Newly crowned Miss Teen USA criticised for racist tweets [VIDEO]
Karlie Hay, 18, receives online bashing shortly after her coronation
Miss Teen USA 2016 Karlie Hay received accusations of racism after she received the crown on July 30 in Las Vegas. Miss Texas was discovered of using racial slurs on her Twitter account.
Instead of receiving warm welcomes and congratulatory statements, Hay was criticised of using the n-word in many of her past tweets. People who searched for her Twitter profile then called her out for it.
Just saw someone defending the use of the N word by Miss Teen USA by dismissively replying "boy bye." Even racists wanna use black slang.
GABY DUNN (@gabydunn) August 1, 2016
Why would they strip a racist white girl of her Miss Teen USA title? She's literally the perfect example of what America's really about
hyman (@planetplayboy) July 31, 2016
Really hope they take away Miss Teen USA's crown for those racist tweets. Or better yet just stop having beauty pageants altogether.
Christine Sydelko (@csydelko) July 31, 2016
"If you win any pageant - first things first. Clean up your page. Because if you're under 21, you shouldn't be drinking and if you're white, the N-word ain't your word," former Miss Teen USA Kamie Crawford posted on Twitter.
If u win any pageant - first things first. Clean up ur page. Cus if ur under 21 u shouldn't b drinking&if ur WHITE the n word ain't yo word!
— Kamie Crawford (@TheRealKamie) July 31, 2016
Hay's Twitter profile has since been set to private. However, users who have dug up her past tweets posted screenshots.
miss teen usa caught! pic.twitter.com/3mXEjm0aCy
️ (@httpzouwee) July 31, 2016
Here's the winner of #MissTeenUSA pic.twitter.com/L0volbvEmW
josh (@VaultJosh) July 31, 2016
"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," Hay responded to the accusations in a Twitter post. "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, 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," the Texas-born candidate tweeted on Sunday.
It is unknown whether the Miss Teen USA organisation will take action against Hay regarding the acclaimed racist tweets. Their decision is yet to be made, according to Mic.
After the coronation, Hay had an interview with E! Online. The American teen queen said that she wished to be a successful businesswoman who helps people who are suffering from alcohol and drug abuse.
WATCH: Karlie Hay is crowned Miss Teen USA 2016
