The (in)famous Brazilian pageant Miss Bumbum has come under massive criticism from citizens of the deeply Catholic country after its final nine contestants wore bikinis to recreate the famous Da Vinci painting, ‘The Last Supper’.
The contestants in the pageant, which is held annually to decide the woman with the finest ass in Brazil – were photographed in a re-enactment of the famous painting – and the contestant who had a vote as the ‘s*xiest’ bottom, portrayed Jesus in the photo whilst the others portrayed his disciples.
The Last Supper is one of Christianity’s most iconic paintings, a work of the legendary Italian artist Leonardo Da Vinci portraying Jesus at the ‘Last Supper’ with his disciples before his crucifixion.
The photo has sparked outrage in the deeply religious country, with both residents and religious leaders expressing condemnation of the stunt. Even the pageant contestants, including the s*xiest ass lady who portrayed Jesus, have expressed remorse over the action and sought forgiveness.
“I did the photo because of my contract. But I didn’t like it and I wasn’t happy about it. You can’t play around with the word of God.” Daiana Fegueredo, representing the state of Ceara, said.
“I completely understand people being angry about it, because even I’m angry and I’m in it. For me it is blasphemy.”
“I feel really bad deep inside of me. I’m a practising Catholic. Since I did the photo my heart is tight inside my chest, I can’t sleep and I don’t stop thinking about it. I’ve already asked forgiveness from God, and I ask forgiveness from everyone else. We went too far. We were part of a great sin.” Danny Morais, another contestant, also revealed her horror.
“Afterwards I was filled with remorse. God knows my heart and knows I wasn’t being bad. I think we can be controversial in other ways, but not using God’s name, not using a biblical story.” she added.
Religious leaders in the country, as well as Brazil’s Commission to Combat Religious Intolerance, have roundly condemned the image as offensive to the country’s nearly universal Catholic population.
“It has broken the boundaries of ethics and respect, all in the name of money. This isn’t creativity, it’s the vulgarisation of the sacred and is deeply disrespectful.” Father Clesio Vieira, from the Volta Redonda diocese of Rio de Janeiro said.
But pageant founder Cacau Oliver, admirably defended his decision.
“It was the last meeting of the women before the grand final. It reminded me of the Last Supper. It was where Jesus was betrayed by Judas, because of jealousy, and like it or not the woman with the most votes is also the target of jealousy.
“She is at the centre, and the other girls will want to crucify her because she got more votes than them.” he added.
All quotes via MailOnline.