Miss Teen USA winner Karlie Hay apologizes for racist tweets, will keep crown

The newly-crowned Miss Teen USA, Karlie Hay, will keep her title despite having admitted to a slew of racist and profanity-laced tweets.

The 18-year-old from Texas won the competition on Saturday, July 30, but soon after beating out 50 other ladies some her past tweets, in which she used offensive language, surfaced.

Screenshots of Hay’s tweets filled with curse words and the N-word circulated online creating a firestorm of controversy. She later apologized for using such language.

“A few years ago, I used language that is inexcusable, and I sincerely apologize for my actions,” she said via social media. “Through hard work, education, maturity 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 the Miss Teen USA platform to promote messages of confidence, inclusion and perseverance.”

Still, many called for her crown to be taken away. However, pageant officials issued a statement describing her tweets as “unacceptable,” but revealed that she would not be stripped of her title.

“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,” the statement read. “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.”