Despite the controversy surrounding Donald Trump and the Miss USA pageant, which he co-owns, the show aired Sunday evening although Trump was a no show.

The 54th annual Miss USA pageant aired on the Reelz cable channel just weeks after Trump called Mexican immigrants drug traffickers and rapists during his presidential election announcement speech on June 16.

Following his inflammatory remarks, NBCUniversal canceled its contract to air the Miss USA competition. Plus, Univision, the largest U.S. Spanish-language television network, nixed its contract to broadcast the Miss Universe Pageant, which Trump also co-owns. As a result, pageant organizers had to scramble to find a last minute broadcaster, reports Entertainment Tonight. The original hosts, judges and performers also dropped of this year's Miss USA contest.

The contest was broadcasted live on Reelz from the Baton Rouge River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Trump, however, tweeted on Saturday that he would not attend the event because he was campaigning in Arizona.

"I will not be able to attend the Miss USA pageant tomorrow night because I am campaigning in Phoenix. Wishing all well!" he wrote.

The pageant included a special montage celebrating the diversity of its contestants who have immigrant roots.

"I come from a mixed Latino family. My mother is an immigrant from Nicaragua and my dad is third generation Mexican," said Miss California Natasha Martinez during the pro-immigration segment, reports Us Weekly.

Miss Arizona, Maureen Montagne, added that, "coming from a multicultural background, I would love to promote positive race relations."

Random facts were announced about the contestants during the swimsuit competition; however, the announcer talked about Miss Texas' Hispanic roots and community while she walked a crossed the stage.

"Miss Texas USA comes from a small Hispanic community where a lot of disadvantaged girls look up to her, so she likes being a role model and spreading hope," said the announcer.

Miss Oklahoma, Olivia Jordan, won the 2015 crown.