Thank you … um … Miss Utah?
A finalist in the Miss USA competition is drawing unique attention for her response to a question about women’s wages.
Marissa Powell, a 21-year-old Salt Lake City native, strutted across the stage in a sequin-lined dress Sunday, drawing a question from panelist NeNe Leakes.
“A recent report shows that in 40 percent of American families with children, women are the primary earners, yet they continue to earn less than men. What does it say about society?”
Powell nodded along, pondering her response.
She considered the right words. She paused.
Then she opened her mouth.
“I think we can relate this back to education, and how we are continuing to try to strive … to … [Think! Think! She smiles, caught on some meandering, tangential wavelength] … figure out how to create jobs right now. That is the biggest problem right now.
“I think, especially the men are … um … seen as the leaders of this, and so we need to see how to … create education better. So that we can solve this problem. Thank you.”
Creating education better … wha?!?
The response makes you recall Miss Teen USA 2007, when Miss South Carolina Caitlin Upton rambled about finding the United States on a map, discussing “South Africa, and the Iraq, everywhere like, such as.”
Despite the misfire, Powell earned third runner-up, as well as Miss Photogenic honors. Miss Connecticut, Erin Brady, ended up winning the competition and will represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in the winter.