Karlie Hay 2016 Miss Teen USA (Miss Teen USA/Facebook)
Miss Teen USA winner Karlie Hay is apologizing for recently unearthed racist tweets after the ceremony’s lack of diversity was called into question. The Texas native was crowned the 2016 pageant queen Saturday night at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada. While she was celebrating her victory, Twitter sleuths pulled a series of tweets littered with the n-word from Hay’s personal account.
Most of the messages date back to 2013 with one from 2014. Miss Teen USA continuously uses the n-word in an effort to be humorous.
“Watching Taken with out [sic] my n—– @maryguinn1 because she chooses @Willis_Trace over me,” Hay wrote in one tweet. “Feel special b—-.”
Hay has since made her personal Twitter account private and issued an apology on her Instagram page.
The same message was posted on her official Miss Teen USA Twitter account.
Hay will retain her crown per pageant officials, who reference statements made on the winner’s social media accounts. They say 18-year-old went through personal struggles and regrets her comments.
Not everyone accepted her apology, however.
@Pforpublicist said the Tomball, Texas cheerleader does not deserve a crown.
@RealMissTXteen just because you think you're a better person doesn't mean you deserve a crown. Today will NEVER erase your RACIST words.
— The Publicist (@Pforpublicist) August 1, 2016
Mimi Fikre called for the teen to step down from her position.
@RealMissTXteen @MissTeenUSA time to step down. Bigotry and hate can't be tolerated #MissTeen
— Mimi Fikre (@Meemz1) August 1, 2016
Black Twitter also condemned the pageant letting Hay keep her crown because of Vanessa Williams. The actress became the first Black Miss America in 1983. She was stripped of her title because of a nude magazine spread published 10 months after her win. Williams received an apology 32 years later.
Vanessa Williams lost her title over a nude photo shoot and didn't get an apology until 32 years later. That's how they do us though.
— Dr. J (@DrTGIF) August 1, 2016
In addition to the controversy surrounding its winner, Miss Teen USA has also been questioned for its overwhelmingly white contestants. Many have noticed the lack of representation in the competition, which only featured three Black contenders.
Writer and podcaster Tora Shae posted several tweets critiquing the pageant over the weekend. When the show revealed the top 5 contestants, Shae posted images meant to depict their similarities.
One featured five slices of white bread.
Wowwww RT @MissTeenUSA These are your TOP 5 #MissTeenUSA contestants! pic.twitter.com/tdX5pAycQG
— Tora Shae (@BlackMajiik) July 31, 2016
Another image displayed five jars of mayonnaise.
Beautiful!!! RT @MissTeenUSA These are your TOP 5 #MissTeenUSA contestants! pic.twitter.com/Htyyc78EAy
— Tora Shae (@BlackMajiik) July 31, 2016
Model Chrissy Teign also sarcastically commended the organization’s diversity.
Wow how can we choose from such a diverse bunch https://t.co/0a4JHbP465
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) July 31, 2016
@GisellesEgo reacted using a Will Smith gif.
@MissTeenUSA pic.twitter.com/2S3NLEwc4U
— Ama$ing Amy (@GisellesEgo) July 31, 2016
