She calls it like she sees it! Chrissy Teigen took to Twitter on Sunday, July 31, to mock the lack of diversity among the top five Miss Teen USA finalists.
The outspoken social media maven, 30, shared a photo collage of the pageant’s final five young women competing for the crown in 2016; the composite featured the headshots of Miss Texas Karlie Hay (who won the coveted title), first runner-up Miss North Carolina Emily Wakeman, second runner-up Miss South Carolina Marley Stokes, Miss Alabama Erin Snow and Miss Nevada Carissa Morrow — all of whom are white and blonde.
These are your TOP 5 #MissTeenUSA contestants! pic.twitter.com/qi3KJT6COb
— Miss Teen USA (@MissTeenUSA) July 31, 2016
“Wow how can we choose from such a diverse bunch,” the model, who is mom of baby girl Luna with husband John Legend, tweeted.
Wow how can we choose from such a diverse bunch https://t.co/0a4JHbP465
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) July 31, 2016
After fielding varying reactions and opinions from her 2.24 million followers, Teigen insisted that she was simply making an observation.
“It’s fiiiiiine. Not their fault. I’m sure they are delightful women. Just funny,” she wrote. “I’m not gonna write a think-piece on a damn pageant.”
Teigen wasn’t the only one to comment on the lack of diversity among the highest-scoring pageant contestants. “The 3rd and 4th girl are literally the same person,” one tweeter wrote, while another questioned: “Are they all the same person or..?”
Though Miss Teen USA has been criticized for its failure to include people of color in the top five, the pageant’s most recent victor, Hay, 18, has come under fire after she was called out for using racist language — including the n-word — in several tweets a couple years back.
“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. 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 on Instagram on July 31. “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.”
She continued, “I am honored to hold this title and I will use this platform to promote the values of The Miss Universe Organization, and my own, that recognize the confidence, beauty and perseverance of all women.”
In a follow-up statement, Miss Teen USA revealed that it would not be revoking Hay’s title for her past remarks.
“The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of The Miss Universe Organization. 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,” the statement read. “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.”
The organization’s decision to stand behind Hay has shocked many, since Miss Florida Genesis Davila was recently stripped of her crown after it was discovered that she was allegedly using professional hair and makeup artists backstage — which is apparently a big no-no in the pageant world.
