After winning Miss Teen USA 2016, Karlie Hay, who represented Texas in the pageant, has earned criticism online after her tweets with allegedly racist content went viral. Hay was crowned the winner in the competition that drew 51 participants, one from each state and the District of Columbia, on July 30 with Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and Cody Johns hosting.
The tweets from the new Miss Teen USA 2016 are now private but a predecessor, 2010 winner Kamie Crawford, has asked what everybody was thinking: why didn't Karlie Hay do it as soon as she won? "If u win any pageant - first things first. Clean up ur page. Cus if ur under 21 u shouldn't b drinking&if ur WHITE the n word ain't yo word!"
If u win any pageant - first things first. Clean up ur page. Cus if ur under 21 u shouldn't b drinking&if ur WHITE the n word ain't yo word!
— Kamie Crawford (@TheRealKamie) July 31, 2016
For her part, the new Miss Teen USA 2016 winner posted an apology on her official Twitter account, saying that she understands her wrongs and she was in a different place then, Vanity Fair reported. "Several years ago, I had many personal struggles and found myself in a place that is not representative of who I am as a person...," she wrote.
Wow how can we choose from such a diverse bunch https://t.co/0a4JHbP465 — christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) July 31, 2016
The Miss Teen USA 2016 pageant also earned criticism from model/host Chrissy Teigen after the top five candidates consisted of white, blond young women. "Wow how can we choose from such a diverse bunch," she tweeted before moved on to other things to avoid inciting more drama.
Several years ago, I had many personal struggles and found myself in a place that is not representative of who I am as a person...
— Karlie Hay (@RealMissTXteen) July 31, 2016
The Miss Universe Organization, which owns Miss Teen USA 2016, still has not issued a comment on the issue, CNN reported. It could be because the organization's head honchos are busy preparing the logistics for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines.
What do you think of the past tweets of the current Miss Teen USA 2016? Do you think she meant her apology? Let us know in the comments below. Meanwhile, watch the entire Miss Teen USA 2016 pageant in the video below.
