Scandal has cast a not-so-flattering light on one teen beauty queen this week. Miss Delaware Teen USA Melissa King gave up her crown on Tuesday, Feb. 26, amid allegations that she appeared in an amateur porn tape. A pageant spokesperson confirmed that the 18-year-old had stepped down from her post in an email to reporters, noting that officials received a letter from King's attorney.
King's resignation comes just one day after a porn website posted a sex video featuring a young woman purported to be the reigning beauty queen. According to Delaware's News Journal, however, King said in a phone call that it was "absolutely not" her in the amateur recording.
The paper reports that the woman in the tape gives an interview prior to the sex portion of the video in which she makes reference to being a "Miss Teen." Asked why she decided to participate in the recording, the brunette says, "I thought it would be fun and I needed the money."
Keylee Sanders, a former Miss Teen USA herself and co-executive director at K2 Productions, which handles various Miss USA state pageants, told E! News in a statement that she was sad to see the brand's reputation take a hit. "It is an honor to be part of the Miss Universe organization and [it] can provide huge life-changing opportunities for young women," she said. "If the footage is of Miss King, I feel this is a perfect example for all teens to learn that these types of actions have consequences."
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King was crowned Miss Delaware Teen USA in November of last year. In the wake of her resignation, runner-up Hailey Lawler will take over the title and represent her state in the 2013 Miss Teen USA pageant this summer.
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