Being a beauty queen is not just about fame and success, it is also about being a dedicated and responsible citizen who is followed religiously around the world. The pageantry world is full of divas working wholeheartedly with sincerity and dedication but it has a dark side too.
In the United States of America, too, there have been a few beauty queens who have had a controversial life with their notorious acts. Let us take a look at the five most controversial beauty queens from the United States of America.
Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010
Rima Fakih from Michigan won Miss USA 2010 on 16th May 2010 made history as the first Arab-American. Rima was at a risk of losing her title later when she presented her country in the Miss Universe pageant as a website featured a 2007 'Stripper 101' online video of a pole dancing contest won by the former Miss Michigan. She was not only denied a spot in the top 15 but was also blocked out of the competition.
Later in 2011, Rima was ordered to stand trial on a drunken driving charge in the Detroit enclave of Highland Park.
As of now, the beauty queen recently became the National Director for Miss Universe Lebanon.
Vanessa Williams, Miss America 1984
Vanessa Williams became the first African-American recipient of Miss America 1984 title. However, a few weeks prior to the end of her reign, a scandal arose leading to her unfortunate resignation due to the pressure from the Miss America Organisation. Apparently, The Penthouse magazine was going to publish her unauthorized nude photographs in an upcoming issue.
Thirty-two years later, in 2016, she has issued a public apology by Miss America CEO Sam Haskell as she was invited to be one of the judges in Miss America 2016.
Today, Vanessa is a successful actor, singer and fashion designer has worked in famous shows such as Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives.
Tara Connor, Miss USA 2006
The poster child of the most 'Controversial beauty queen ever' Tara Elizabeth Connor was crowned Miss USA 2006 and went on to represent her country in Miss Universe 2006 where she was announced as 4th runner-up.
Things fell apart for the beauty queen as she was the centre of a public scandal after she was caught drinking underage, using cocaine, and kissing Miss Teen USA Katie Blair at a New York nightclub. Fortunately, she was allowed to keep her title on one condition if she entered a drug rehabilitation program.
Since her fallout, Tara has worked as an advocate for drug addiction.
Kumari Fulbright, Miss Arizona 2005 contestant
Kumari Fulbright is probably one of the most controversial contestants who has participated in any beauty pageant. She participated in Miss Arizona 2005 and won quite a few subtitles in the competition. However, in a shocking turn of events, she was sentenced to prison for two years and six years’ probation. She was put behind bars on the charge of orchestrating the kidnapping and torturing of her ex-boyfriend.
Today, Kumari has mended her ways and spends time with her family, wishing for nothing other than peace.
Carrie Prejean, Miss California 2009
Carrie Prejan is a model who was crowned Miss California 2009 and was also the first runner-up in Miss USA 2009. Carrie’s answer to Perez Hilton’s question on gay marriages in every American state at Miss USA 2009 cost her the crown.
Carrie answered, “Marriage should only be between a man and a woman” trying to play it safe but Perez HIlton later commented, "She gave the worst answer in the pageant history".
As if it was not enough to trouble for Carrie, nude photos of Carrie as a teenager along with a sex tape with her boyfriend surfaced online.
