Miss Teen slammed for same-look top five
THE five finalists for the Miss Teen USA award, which was given to Karlie Hay of Texas, on Saturday night – have been mocked online for looking exactly the same.
The top five were Miss Texas Hay, Miss South Carolina Marley Stokes, Miss North Carolina Emily Wakeman, Miss Alabama Erin Snow and Miss Nevada Carissa Morrow.
All five of them are facially similar with light skin and blonde hair.
Miss Teen USA recently received praise for removing the swimsuit competition from the event.
But people on social media were shocked by the lack of diversity found in the finalists.
Model Chrissy Teigen wrote, sarcastically : “Wow, how can we choose from such a diverse bunch?”
Winner Hay, 18, has also been criticised after critics found tweets containing the n-word which were reportedly from her personal account.
This account is now locked, but the beauty queen has released an apology for her actions.
“I admit that I have used language publicly in the past which I am not proud of and that there is no excuse for,” she wrote.
“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 I am today a better person.
“I am honoured to hold this title and will use this platform to promote the values of the Miss Universe Organisation, and my own, that recognise the confidence, beauty and perseverance of all women.”
The Miss Universe Organisation supported Hay, but also branded her language unacceptable on Sunday.
“The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of The Miss Universe Organisation,” it said.
“Karlie was in a different place in her life and made a serious mistake she regrets and for which she sincerely apologises.
“Karlie learnt lessons through personal struggles that had reshaped her. The organisation is supporting her continued growth.” – The Telegraph