News - A pageant queen criticizes Miss America after losing a controversial crown competition.

Kayleigh Bush, a rising star in the beauty pageant circuit, once held Miss America in high regard. However, her recent tumultuous experience with the organization has left her disillusioned. On Capitol Hill, she expressed her discontent over a contract dispute that ultimately cost her the Miss North Florida crown. Crowned in a grand ceremony in September 2024, Kayleigh's reign was cut short just two months in after she declined to sign a Miss America contract. The disagreement centered on the organization's policy regarding the inclusion of transgender women, which Kayleigh felt conflicted with her personal beliefs. The contract in question demanded participants endorse and compete alongside transgender women. Kayleigh’s refusal to comply on these grounds led Miss America to rescind her title, a decision that has not only sparked public debate but also ignited Kayleigh's new campaign for clarity and respect in the pageant world. Now wearing the "Miss She Leads America" crown, Kayleigh holds firm in her advocacy, bolstered by support from a growing base of backers. Despite the personal setback, she remains vocal and committed to raising questions about what it truly means to represent women in today's pageantry. This saga not only highlights the evolving landscape of beauty pageants but also raises larger questions about inclusion and the definitions that guide prestigious institutions like Miss America.