Second Miss USA Contestant says she overheard list of Top 5 finalists before live announcement

Nothing wrong with a professional wrestling type of “competition” as long as everyone know the game

In Texas it is a crime to rig a publicly exhibited contest, which is why wrestling "matches" are promoted as "exhibitions" or "shows" not contests. Looking at the statute, I think it would extend to a beauty pagent.

§ 32.44 TEXAS PENAL CODE. RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST.

(a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to affect the outcome (including the score) of a publicly exhibited contest:
(1) he offers, confers, or agrees to confer any benefit on, or threatens harm to:
(A) a participant in the contest to induce him not to use his best efforts; or
(B) an official or other person associated with the contest; or
(2) he tampers with a person, animal, or thing in a manner contrary to the rules of the contest.

(b) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept any benefit the conferring of which is an offense under Subsection (a).

Good point. It's not a "contest" if it's rigged.

I've never taken an interest in the beauty pageant game, and I've never known any young ladies who were on that track. My opinion is based on nothing but casual impression. That said, I have the impression that most of the contestants take it very seriously indeed, and that for many of them, it's an all consuming passion. FWIW, when you total up costumes, styling, talent training, travel, etc., a fair amount of money and a substantial investment of time are involved. Seriously misplaced priorities, of course, but if the pageant is rigged, the contestants are being defrauded.

What a jerky thing to say. I guess you don’t have any idea how many years it takes to get to the point where you are on the Miss USA Stage. These women start young, local pagaents, travelling, Having strangers judge them, every flaw. The disciple and the education, leaning grace and poise..Something sorely lacking in this world. These women are incredibly hard workers and highly competitive and for you to doubt that says more about you and your thoughts about women than anything else. Shame on you.

Are you one of those Dance Moms?

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