In the clip at left, Naumoska says she flew all the way from Australia to appear on GMA because she wants to defend all the slender people who are victimized by what Sawyer calls "skinnyism." Naumoska explains, "I think that a role model shouldn't be judged by their appearance but rather by their actions or their lifestyle." Obviously, it's hypocritical for someone who was being ranked based on how she looks in a swimsuit to complain that people shouldn't be judged by their appearance. However, whether Naumoska is healthy or not, Sawyer holding a plate up to the camera so America could analyze exactly what she puts in her mouth made our skin crawl.

Earlier: Outraged Aussies Say Miss Universe Contestant Is "Skin And Bones"

Stephanie Naumoska, 19, was one of 32 women competing in the pageant on Wednesday. Naumoska is 5'11 and weighs 108 pounds, which means her BMI is 15, reports Reuters. The Australian Medical Association is calling for the contest to impose a minimum BMI cut-off of 20. But pageant director Deborah Miller claims Naumoska has a "Macedonian body type," which accounts for her thinness. "They have long, lithe bodies and small bones. It is their body type, just like Asian girls tend to be small," Miller said. Nutritionist Susie Burrell insists that there is no such thing as a "Macedonian body type," saying, 'There is no evidence published anywhere to back up that assertion."

Naumoska was eliminated from the competition last night after appearing in a red string bikini in the swimsuit competition. She said she's very hurt and upset by the controversy, according to The Daily Mail. She said:

'I think that it's horrible... they don't know me, and they don't know what I eat every morning or for lunch or dinner,' she told Australia's Channel Nine.

'They probably think that I don't eat anything, but I do.

'I also think that it's very unfair just to all the other girls out there who have the same body as myself.'

The newly crowned Miss Universe Australia, Rachael Finch, is defending Naumoska, reports News.com.au. "It has been a little overwhelming but I've been saying that Steph is an amazingly nice girl who happens to have a thin figure," she said. "Some girls are just naturally thin and Stephanie is exactly that."

Finch added that she is writing a book for girls who want to build a career in modeling that will emphasize healthy eating. She will compete in the Miss Universe world finals in August.

Miss Universe Australia In "Skinny" Controversy [Reuters]
'Malnourished' Miss Universe Finalist Who Is Just 'Skin And Bones' [The Daily Mail]
New Miss Universe Australia Stands Up For Skinny Stephanie [News.com.au]

When the pageant first started, over fifteen years ago, the inmates had no supplies. The winner made her dress out of plastic bags from the prison kitchen. Now the women are allowed to use hairspray, lipstick, nail polish — stuff not usually allowed in the prison. The pageant is the subject of a BBC Two special program which airs tonight. There's something poignant about incarcerated women getting to feel special — even if just for one day. But these women are criminals. And does the pageant emphasize the sexist idea that a woman is only valuable if she is pretty? Or is it worth it to have a much-needed bright spot in a drab, imprisoned Siberian existence?

Siberian Prison's Beauty Pageant [BBC]

Times have changed! And while we have all kinds of televised competitions — Survivor, ANTM, uh, American Gladiators — we're still attached to the idea of pitting our states against one another and declaring which has produced the prettiest, most talented young woman. And the categories! The swimsuit competition pays homage to the contest's origins, but is it really necessary to force these women to strut around half-naked? What does the "evening gown" competition prove? And "talents" like dancing and singing are great, but wouldn't it be amazing if someone entered a photo essay as their "talent"? Or translated a passage of Ancient Greek? Or, you know, installed a wireless router? I would be so proud of Miss New York if she could name the nine muses or figure out how to get from the Upper West Side to the Lower East Side in under twenty minutes. Aren't there other awesome, modern talents these girls would be better off exhibiting?

Miss America Pageant Mocks Contestants [CNN]
Earlier: Miss America Contestants Continue To Shock & Awe Us With Their "Talents"
Miss America Contestants Stun Us With Their "Talents"
Miss DC Laments Being Too "Pale" For Chocolate City