Miss Teen USA Offensive Tweets, Lack Of Diversity

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images.

On Saturday, Miss Texas Teen Karlie Hay won the annual Miss Teen USA pageant, held at The Venetian Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. But her win was overshadowed by controversy. Several Twitter users quickly alleged that Hay used offensive language on Twitter, including the N-word, in a number of tweets that have since been deleted. Refinery29 could not independently verify these tweets. Users shared screenshots that they claim are from Hay's account and several media outlets shared the screengrabs on their sites. By Sunday afternoon, Twitter was calling Hay "racist" and some users were even asking for her crown to be removed. Hay took to Twitter to apologize for what she calls language that she's "not proud of and that there is no excuse for."

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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

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 (@RealMissTXteen) 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 (@RealMissTXteen) 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 (@RealMissTXteen) July 31, 2016

The Miss Universe Organization, and my own, that recognize the confidence, beauty and perseverance of all women.
— Karlie Hay (@RealMissTXteen) July 31, 2016

The Miss Teen USA pageant has not yet responded to Refinery29's request for comment on the controversy. Even before Hay's big win, Twitter was unhappy with the pageant. After the list of competitors was narrowed down from 51 young women to five finalists — which included Miss North Carolina Emily Wakeman, Miss South Carolina Marley Stokes, Miss Alabama Erin Snow, and Miss Nevada Carissa Morrow — the Miss Teen USA Twitter account announced the five finalists with photos of the young women.

These are your TOP 5 #MissTeenUSA contestants! pic.twitter.com/qi3KJT6COb
— Karlie Hay (@MissTeenUSA) July 31, 2016

Many noticed one striking similarity: All five finalists were white women with blonde hair. Model Chrissy Teigen called out Miss Teen USA in a tweet, saying, "Wow how can we choose from such a diverse bunch."

Wow how can we choose from such a diverse bunch https://t.co/0a4JHbP465
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) July 31, 2016

She wasn't the only person who noticed how similar the five finalists all looked. Fans quickly chimed in, as well. One tweeted, "Thought it was the same girl in 5 different poses," while another added, "Do they know it's the same girl five times."

@chrissyteigen thought it was the same girl in 5 different poses
— Snap: tleifert (@TiagoLeifert) July 31, 2016

@chrissyteigen @MissTeenUSA are they going to post the other 4 tomorrow?
— Dutchess (@CantReadMyJudas) July 31, 2016

@chrissyteigen @MissTeenUSA ?? they all the same girl I swear
— mia yeun (@ImActuallyMia) July 31, 2016

@ldrumhiller @chrissyteigen @MissTeenUSA Obviously the diversity comes in the different shades of tan. pic.twitter.com/eHJbCwrd1r
— Ryan Miller (@RMiller_20) July 31, 2016