Miss
USA has apologized after comments she made about two fellow Miss
Universe contestants' English-language abilities, sparked backlash
online. In a live Instagram video, 24-year-old contestant Sarah Rose
Summers said that Miss Vietnam H'Hen Nie is "so cute and she pretends to
know so much English and then you ask her a question after having a
whole conversation with her and she (nods and smiles)." Summers, who was
joined in the video by Miss Colombia, Valeria Morales and Miss
Australia, Francesca Hung, was attending the Miss Universe pageant in
Thailand, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday in Bangkok. Later on in
the video Summers appeared to express sympathy for Miss Cambodia, Rern
Sinat, who she said, "doesn't speak any English and not a single other
person speaks her language." "Can you imagine? Francesca (Miss
Australia) said that would be so isolating and I said yes and just
confusing all the time," Summers said. "Poor Cambodia." The comments
have sparked criticism online, with some calling Summers' words
"xenophobic" and "condescending." Responding to the backlash in an
Instagram post today, Summers said that Miss Universe was "an
opportunity for women from around the world to learn about each other's
cultures, life experiences, and views.""In a moment where I intended to
admire the courage of a few of my sisters, I said something that I now
realize can be perceived as not respectful, and I apologize.My life,
friendships, and career revolve around me being a compassionate and
empathetic woman. I would never intend to hurt another. I am grateful
for opportunities to speak with Nat, Miss Cambodia, and H'Hen, Miss
Vietnam, directly about this experience.These are the moments that
matter most to me" Summers said, alongside a photo of her embracing her
fellow contestants.Miss USA forced to apologize for comments she made about the English-speaking abilities of two fellow Miss Universe contestants
Miss
USA has apologized after comments she made about two fellow Miss
Universe contestants' English-language abilities, sparked backlash
online. In a live Instagram video, 24-year-old contestant Sarah Rose
Summers said that Miss Vietnam H'Hen Nie is "so cute and she pretends to
know so much English and then you ask her a question after having a
whole conversation with her and she (nods and smiles)." Summers, who was
joined in the video by Miss Colombia, Valeria Morales and Miss
Australia, Francesca Hung, was attending the Miss Universe pageant in
Thailand, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday in Bangkok. Later on in
the video Summers appeared to express sympathy for Miss Cambodia, Rern
Sinat, who she said, "doesn't speak any English and not a single other
person speaks her language." "Can you imagine? Francesca (Miss
Australia) said that would be so isolating and I said yes and just
confusing all the time," Summers said. "Poor Cambodia." The comments
have sparked criticism online, with some calling Summers' words
"xenophobic" and "condescending." Responding to the backlash in an
Instagram post today, Summers said that Miss Universe was "an
opportunity for women from around the world to learn about each other's
cultures, life experiences, and views.""In a moment where I intended to
admire the courage of a few of my sisters, I said something that I now
realize can be perceived as not respectful, and I apologize.My life,
friendships, and career revolve around me being a compassionate and
empathetic woman. I would never intend to hurt another. I am grateful
for opportunities to speak with Nat, Miss Cambodia, and H'Hen, Miss
Vietnam, directly about this experience.These are the moments that
matter most to me" Summers said, alongside a photo of her embracing her
fellow contestants.
