Former Miss Americas, including some shamed in emails by the pageant’s CEO, are calling on him and other organization leaders to resign.
Three former title holders who were targeted for abuse in emails to and from of Miss America Organization CEO Sam Haskell say the group’s leadership needs to be replaced.
Haskell, a former executive vice-president for Hollywood’s William Morris Agency, exchanged offensive emails with others in the Miss America Organization about past winners’ appearance, intellect and sex lives. (Mel Evans/Associated Press)
Mallory Hagan’s appearance and sex life were mocked in the emails. She won the 2013 competition.
Pageant officials wrote that when one former Miss America died, they wished it had been another former Miss America, Kate Shindle, instead.
And they also mocked former winner Gretchen Carlson.
Bravery awards to @ItsMalloryHagan @AEAPresident @reginahopper #BrentAdams for Being Fierce about @MissAmericaOrg – today my heart is also with @MissAmerica Cara Mund to stay strong – u didn’t ask for this – we have your back as former Miss Americas! #MissAmerica #MeToo
As a former who was blackballed after calling SH out about the way he spoke about my mom in an e-mail none of this surprises me. This is why I always stood beside @ItsMalloryHagan& offered my stories of mistreatment to @kateshindle when she wrote her book #FireSamHaskell
Erika Harold’s statement regarding the recently published emails attributed to Miss America Organization leaders: pic.twitter.com/PlbFenQHFA
The board is just going to stand by? I didn’t dedicate YEARS of my life to an organization I THOUGHT empowered women for this @MissAmericaOrg I am honestly appalled, embarrassed, and disgusted. We deserve better, and @ItsMalloryHagan certainly deserves better #firesamhaskell https://t.co/AcwNYSm2IX
The Huffington Post reported Thursday on the emails, which it says it received from two sources.
The Miss America Organization says Haskell has apologized to the board for his comments, adding it considers the matter closed.
The pageant’s entertainment partner, Dick Clark Productions, announced Thursday it would no longer produce the event.
5. @dickclarkprod just issued this statement confirming my reporting. They obtained some of the same emails I did months ago. They presented them to the board and current board of Miss America did nothing.
Link to my story: https://t.co/fyv26kDt55 pic.twitter.com/ypcSqZXVMn
— @yashar