After Trump drama, focus shifts to Miss USA contestants

Miss Massachusetts U.S, Polikseni Manxhari, inspired by her friend’s tragic suicide, makes it her mission to volunteer at a suicide prevention hotline.

In this Monday, July 6, 2015 photo, Miss Massachusetts Polikseni Manxhari speaks during an interview after rehearsals for the upcoming Miss USA Pageant in Baton Rouge, La.

That gesture by the outgoing Miss United States of America titleholder happened midway between the swimsuit round and the evening gown competition when Nick Teplitz thanked the pageant venue and introduced the mayor who was watching the competition live. “As a Latina, I don’t agree with the comments made by Mr. Donald Trump referring to our Mexican brothers”. But many beauty queens involved in the Miss Universe Organization said his comments have left them in a tough spot. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them”.

The 2015 MISS USA® Pageant will telecast LIVE on Sunday, July 12 from The Baton Rouge River Center at 8 p.m. ET on REELZ Channel.

His larger-than-life personality has often served to help publicize the pageant.

Trump, who has been critical of US immigration policies and its border security, has come under fire after making the comments about Mexican immigrants in his speech.

Broadcasters NBC and Spanish-language broadcaster Univision said they would not show the contest.

“The Same Sky Trade Initiative is exceptionally grateful to the Miss Universe Organization for their commitment to helping women worldwide and for their advocacy of “trade-not-aid” as an innovative and effective approach to alleviating poverty and helping women build sustainable futures for their families and their communities”.

They’ve also highlighted the diversity among the contestants, including those of Hispanic descent.

Garcia was raised by her grandmother who emigrated to the US from the Dominican Republic. With nowhere else to turn, they spent their nights sleeping in a auto in a Walmart parking lot. “I definitely know the work ethic that Mexican-Americans and other Latin Americans have”.

She eventually earned a full scholarship to an all-girl Catholic school which also gave her a place to wash up and eat in addition to getting a good education.

“You never know where life will lead you”. Manxhari emigrated to the USA from Albania with her parents when she was 5. Asked if she would vote for him for president, Bennatt said she wants to hear more from the other candidates in the race. “I think that he took it a little too far with what he said”.

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“It’s okay, she still managed to look pretty while doing that”, another Facebook user wrote.

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