Miss Teen USA’s is standing by this year’s pageant winner, Karlie Hay of Texas, after she was forced to apologize for posting racial slurs on her Twitter account.
After Hay was crowned Miss Teen USA on Saturday, social media users dug up a series of past tweets in which Hay used the N-word, sparking an immediate outcry.
https://twitter.com/VaultJosh/status/759613959989239808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Some were especially outraged at the revelations, having previously criticized the pageant for its lack of diversity, given that the top five contestants were all white and blonde.
So brave of Miss Teen USA to promote diversity of eyebrow shape!!! pic.twitter.com/nENY8jMs7e
— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) July 31, 2016
Hay immediately apologized for the “inexcusable” tweets, which she said were “not representative of who I am now” and a consequence of the “many personal struggles” she had endured. Hay credited her experience taking part in beauty pageants with helping to make her a “better person.”
I admit that I have used language publicly in the past which I am not proud of and that there is no excuse for. Through hard work…
— Karlie Hay (@MissTXTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
Through hard work, education and thanks in large part to the sisterhood that I have come to know through pageants, I am proud to say that…
— Karlie Hay (@MissTXTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
I am today a better person. I am honored to hold this title and I will use this platform to promote the values of…
— Karlie Hay (@MissTXTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
The Miss Universe Organization, and my own, that recognize the confidence, beauty and perseverance of all women.
— Karlie Hay (@MissTXTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
The Miss Universe Organization, which oversees the Miss Teen USA pageant, denounced Hay’s use of racial slurs, but stood by her and celebrated her commitment to personal growth.
“The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of The Miss Universe Organization,” the organization said in a statement. “As Karlie stated, she was in a different place in her life and made a serious mistake she regrets and for which she sincerely apologizes. Karlie learned many lessons through those personal struggles that reshaped her life and values. We as an organization are committed to supporting her continued growth.”
Miss Universe was previously owned by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who sold the organization to the WME/IMG, the talent agency run by Ari Emanuel, brother of Chicago mayor and former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.
