The 69th edition of Miss USA i.e., Miss USA 2020 was held on 9th November 2020 at the Exhibition Centre and the Soundstage at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee where Miss Mississippi USA 2020 Asya Danielle Branch was crowned the new queen and earned the opportunity to represent USA at Miss Universe 2020. Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst crowned her successor in a made-for-TV moment complete with plenty of tears and a Mouawad-designed crown decked out in diamonds and rubies.
The diva has issued a public apology in reference to a homophobic tweet she tweeted in 2012 against the LGBTQ community. She took to her social media and stated, “Thank you all so much for your love and support these past few days. As I begin this incredible new chapter in my life, I first want to take moment to sincerely apologize for language I used in a tweet eight years ago. As a 13-year-old, I did not fully understand the meaning of the word or the pain it can cause, and I am deeply sorry. As someone who has experienced hate and prejudice firsthand, I would never want my words or actions to hurt anyone. Thankfully, we are not defined by the words of our 13-year-old-selves. I am, and always will be, an ally for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Asya also stated that as Miss USA 2020 she looks forward to represent the country at Miss Universe 2020 stage with only love, positivity, and kindness. She wants to work with everyone regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or political party. The diva who is the first black Miss Mississippi USA 2020 mentioned that she only wants to use her platform to make the country better place to live in and nothing else. She thanked everyone who had supported her throughout her journey and expect them to stick by her side until the Miss Universe 2020 competition.
The diva also received some backlash from the pageant fanatics and was labelled as Trump supporter as she was a part of a Trump rally and event at the White House. She cleared that rumor out by mentioning that she was under obligation with the Miss Mississippi Corp. She stated, “And I know I caught a lot of backlash for that. But no one knows if that has anything to do with my political beliefs or not. I did have a duty as an employee of the Miss Mississippi Corp. as well as a representative of the state of Mississippi.”
As for attending the event at the White House, she said, “If you can’t get a seat at the table, you can’t make a difference. I found that to be an inspiring and moving moment for me because it shows that I can accomplish things and I can accomplish my goals and really make a difference in the world.”
The public apology and the clarification on both the incidents by Miss USA 2020 Asya Branch have been praised by fellow delegates and pageant fanatics. They have mentioned that what she tweeted at the age of 13 was something she had no idea about and now the fact that she is owning up to that mistakes says a lot about her character. People have appreciated her effort to make things right as a queen who will be representing them at Miss Universe 2020 stage.