Miss Montana Heather Lee O'Keefe has claimed that the Miss USA 2022 beauty pageant won by Fil-Am beauty queen Miss Texas R'Bonney Gabriel, 28, of Houston, was rigged.
In an exclusive interview with Dailymail.com, O'Keefe slammed the organization for using her and other contestants as 'puppets' to showboat the 'predetermined winner.'
"I feel like, and a lot of other contestants feel like, they had already predetermined the winner. We were just there as puppets to put on this show for them to make it seem like there was a pageant. That's how we feel. That's our own opinion.
"The only thing I know was that there was clear and convincing favoritism toward her in the competition and leading up to the competition. She received more resources than we did. That is the root of the issue," O'Keefe said.
O'Keefe pointed out she has nothing against Gabriel.
'I have absolutely nothing against Miss USA 2022 as a person. I think she's absolutely stunning she's gorgeous. She also worked so hard for this but I think it's unfortunate that the surrounding circumstances have tainted her win, because we all agree she could have one on her own merit.
'We just wish that there wasn't so much favoritism towards her beforehand, and we wish that it just would have seemed like a more fair competition," O'Keefe said. She did not place in the Top 16.
Miss USA President Crystle Stewart has denied all allegations of some contestants.
'I would not do not anything, such as a 'rig a competition' that I fought so hard for to win, and jeopardize that hope. The fairness of the pageant and the well-being of each and every contestant is my top priority," said Stewart in a statement sent to DailyMail.com.
Stewart, a former Miss Texas before she became Miss USA 2008, added: "The allegations against the Miss USA Organization are misleading and against everything I stand for personally and professionally.'"
Miss Universe, which organizes the annual Miss USA pageant, has started its investigation on the claims of contestants.
'We are aware of the concerns that have been brought forth by this year’s Miss USA contestants. We commend the women for bringing these issues to our attention and will always be an organization that encourages women to use their voice. We firmly believe everyone has a right to express their thoughts and experiences without retaliation and bullying,' said the Miss Universe Organization in a statement sent to the DailyMail.com.
Gabriel, 25, said in an interview by E! News that the Miss USA 2022 pageant was not rigged. "I want to start by saying that it was not rugged because I would never enter any pageant or any competition that I know I would win. I have a lot of integrity. Just for context, I think a lot of people are talking about seeing me promote a sponsor that isn't a Miss USA sponsor. But this one MIA, they are a Miss USA Texas sponsor. So I was a brand ambassador for MIA after I won my title as Miss Texas. And when we got to Miss USA, the girls were wondering what's happening here, but there have a lot of times when the girls will work with sponsors with Miss USA before the competition, and then that would be promoted after the competition if they win or not."
On claims that sponsors flew her out to shoot an ads video, Gabriel said: "Just to clarify, the sponsor did not fly me out. I flew myself out, so after I won Miss Texas USA, they are sponsors, and they invited me to be a brand ambassador at their new spa. So I flew myself out, shot the video, and that was released after I won Miss USA."
Gabriel also said that she wants to reach out to O'Keefe to clarify things.
"I am open to talking to her about it. I would love to communicate with her because there are a lot of allegations that are coming out that aren't true. I want to be transparent because I would like everybody to know that there's no unfair advantage and nothing was rigged. As a titleholder and Miss USA, I don't want the girls to think that this is how pageantry works. This is to celebrate women who have worked hard on that stage, and I have respect for all women that showed up on that stage," she added.
As Miss USA 2022, Gabriel will enjoy a six-figure salary, live in a luxury condo in Los Angeles, drive a fabulous car, wear designer garments, celebrity skincare, and haircare treatments, and access to exclusive premier events.
Gabriel will represent the USA at the 2022 Miss Universe Competition in New Orleans, Louisiana on Jan. 14, 2023.