The CRDA is looking to possibly get out of its Miss America contract in light of emails leaked to the Huffington Post that include fat- and slut-shaming of women who have worn the crown.
In early 2016, the CRDA agreed to a three-year, $11.9 million deal for Miss America, which ends next year. But lawyers are reportedly looking to get out of the contract now after the story by Yashar Ali.
In one email Miss America Organization CEO Sam Haskell tells Lewis Friedman, lead writer of the telecast in 2014, to no longer use the term Forever Miss Americas for past titleholders, but instead to change it to "Former Miss Americas".
Friedman replies: "I'd already changed 'Forevers' to 'C----.' Does that work for you?"
Haskell's response? "Perfect...bahahaha."
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/miss-america-ceo-emails_us_5a3bd266e4b025f99e153fdb?ncid=engmodushpmg00000003
"I think it's despicable," incoming Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam said of the emails. "It also shows, quite obviously, America hasn't really moved as far as treating women as property instead of human beings. It's a disgrace."
He said he spoke with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and that they were looking into what legal action they can take to end the contract."
In one email chain, the weight gain and alleged promiscuity of Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan is discussed.
The CRDA was less specific in a statement it released.
"The CRDA finds the reports of the Miss America Organization and the behavior of its leadership troubling," the statement read. "The CRDA is working with our legal counsel to undertake an immediate review of its contract with the Miss America Organization and Dick Clark Productions to assess what steps we may need to take"
Gilliam said he never agreed with the pageant's return at a price of nearly $4 million a year.
"I didn't really think we were getting much bang for our buck," he said of the pageant's return to its hometown after a six-year stint in Las Vegas.
"I was opposed when it came back," Gilliam said. "I'm even more opposed to it now."
In one email chain, the weight gain and alleged promiscuity of Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan is discussed.
The CRDA was less specific in a statement it released.
"The CRDA finds the reports of the Miss America Organization and the behavior of its leadership troubling," the statement read. "The CRDA is working with our legal counsel to undertake an immediate review of its contract with the Miss America Organization and Dick Clark Productions to assess what steps we may need to take"
Gilliam said he never agreed with the pageant's return at a price of nearly $4 million a year.
"I didn't really think we were getting much bang for our buck," he said of the pageant's return to its hometown after a six-year stint in Las Vegas.
"I was opposed when it came back," Gilliam said. "I'm even more opposed to it now."
