Former Miss BumBum targeted by xenophobia in Portugal: "I was very sad..."

Brazilian influencer and former Miss Bumbum Débora Dunhill has publicly denounced an episode of xenophobia she experienced in Portugal . The Brazilian, who gained notoriety after participating in the Portuguese reality show Love On Top on TVI, recounted being insulted in a shopping mall for... wearing a Benfica jersey.

“I was walking around wearing my Benfica jersey, the club that welcomed me with passion after 'Love On Top' in 2019. I have nothing against other clubs, I'm not the kind of person who argues about football,” Débora recounted, explaining that the incident occurred when a group of people started shouting, claiming that she “didn't deserve to wear the Benfica jersey” because she is Brazilian.

“I’ve always said I like Benfica and I’ve never discriminated against anyone, but people discriminate against me for supporting a Portuguese club, even though I’m Brazilian. This has been happening for a long time, and today it was very unpleasant to go through it,” she lamented.

“I believe that cases of xenophobia against Brazilians have increased significantly, especially among women trying to integrate into Portuguese culture,” she stated, adding: “I will continue to love Portugal. Excuse the outburst, but I was very sad and upset to hear this from a Portuguese man and woman . I didn't expect it, but I hope it doesn't happen again. I will continue to support my beloved team, Benfica. If people don't like it, there's nothing I can do,” she concluded.

Text: Tiago Miguel Simões; Photos: DR

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