Miss USA, Sarah Rose Summers, faced backlash after being accused of mocking two fellow Miss Universe contestants — Miss Vietnam, H’Hen Nie, and Miss Cambodia, Rern Sinat.
Summers later apologized for her actions in a statement on her Instagram page.
The incident was captured in a video on the Instagram account of Miss Colombia, Valeria Morales.
In the clip, Summers talks about Nie’s lack of English and imitates her in front of Morales and Miss Australia, Francesca Hung.
Miss USA 2018, Sarah Rose Summers, at Universal Studios Hollywood on Oct. 15. She apologized on Dec. 13 after apparently mocking two fellow Miss Universe contestants for not being fluent in English. (Photo: Paul Archuleta via Getty Images)
“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 [smiles and nods],” Summers said, laughing.
Summers laughed again and added, “She’s adorable.” Morales then asked Summers to repeat her imitation, which she did.
She then turned her attention to Sinat, saying, “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.”
She added, “Poor Cambodia.”
Many social media users expressed outrage over the now-viral video.
“Miss USA, do you speak any other language than your native tongue English? How is that different from Ms. Vietnam and Ms.Cambodia only speaking their own language,” one commenter wrote. “Shame on the other two ladies who are agreeing with her. I hope they get disqualified soon.”
“Regina George, is that you?” the minds behind the fashion Instagram account Diet Prada said on Thursday. “This is basically what normalized xenophobia looks like. If she’s trying to show empathy, the condescending, intolerant tone tells a different story. A reminder that you’re participating in a competition in a country/continent where English is NOT the primary language.”
Summers issued an apology for her comments on Thursday, saying that she simply “intended to admire the courage of a few of my sisters” and “would never intend to hurt another.”
@MissUniverse 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. 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.
The Miss USA and Miss Universe organizations have not yet issued statements on the matter.
Also on HuffPost
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Keith Richards, Patti Hansen and Derek Blasberg pose at the launch of "Patti Hansen: A Portrait" hosted at the Gordon Bar at Sixty Soho on Nov. 12." (Photo by Yvonne Tnt/BFA)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis play ping pong at Clayton Kershaw's 6th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose on August 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Kershaw's Challenge )
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Former NY Giants player Victor Cruz and Kate Mara attend AT&T NFL Sunday Ticket 25th season kickoff party at The Blond at 11 Howard Hotel on August 23, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Sarah Hyland and Bryan Cranston attend Clayton Kershaw's 6th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose on August 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Kershaw's Challenge )
HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 22: Simon Cowell and Kelly Clarkson attend the ceremony honoring Simon Cowell with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on August 22, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 22: Actress Regina Hall arrives at the premiere of Magnolia Pictures' 'Support The Girls' at the Arclight Theatre on August 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 21: Travis Scott (L) and Kylie Jenner are seen in SoHo on August 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 21: Rapper Iggy Azalea attends the Build Series to discuss 'Survive the Summer' at Build Studio on August 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Jennifer Lopez speaks onstage during the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Cardi B attends the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Camila Cabello accepts the award for Video of the Year from Madonna onstage during the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 20: Jennifer Garner Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on August 20, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 19: Kylie Jenner on August 19, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 19: Blake Lively poses outside the Crosby Hotel on August 19, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 18: Janet Jackson and Daddy Yankee celebrate 'Made For Now' at the 44th annual Harlem Week on August 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage)
LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS -- Episode 725 -- Pictured: Actress Jessica Biel arrives on August 16, 2018 -- (Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 16: Zoe Kravitz is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' on August 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 16: (L-R) Ruth Wilson, Lenny Abrahamson and Domhnall Gleeson attend 'The Little Stranger' New York Premiere at Metrograph on August 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 16: Oscar Isaac attends the 'Operation Finale' New York Premiere at Walter Reade Theater on August 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 15: Jordan Smith attends the Build Series to discuss his new album 'Only Love' at Build Studio on August 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Actors Chris O'Dowd, Rose Byrne and Ethan Hawke attend the 'Juliet, Naked' New York premiere at Metrograph on August 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Actors Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Constance Wu, Ken Jeong and Awkwafina visit Build Series to discuss the film 'Crazy Rich Asians' at Build Studio on August 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/WireImage)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: Katy Perry performs at Qudos Bank Arena on August 13, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/WireImage)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 13: Mandy Moore attends an Evening with 'This Is Us' at Paramount Studios on August 13, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: (L-R) Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, Antoni Porowski, Tan France and Jonathan Van Ness attend Netflix's Queer Eye and GLSEN event at NeueHouse Hollywood on August 12, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 12: (L-R) Vanessa Morgan, Madelaine Petsch, Camila Mendes, KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse and Mark Consuelos of 'Riverdale' accept the Choice Drama TV Show onstage during FOX's Teen Choice Awards at The Forum on August 12, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 12: Katherine Langford attends FOX's Teen Choice Awards at The Forum on August 12, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 12: Nick Cannon attends FOX's Teen Choice Awards at The Forum on August 12, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - AUGUST 12: Vanessa Hudgens attends The Celebrity Experience held at Universal Hilton Hotel on August 12, 2018 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 08: Actress Nina Dobrev is seen on August 8, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 06: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham attend the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures and Gravity Pictures' 'The Meg' at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on August 6, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Singer Kelly Rowland arrives for the premiere of Focus Features' 'BlacKkKlansman' at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California on August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 08: Executive Producer Amy Poehler of the television show 'I Feel Bad' speaks during the NBC segment of the Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 8, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 07: attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Crazy Rich Asiaans' at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on August 7, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 07: ETAF Ambassador and Co-Host Colin Farrell attends the House of Taylor dinner benefitting The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation at House of Taylor on August 7, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for ETAF)
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Getty Donald Trump’s antics are finally catching up with him.That is, of course, true in the New York criminal trial as a whole, where Trump may be found guilty of past misconduct. But Trump’s antics are also catching up with him in a narrower, but quite meaningful way.In the New York case, the prosecutors said Thursday that they would not be providing to Trump’s legal team the names of the first three witnesses that the prosecutors would be calling to tes
Reuters/Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANAIran warned on Thursday that it might review its nuclear “doctrine,” threatening a potential break from the publicly stated “peaceful” objectives of its nuclear program.“The threats of the Zionist regime [Israel] against Iran's nuclear facilities make it possible to review our nuclear doctrine and deviate from our previous considerations,” said Ahmad Haghtalab, a top Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, according to Tasnim. “If the Zionist regi
Newshub YouTubeA man in New Zealand went looking for his elderly parents on Thursday morning after becoming concerned that he had not heard from them for days, reports say. At their rural rented property in Waitākere, West Auckland, he found a ram in a paddock alongside the lifeless bodies of his parents.The unnamed couple in their early 80s are believed to have both been killed by the sheep, according to The New Zealand Herald. Authorities believe the man had gone out to feed the ram and never
Jabin Botsford/ReutersDespite the troubles plaguing Donald Trump’s first criminal trial in New York City, the process reached a milestone Thursday afternoon when the judge filled all 12 seats of the jury that will determine his fate.But the slog is far from over, as prosecutors and defense lawyers must now screen dozens of other jurors to pick the half-dozen New Yorkers who will serve as alternates during the next month or two—and might not even make it into the deliberation room.The new additio
Fox NewsSen. James Lankford (R-OK), the GOP co-architect of the Senate’s failed immigration bill earlier this year, made what were perhaps his most critical comments yet on Donald Trump’s role in scuttling the legislation, alluding to Fox News Thursday that the former president was motivated by his political self-interest.On Your World, Lankford was confronted by anchor Neil Cavuto about the players behind the bill’s demise.“You are a real gentleman about this, and I know you’re not trying to zi
DUBAI/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Explosions echoed over an Iranian city on Friday in what sources said was an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war. Iran's foreign minister said the drones, which the sources said Israel launched against the city of Isfahan, were "mini-drones" and that they had caused no damage or casualties. The limited scale of the attack and Iran's muted response appeared to signal a successful effort by diplomats who have been working to avert all-out war since an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel on Saturday.
Kanye West is being investigated for battery after allegedly punching a man who his representatives claim "battered and sexually assaulted" his wife, Bianca Censori.
