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KENYA MOORE SPEAKS ON MISS USA SCANDAL: Former title holder says Trump is sending the wrong message.
In 1993 Moore was crowned Miss USA, the second African-American to hold the title. She described her year as the pageant winner as one where she was flanked by a chaperone at all times. Well times, they are a changing. The current Miss USA, Tara Conner, was close to being bumped due to underage drinking, excessive partying and alleged cocaine use. However, to Moore’s chagrin, Trump decided to give Conner a second chance.
“I can’t really make that call as to whether he made the right decision, but I feel he made a compassionate decision instead of the bare bones of the decision he should have made. I think by giving this current Miss USA a opportunity to keep her crown after such harsh behavior – allegedly doing illicit drugs and having this party girl behavior –she’s pretty much getting a slap on her wrist,” she said.
But Moore continued that she’s a little concerned and confused as to how just a few years ago, Trump was poised to fire Miss Universe for gaining 20 lbs., “But here’s a woman who’s being accused of doing cocaine and doing all this other stuff, that is even illegal, but he’s not even considering firing her. It’s just kind of disproportionate to me that it would even be a question that she should be able to keep her crown.”
As to giving Conner a second chance, Moore says she’s had her chance and has lost it. She says that the goals and image of the pageant and organization were sullied.
“What the crown stands for is a woman who holds a certain moral standard, who is an inspiration to young girls, who is a role model. Why give her this chance at this stage? Perhaps let her build her life and redeem herself on her own time – I don’t think while she’s Miss USA.”
In light of this issue, some have questioned the standards of pageants, calling them too stringent and outdated. To that, Moore says that it’s all tradition, and it should be honored. Furthermore, she said, it is clear to contestants what is required of them so the level of standard should be no surprise and the contract Miss USA agrees to is rather straightforward, too.
“When you become a Miss USA or you sign any type of endorsement deal or become an employee of the Miss Universe Organization, you sign a morality clause in your contract basically saying you will not bring disrepute, you will not bring scandal, and you will not bring these type of issues to the organization on behalf or yourself or the sponsors involved,” she explained.
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Kenya Moore is crowned Miss USA in 1993
Moore brought up the point that other celebrities, and particularly one of the most pageant winners – Vanessa Williams, were judged much more harshly.
“When any other celebrity comes under fire, like Kobe [Bryant] or other people, for morality issues, they are dealt a severe hand. [Conner is] someone who willingly took the position of being a role model. Some people are role models and they didn’t intend to be… but Miss USA, you go in the pageant knowing that you have to meet certain requirements and that you have to be legally bound to a morality clause. If someone breaks that, and it is proven, then why wouldn’t her punishment be sufficient to the crime.”
The fact that Williams was dethroned as Miss America 1984 and that the current Miss USA runner up is an African-American, Miss California Tamiko Nash, Moore doesn’t dance around the racial connotations the decision may have.
“It’s unfortunate because we still live in America. We still live in a racially [divided] climate, she said. “When Vanessa [Williams] went through certain things in her life and it was found out during her reign, she was dealt a very severe hand. So now you have this blonde, blue-eyed girl who has done, a very scandalous – even illegal thing, yet she gets a slap on the wrist. I’m all for somebody being given a second chance, no one is perfect. But why is it you can’t be a good role model for 365 days? And if you don’t draw the line at illegal activity, where do you draw the line?”
Moore said that she wishes Conner well, but disagreed with the decision.
“I hope she does get her life together,” Moore encouragingly said. “I think she was very sincere and her apology was heartfelt. I believed everything she said when she thanked Mr. Trump for giving her a second chance. I just happen to think he’s sending the wrong message by not firing her.”
HEAR a portion of Kenya's comments HERE.
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