Jeannie Mai has decided to step down as Miss USA cohost just five days before the beauty pageant is expected to air. The 36-year-old makeup artist and "The Real" cohost announced on her Instagram that she changed her mind and decided to quit the show following Donald Trump's controversial anti-immigration remarks.
"Last week I announced my heartfelt decision to support the women of Miss USA by remaining on board as a cohost," wrote Mai. "My focus was strictly on the women involved, who share the same ethics of hard work, commitment and passion for their careers and causes that I do. I have cohosted for the last five years various Miss Universe events, and I'm grateful for the many women I've met and friends I've made along the way. I feel terrible that the women competing this year have fallen victim to current events."
Last week, Mai revealed that she would not abandon her hosting duties, even after the other cohosts stepped down from the show. The TV personality joins Cheryl Burke, Thomas Roberts, Emmitt Smith and others who refuse to participate in this year's pageant following Trump's controversy.
"Let me be clear, I condemn the recent words of Mr. Trump, and find them immensely offensive. At the time I made my decision to remain part of the Miss USA pageant, I was under the impression that Mr. Trump would no longer be involved in the production of the show in any capacity whatsoever," she wrote. "In addition, given Mr. Trump's ongoing antics, including his most recent episode today with the current Miss Universe, it is clear that Mr. Trump's actions have and will continue to distract focus away from the real stars of the show—the women involved in the pageant."
She continued, "Therefore, I am respectfully withdrawing from my responsibilities and commitment as cohost of Miss USA. From the beginning, I announced publicly that I was donating my compensation to a worthy charity. Although I will no longer be participating as a cohost, I still want to support the women competing in the pageant. I feel the best way to show that is to lend my support to this year's winner of Miss USA and to make the donation I promised to her platform and charity."
Mai concluded, "Ladies, you worked so hard to get here. I am proud of who you are and wish you the best of luck Sunday evening."
Last month, as previously reported by HNGN, Roselyn Sanchez and Cristian de la Fuente resigned from the beauty pageant. They made the decision following Trump's comments about Mexicans. NBC and Univision cut ties with Trump as well.
Miss America is scheduled to air Sunday, July 12, on the Reelz network.
