The newly crowned Miss Teen USA, Karlie Hay, is already facing controversy just a few days into her reign.<\/p>\n
Users on Twitter\u00a0pointed out\u00a0a\u00a0series of insensitive tweets Hay posted in 2013 that included\u00a0offensive language and\u00a0the N-word (which she has since deleted). Hay issued an apology on Twitter<\/a>:<\/p>\n Several years ago, I had many personal struggles and found myself\u00a0in a place that is not representative of who I am as a person. I admit that I have used language publicly in the past which I am not proud of and that there is no excuse for. Through hard work,\u00a0education and thanks in large part to the sisterhood that I have come to know through pageants, I am proud to say that\u00a0I am today a better person. I am honored to hold this title and I will use this platform to promote the values of\u00a0The Miss Universe Organization, and my own, that recognize the confidence, beauty and perseverance of all women.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Additionally, the Miss Universe Organization is standing by their pick, and said in a statement to Refinery29<\/a>\u00a0that they “are committed to supporting her continued growth” even though the language she used was unacceptable.<\/p>\n