The former Miss Delaware who was disqualified by Miss America officials for being “too old” at 24 may now have the chance to wear the crown of Miss USA instead, TMZ reports.
The Donald Trump-owned pageant has invited Amanda Longacre to take part in the rival competition, which has a cut-off age of 27.
The beauty queen had been stripped of her Miss Delaware title when officials realized she’d be turning 25 in October, one month after the Miss America competition.
Rules state that contestants must be 17 to 24 years old and cannot turn 25 in their yearlong reign should they win.
Longacre grabbed the attention of Miss USA reps when furious pageant fans mistakenly called and emailed their website to voice their disapproval of Miss America’s decision, TMZ reported.
“Please be advised, the recent dismissal of Miss Delaware and Miss Florida has nothing to do with the Miss Universe Organization and they are from a completely different pageant system. These two young ladies were not competing for the Miss USA or Miss Universe crowns. Please direct your comments and calls to the Miss America Organization not Miss USA or Miss UNIVERSE. Thank you,” read a message posted to the Miss USA website.
The pageant takes place on June 8 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Longacre has not yet commented on whether she will be accepting the Miss USA invitation.
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