Miss Teen USA Karlie Hay Will Keep Her Crown Despite Alleged 'N-Word' Tweets
Miss Teen USA will be keeping her crown.
After past tweets surfaced that appear to show the pageant's newest winner, Texas' Karlie Hay, engaging in derogatory language – specifically, using the "n-word" -- on a private Twitter account, the Miss Universe Organization, which owns Miss Teen USA, issued a statement to ET disavowing the language, while not revoking Hay's title.
"The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of the Miss Universe Organization," the statement reads. "As Karlie stated, she was in a different place in her life and made a serious mistake she regrets and for which she sincerely apologizes."
"Karlie learned many lessons through those personal struggles that reshaped her life and values," the statement continues. "We as an organization are committed to supporting her continued growth."
On Sunday, Hay apologized for using "language publicly in the past which I am not proud of and that there is no excuse for."
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"I had many personal struggles and found myself in a place that is not representative of who I am as a person," Hay wrote on Instagram. "I am proud to say that I am today a better person."
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Watch the video below for more of Hay's response to her apparent past indiscretions.