Israeli Miss Universe Contestant Addresses Selfie Controversy

Israeli Miss Universe Contestant Addresses Selfie Controversy

How Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Grew Closer After Oscars' …

Keanu Reeves Reenacts His Most Iconic Movie Lines (Exclusive)

‘How I Met Your Father’ Set Visit: John Corbett’s Role and Hopes…

Courteney Cox Reports for Anchor Duty as Gale Weathers at ‘Screa…

'Ted Lasso’ Season 3: Jason Sudeikis Confirms It Was Written as …

‘That's My Jam’ Season 2 Set Tour With Jimmy Fallon (Exclusive)

Cara Delevingne Believes She Would've Died If Not for Rehab

'90 Day Fiancé': Debbie Addresses Oussama's 'Madness' Claims and…

Halle Berry Attempts to Squeeze Into Her Pants

Ed Sheeran Channels His ‘Deepest, Darkest Thoughts’ on New Album…

Jay Leno Debuts New Face, New Ear After Suffering Third-Degree B…

'Chicago Fire' Addresses Taylor Kinney's Absence in New Episode

'Vanderpump Rules’: Tom Sandoval Apologizes to Ariana Madix for …

Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny Pack on the PDA After Sushi Date in…

'School Spirits' Cast Reacts to 'Ghosts' Comparisons (Exclusive)

Jenna Bush Hager Shares Emotional Note She Gave Hoda Kotb Upon R…

Chilli Makes Rare Comment About Boyfriend Matthew Lawrence

Coco Jones Vows to Stop Writing Music About Men: Here's Why (Exc…
The Miss Universeselfie controversy is hitting a fever pitch, and ET went behind the scenes with the contestants.
NEWS: Miss USA, Teen USA & Universe Are "Best Buddies"
The issue began when Miss Israel Doron Matalon posted a photo of herself with Miss Lebanon Saly Greige smiling together during pageant preparations in Miami. As their countries are technically at war, some Lebanese have called for Greige to be stripped of her title for befriending Matalon.
Greige responded to her critics, saying, "Since the first day of my arrival to participate for Miss Universe, I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel, who tried several times to take a photo with me. I was having a photo with Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia, suddenly Miss Israel jumped in and took a selfie, and uploaded it on her social media."
Matalon defended herself to ET, saying, "It's just a picture. It's just a regular selfie. I didn't know it would be all this media attention ... The Israel people are okay with this picture."
Pageant owner Donald Trump says he was saddened by the backlash.
NEWS: Miss Nevada Crowned Miss USA
"To have this happen there is no place for it," Trump told ET. "This is not the kind of thing that I would like to build up ratings."
The 63rd Miss Universe Pageant (judged by William Levy, Manny Pacquiao, Kristin Cavallari, Lisa Vanderpump and Louise Roe) airs Sunday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.