Addressing the Fadil Photographs

Oh my, how scandalous.

Our Fadil photographs for the Miss USA Pageant are causing quite the scene in the media. I was told that this evening my picture was one of those displayed on E! News. I understand compleeeetely why the media is talking, but I also stand by the fact that the Miss Universe Organization is trying to change the pageant scene to be more "21st century." Perhaps many feel that being provocative isn't the best way to display that modernity, but as a woman in a beauty pageant trying to display confidence, sensuality, and embrace my own femininity to make myself a stronger woman, I am happy to display these photos. I feel they are well done, and although they're a little edgy, they're classy, high fashion, and beautiful black and white images. They capture our bodies in an artistic light, as if our bodies are works of art. Isn't that sort of what the basis of beauty pageants is about anyhow? I can attest first hand that each of the 51 women here has been working her body to the max trying to create the best curves possible so her body CAN be a work of art on that stage next Sunday night. Now, when we are putting that hard work on display, it has become a shock to the nation. I understand, like I said ... the controversy here ... but I would like to say this:

Women have been putting their bodies "on display" as works of art for decades in the Miss USA Pageant. Now, these women are given the opportunity to take it to the next level -- they are able to embrace the world as it stands in 2010 and show off the hours and hours of work and dedication they have put into sculpting them. There is no nudity, there is nothing uncovered that should be covered, and each girl was treated very well, and given every opportunity to cover as much as she felt comfortable with during the shoot.

I love our photos, and I think they work well for the show we've put together for Sunday, May 16th. I think the Miss Universe Organization is a classy, high quality company that works hard to create roll models and leaders, and having confidence is the first step. Fadil was able to pull that confidence out of us right from the get-go, and if we can't hold our heads up high and feel proud about our motives for the photography, then we don't deserve to hold such a prestigious title as Miss USA.

I hope I have not offended anyone. I just want to say my opinion on this current scandal.