The Miss USA beauty pageant will have some unusual contestants this year – and critics didn’t hold back.
The Miss Universe organization opened up the competition to all people that are recognized medically and legally as female in 2023, not genetically at birth. Women who are pregnant or have children and divorcees are also allowed to compete.
The winner of the Miss Maryland crown this week, Bailey Anne Kennedy, gained significant attention because she was born a man. At 31, the transgender Kennedy is older than the previous 28-year-old cutoff for the pageant. They identify as a “military wife” and competed for the Maryland crown as Miss Williamsport, MD USA.
Kennedy said they hope the win inspires children and “hopes that it will open up some doors, open up some hearts for people to see that there are many aspects of LGBT community out there and I hope I can be a positive contribution to society in making a difference like the USO program like I’m working with.”
Kennedy wasn’t the only unusual beauty pageant that will move on to represent their state and possibly country in the Miss Universe pageant – deep red Alabama also had an unconventional winner.
Sarak Milliken was named Miss Alabama despite reportedly weighing over 300 pounds.
Milliken is reportedly so large, she will need two airline seats to attend the Miss USA beauty pageant as The Heart of Dixie’s representative.
Take a look at how some conservative critics responded –
Miss Alabama is morbidly obese, and “Miss” Maryland is a man.
It is no longer a beauty pageant. It is the modern-day version of a “struggle session”. pic.twitter.com/rkiZI2RPXk
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) June 7, 2024
Milliken complained to Alabama televisions station WKRG that she was subjected to “cyberbullying” after being named Miss Alabama.
“Embracing and cheering on obesity is insane to me… Calling her beautiful is fine and good that’s all in the eye of the beholder,” one Facebook user wrote. “But let’s be honest with ourselves.. she’s extremely unhealthy and this is a slap in the face to the young girls who have worked hard and maintained a diet to actually be a beauty queen.”
“This should have been miss Jack in the Box winner,” another user wrote.
Milliken said the comments initially hurt, but being a morbidly obese beauty pageant queen put her in a position to “spread positivity” and she was happy to be named the winner of Miss Alabama.
The Miss USA winner will go on to advance to the Miss Universe contest.
The Miss Universe pageant has had a number of transgendered contestants, starting with Miss Spain’s Angela Pounce in 2018.