The newly crowned Miss Teen USA 2016 is facing a whirlpool of controversy and hullabaloo, as the beauty faces an alleged history of racist tweets. Hours after the 18 years old beauty from Texas was named the winner, news about her old tweets featuring the N-word from Hay's now-private personal account started surfacing everywhere.
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Karlie quickily jumped on to Twitter at the pageant's @RealMissTXteen account to come up with her side of the story. “I admit that I have used language publicly in the past which I am not proud of and that there is no excuse for," Hay tweeted. "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 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."
Karlie Hay Miss Teen USA 2016
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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. 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. "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."
The Miss Universe Organization which is the parent Organisation of Miss Teen USA, called Hay's language "unacceptable", but also stood by her. "The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of The Miss Universe Organization," the statement read. "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. 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."
What’s your take on the whole controversy?
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