw this right away. I wasn’t there. I just saw it on video,” she added.

According to PEOPLE, one contestant named Jasleen Kaily wore mukluks, which are traditional boots worn by many Indigenous communities. Another contestant, Karisa Haverkamp, wore a turquoise, black, and white feathered headdress and painted a hand on her cheek.

Advertisement

After Callingbull called out contestants, both apologized for wearing Indigenous elements in posts shared on Instagram after the event.

Miss Universe Canada also issued a statement to address the issue. The statement read, “We have recently received feedback regarding some of the national costumes featured in our competition. We want to address this directly and sincerely: if any costume caused offense, hurt, or misunderstanding, please know that it was never our intention.”

​Callingbull’s decision to address the issue during the competition drew attention to the importance of respecting Indigenous culture.

TELL US – DO YOU AGREE WITH ASHLEY CALLINGBULL’S CONCERNS ABOUT THE INDIGENOUS-INSPIRED COSTUMES?

The post Ashley Callingbull Stops Miss Universe Canada to Call Out Huge Issue appeared first on Reality Tea.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”