In Sunday’s Miss LSU-USA pageant in the Student Union Theater, true pageant winner Christina Famularo originally applauded as another contestant received the crown after an unfortunate scoring mishap pageant organizers say they “deeply regret.”
In a miscommunication between the Top 10 level, which scores numerically, and the Top 5 level, which ranks Nos. 1 through 5, the last five standing were allegedly ranked according to their earlier numerical scores. Judges’ rankings of the Top 5 contestants didn’t translate to the final placements, causing Kaitlynn Fish [pictured] to originally receive the crown, according to LSU Delta Zeta alumna and pageant coordinator Jenny Hale.
Delta Zeta sorority hosts the annual event.
“When the judges brought the item to our attention, we decided the only ethical thing to do was to let them vote,” Hale said.
Hale said pageant organizers deeply apologize to Fish and her family for the error, and Famularo will be recorded as the winner. She didn’t give details about the actual placements of the other contestants.