Beauty pageant contestants are no stranger to controversy, but Miss Puerto Rico 2015’s recent offensive behavior might take the cake.
Destiny Velez, 20, has been “indefinitely suspended” as the island’s official Miss America organization representative for coming for Muslims (and film director and activist, Michael Moore) in an unprovoked Twitter attack.
Moore took a stand in solidarity with the Muslim community earlier this week, posting up in front of the Trump Towers with a sign reading, “We Are All Muslim.” This was clearly in response to Donald Trump‘s inflammatory proposal to ban anyone practicing the religion from entering the United States.
Velez apparently took offense to Moore’s actions, tweeting him directly and saying Muslims were known to have “terrorizing agendas.” She didn’t stop there, ranting: “All what Muslims have done is provided oil & terrorize this country & many others!!!! There’s NO comparison between Jews, Christians & Muslims. Jews nor Christians have terrorizing agendas in their sacred books.”
When it appeared Velez couldn’t be more offensive, she blasted, “If we are all the same then Muslims need to take off their napkins off of their heads cuz I feel offended by it.”
Her statements were quickly dissected by fellow social media users, who crafted Spanish language hashtags like #nonosrepresentas (“you don’t represent us”) and #verguenzaajena (“embarrassment”).
The Miss Puerto Rico Organization eventually caught wind of the brouhaha, releasing a statement via their Facebook page.
“In regards to Miss Puerto Rico, Destiny Velez’s, recent actions and conduct; the Miss Puerto Rico Organization feels that her words do not represent the integrity and esteem of our program, nor that of our board members, our sponsors and partners, or the National Organization.
“Miss Velez’s actions were in contradiction to the organization, and therefore as a consequence of her actions, she has been suspended indefinitely. The Miss Puerto Rico Organization will not tolerate any actions or behavior contrary to the Miss Puerto Rico Organization.
Velez then released her own statement through the organization, saying, “I apologize to the people I have offended with my words. I am first and foremost an #UpStander and as such I stand up against bullying. The last thing I wanted to do was to bully anyone. Again, I apologize to anyone who felt offended with my words.”
All of Velez’s social media accounts are currently shut down (and probably should stay that way).
