Jezebel: Miss Usa

Watch Miss USA Hopefuls Awkwardly Dance Around The Evolution Issue

Whitney Jefferson — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:02:00 EDT

During their pre-pageant questioning, each of the potential Miss USAs were asked a simple question: "Should evolution be taught in schools?" Here are their trimmed-down, wishy washy answers. More »

New Miss USA Is Down With Medicinal Marijuana

Whitney Jefferson — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:11:00 EDT

When it came down to the final two ladies vying for the Miss USA crown, the two remaining contestants, Miss Tennessee and Miss California embraced, letting co-hosts Andy Cohen and Guiliana Rancic know that for at least the next 10 seconds, they were BFFs. Then Miss California, 21-year-old Alyssa Campanella, won and that was the end of that. More »

A New Blonde Has Moved Into Hugh Hefner's Bedroom

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EDT

Rebound! Hef is dating a new Playboy model, 25-year-old Anna Sophia Berglund. She was Playmate of The Month in January, and you will find this absolutely shocking, but she is blonde. Apparently she and Hef are already calling each other "babe," although it's possible that from time to time she may slip up and call him "bank." She's moved into Hef's room, and on movie night, they were seen kissing and cuddling. I almost typed "curdling," which somehow also seems possible. [Showbiz Spy, TMZ] More »

Evolution Questions Terrify Beauty Queens

Jenna Sauers — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EDT

The annual Miss USA pageant has concocted a vile plan to embarrass, panic, and frighten pageant hopefuls: stocking the audience with homosexual-agenda-supporting folks from the Human Rights Campaign, and asking the contestants really hard questions, like whether they believe evolution should be taught in schools. And about nude photos — oh horrors! There are rumors that the pageant is seeking, via these nefarious means, to create the perfect storm in which to brew what insiders refer to as "a Carrie Prejean moment." More »

Even Beauty Queens Can Become Homeless

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:45:00 EST

One month after being crowned Miss Colorado USA, Blair Griffith and her mother were evicted from their home and have been living with a family friend. The 23-year-old was on Today this morning to share her experience, and tell others that anyone is susceptible to falling into similar circumstances, as she's made homelessness awareness one of her causes. While her story of financial hardship is a sad one—beginning nine years ago with the death of her father, followed by her mother's heart attack, the family's eviction, and the news that Griffith will soon lose her job at a retail store that's closing—I can't help but think that this is more of a cautionary tale than a relateable one. Despite the fact that Griffith and her mother have been struggling financially for nearly a decade, they didn't stop pursuing that crown, an expensive endeavor. It reminded me a lot of some situations we see on Toddlers & Tiaras where parents go into debt in order to afford the costs of competing in glitz pageants instead of setting aside money for their daughters' education or a rainy day. Ultimately, Griffith thinks it's worth it, as being a contestant in the Miss USA pageant has been her dream for years. But I'm not buying the whole slant that her story is "inspirational." Maybe I'm just frugal like that. More »

Miss New York Totally Crashes Miss USA's Float During Thanksgiving Day Parade

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 16:23:00 EST

Miss New York Davina Reeves boarded Miss USA Rima Fakih's float while wearing her crown and sash and remained on board the vessel until handlers convinced her to disembark from the float. Drop Dead Gorgeous is real. More »

China Throws Miss World Pageant Over Nobel Dispute

Margaret Hartmann — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:53:00 EDT

American Alexandria Mills' Miss World win in China on Saturday has been tainted with speculation that favorite Miss Norway lost because judges are furious that Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo won the Nobel Peace Prize. Surely, the Nobel committee is devastated. More »

Miss Universe Contestants Pose Topless, Feminists Rejoice

Katy Kelleher — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:46:00 EDT

Miss Universe contestants recently posed topless, covered in body paint. Naturally, some people are quite upset. But I happen to think this is a good thing. More »

A Closer Look At The Eating Habits Of A Beauty Queen

Katy Kelleher — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:50:00 EDT

Miss USA recently spent a week cataloging everything she ate for Grub Street. We thought it might be interesting to look at this — so what did the most beautiful girl in the nation consume? More »

Miss America To Air On ABC, Pageant Officials Get Bitchy

Katy Kelleher — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:20:00 EDT

"No little girl walks around saying, 'I want to be Miss USA when I grow up.' She says, 'I want to be Miss America,'" said the chairman of the Miss America Organization about the rival Trump-sponsored pageant. [AP] More »

The Grand Tour

Anna Holmes — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:10:00 EDT

[New York, May 19. Image via Pacific Coast News]

Today In Ridiculous Responses To Miss USA Rima Fakih

Irin Carmon — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:00:00 EDT

Hezbollah. Alexis de Tocqueville. Poledancing. What do they have in common? They have all been invoked to discuss Miss USA Rima Fakih. Donald Trump, you PR genius. More »

Family Ties

Anna Holmes — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:10:00 EDT

[Srifa, Lebanon; May 17. Image via AP]

Miss USA's Bigot Backlash And Stripping Scandal Begins Now!

Irin Carmon — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:30:55 EDT

Hours into her Miss USA tenure, Rima Fakih has her first (low-grade) scandal: a "Stripper 101" crown in college. Meanwhile, creative right-wing haters are implying, in more ways than one, that she won because of a pro-Muslim, pro-immigrant conspiracy. More »

Miss USA Officials Publish "Sexy" Photos • Sunday School Teacher Pleads Guilty For First-Degree Murder

Katy Kelleher — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:40:00 EDT

Unlike Miss America, Donald Trump's Miss USA pageants are pretty honest about what they're looking for: conventionally attractive young women with a talent for walking in heels. However, the newest addition to the Miss USA website has caused some controversy. More »

Ton If By Land, Chew If By Sea

Anna Holmes — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:10:00 EDT

[New York, April 13. Image via Getty]

Carrie Prejean Spreads The Blame After Being Stripped Of Title

Katy Kelleher — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Poor Carrie Prejean. No matter how she tries to spin it, things are not looking so hot for the grammatically-challenged former beauty queen. More »

Shanna Moakler: Celebrity Portentous

Anna Holmes — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:10:00 EDT

[New York, May 12. Image via Getty]

Carrie Prejean Keeps Miss California Title

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:30:00 EDT

Carrie Prejean gave a really long speech at a press conference today during which Donald Trump said she will retain her title of Miss California. She repeatedly referred to Perez Hilton as "Judge #8." More »

Who Needs A Scholarship When You Can Get Sponsored Breasts?

Megan Carpentier — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:00:00 EDT

The Miss California USA organization paid for Miss California Carrie Prejean's new breasts to allow her to compete "in the best possible confidence." Who knew self esteem came in a plastic bag of silicone? More »

Shanna Moakler Confirms Carrie Prejean's Breasts Were Paid For By Pageant

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EDT

Shanna Moakler, Co-Executive Director of the Miss California Organization, has confirmed that the pageant paid for Miss California Carrie Prejean's breast implants.

The Beauty & The Blogger Make Beastly Representatives

Margaret Hartmann — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT

Although the recent Miss USA/gay marriage debacle the media has offered both Perez Hilton and Carrie Prejean the opportunity to continue discussing the issue, neither should be a spokesperson for either side of the debate. More »

No Exclusive On Heidi & Spencer's Wedding Pix

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EDT

El oh el: It appears none of the celebrity weeklies have bought exclusive rights to pictures of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt's wedding this weekend.

Celebrity Missives About Miss California Make Us Wish For World Peace

Margaret Hartmann — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EDT

The world has heard enough of Perez Hilton and Carrie Prejean's war of words, but "celebs" feel obliged to weigh in! So, here's a rundown of where everyone stands, from Britney to Miss USA herself. More »

War Of Words: Miss California Vs. Perez Hilton

Megan Carpentier — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT

Carrie Prejean reportedly lost the Miss USA pageant on Sunday because of her views on same-sex marriage. But thanks to blogger and pageant judge Perez Hilton's rants, we all lose. More »

Miss California Gossips About Fellow Pageant Contestant

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:40:00 EDT

Miss California Carrie Prejean made headlines for expressing her views on gay marriage. In this clip, from the Miss USA website, she talks shit on another pageant contestant with her friend, Miss Hawaii. More »

Miss California Doesn't "Believe" In Gay Marriage ("No Offense")

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Last night's Miss USA pageant: judge Perez Hilton poses a question to Miss California, Carrie Prejean, about gay marriage. Prejean responds, "We live in a land where we can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage." More »

Jessica Simpson Prettifies Pageant Contestants; Jason Wu Hearts Michelle Obama

Sadie Stein — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EDT

A match made...somewhere. Miss USA contestants will be sporting barely-there bikinis from the Jessica Simpson collection. [NYDN]
The nebbish-weight cage match between Woody and Dov continues, as Allen decries the jersey-meister's "rep-tarnish" tactics. [NYP]

America has proved once again that its citizens...

Maria — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:45:00 EDT

America has proved once again that its citizens cannot sashay: At yesterday's Miss Universe 2008 pageant, Miss USA, Crystle Stewart, became the second Miss USA contestant in as many years to take a tumble during the eveningwear competition. Stewart, 26, is a motivational speaker from Texas who is currently writing a book and plans to open a character-development school for young children. The pageant's top title went to Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, who says she is going to use the experience of a recent kidnapping to promote world peace. [CBS News] More »

Lindsay Lohan & Sam Ronson: Living Together?

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EDT

Sam Ronson has "practically moved in" with Lindsay Lohan and "spends every night at Lindsay's" in an effort to "keep her out of trouble"? LOL! Lezbe friends — breast friends! [Page Six]

Newly-Crowned Miss USA Makes Kids Cry

Jennifer — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EDT

Newly crowned Miss USA Crystle Stewart dropped by Live! With Regis and Kelly this morning to discuss her win on Friday night and the way she tried to teach the other contestants about dedication and perseverance. Stewart says she also tries to spread the message of female empowerment to young girls through a business involving themed children's birthday parties. I'm not exactly sure how "Pageant Parties" and "Supermodel Parties" teach girls to love themselves and believe in who they are — especially since, as Stewart says, the Pageant Parties always end in tears — but whatever. Clip above. More »

Live Bloggin'

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Join us tonight at 9 pm Eastern for our liveblog of the Miss USA pageant. Then on Sunday, at 9 pm Eastern, we're gonna live blog the Rock of Love 2 finale. Who will Bret chose to continue to rock his world!? Only time will tell. More »

'Miss USA' Marketers: Watch This Pageant Cuz Pretty Chicks Are Idiots!

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:30:00 EDT

It's taken us a while to get around to this, but the new commercial for the Miss USA pageant — airing on NBC on April 11 — is sort of a mindfuck. Instead of sweeping previous embarrassing moments under the rug, NBC is embracing them and encouraging TV watchers to tune in because they might just see a beautiful woman slip and fall on her ass, or babble on about "the Iraq." Such as. Sure, they use the tagline, "Anything can happen — because it's live", but really, they're gleefully humiliating and mocking the girls who participate as well as their own damn programming. Correct me if I'm wrong. Clip above. More »

Miss France Feels Heat; Miss USA The Next James Frey

Jennifer — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST

Pageant contestants never cease to be reliable sources of diva debauchery/ inevitable redemption. The latest tale of beauty queens gone wild comes courtesy of Miss France, 22-year old Valerie Begue. Having just won her title three weeks ago, Begue is battling criticism following the release of the inevitable "sexy" photos making their way around the Internets. (One photo, oddly enough, features Begue "licking what appeared to be yogurt or evaporated milk." Shades of Miss New Jersey!) Perhaps she could use some advice from former Miss USA Tara Conner? Conner, who, in 2006, was caught doing lines and chugging 40's like it was nobody's business and given a "second chance" by Miss USA pageant-owner Trump, has just signed a lucrative book deal for a memoir on her time in rehab, she announced this morning. More »

'Pageant Place': Miss Teen USA Has Gas

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:30:00 EDT

MTV's Beauty Queens: Fun, Ditsy, And Vindictive

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:30:00 EDT

More Proof That The Japanese Do Everything Better

Anna Holmes — Tue, 29 May 2007 10:45:37 EDT

'Miss America' On Last Educated, Mystic Tanned Legs, But America's Pursuit Of Well-Rounded Ideal Persists

Moe — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 12:12:05 EDT

When the Miss America Pageant, ditched by Viacom owned CMT, finally goes the way of Elle Girl — online only (but so Web 2.0!) — some, like Nashville's Ralph Emery, may see it as a blow to that "little piece of Americana" that is the promotion of lofty goals (scholarship) alongside loftier ones (swimsuit-wearing!) More »