(Image Source: NBC )

 

BY KERRY LEARY

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

 

The former Miss Pennsylvania claims this year’s Miss USA contest was rigged. Sheena Monnin told the Today Show why she thought the beauty pageant turned ugly.

 

“An injustice has been done not only to the other people who weren’t in the top five, but to the thousands of pageant girls across the nation who compete, believing this is an honest system as I did for nine years.”

 

Monnin resigned from her title Monday morning... less than 24 hours after Miss Rhode Island was crowned Miss USA. She claims the top five contestants were pre-determined. WCAU reports:

 

“She says a fellow contestant told her she found a list of the top five contestants before Sunday’s program. Monnin says that contestant’s claim proved true when the top five were announced live on the air.”

 

Donald Trump, co-owner of Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, isn’t taking these allegations lightly. He spoke on the phone with Good Morning America.

 

Trump: “Yeah, we are going to sue her because she made a very false charge and she knows she made a false charge. She suffers from a thing called loser’s remorse. She lost.”

 

Trump told Good Morning America she should apologize and that the Miss USA Pageant investigated the claims. Monnin claimed Miss Florida saw the names. Trump said she’s denying that ever happened. A blog called the Pageant Guy compiled tweets from different pageant queens in response to Monnin’s statements.

 

Miss USA 2010 tweeted: “Miss Pennsylvania 2012 so u didn’t win or place in Miss USA last night but don’t u dare disrespect my organization! Maybe that’s y u lost.”

Miss USA 2002 tweeted: “Tisk tisk MISSPAUSA2012.. shouldve taken ur rebellious stand b4 competing. Throwing a Toddler&Tiara fit after not placing makes u look bitter.”

Miss Teen USA 2012 tweeted: “Is Miss PA USA 2012 real life????? My response to her resignation...... SEE YA. Sore losers block their own blessings at the end of the day.”

 

According to CNN, Pageant officials believe the real reason Monnin quit is because she opposed competing against transgender contestants allowed in the pageant for the first time this year.