Miss USA 2018 Sarah Rose Summers apologised on Thursday for mocking fellow Miss Universe contestants Miss Vietnam H'Hen Nie and Miss Cambodia Rern Sinat for not speaking English during the competition in Bangkok, Thailand. She had received a lot of flak for imitating them on a video on Miss Cambodia's Instagram page.
"Miss Universe is an opportunity for women from around the world to learn about each other's cultures, life experiences, and views. We all come from different backgrounds and can grow alongside one another," Summers said on Instagram.
"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," she added.
In the video, Summers had said in the presence of Miss Colombia Valeria Morales and Miss Australia Francesca Hung, "She's 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 goes."
Summers then turned to Miss Cambodia Rern Sinat and said, "Miss Cambodia is here and doesn't speak any English. ... Not a single person here speaks her language. Can you imagine? Francesca said that it would be very isolating, and I think yes and just confusing all the time."
According to TMZ, Summers faced an immediate backlash with many saying that Miss Universe was not a platform for bullying. Another comment said it is 'a shameful display of means poorly masked as empathy.'
One person likened them to the movie Mean Girls, saying, "So are you guys doing the MEAN GIRLS dance for talent show? #Racist."
