The long-running Miss South Africa pageant made headlines for all the right reasons earlier this year when it announced it had changed its rules and regulations to, among others, allow married women and mothers to enter the competition for the first time.

But, as has become the norm in recent years, it was not long until one of the finalists found herself in hot water after it emerged that she allegedly bullied schoolmates in high school.

José withdrew from running for the crown on Tuesday.

"The Miss South Africa organisation does not condone bullying of any kind," the pageant organisation said in a statement. "We accept Levern's decision to pull out of the competition and respect her for owning her truth and taking this time to focus on her own healing."

News24 takes a closer look at the rise and fall of former Miss South Africa top 12 finalist, Levern 'Donnatella' José, who was thrust into the limelight last month.

Click 'read more' for a look at the timeline of events that transpired.