Miss America 2015 Sorority Controversy: Kira Kazantsev Kicked Out of Alpha Phi, Denies 'Dirty Pledging' Accusations [Watch]
Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, who crusades against domestic violence, was allegedly kicked out of her sorority Alpha Phi at Long Island's Hofstra University for abusive hazing.
At last week's prestigious beauty pageant, to answer the question of what issue the female U.S. Senators should press upon their male colleagues, the newly crowned 23-year-old said that they should urge to help combat sexual assault in the military, noting that she herself was in an abusive relationship during college.
However, Jezebel's report on Monday undoubtedly tarnished Kazantsev's squeaky clean image -- a source claimed that she called pledges names, criticized their appearance and ordered them to perform physical tasks to the point of "bruising and exhaustion."
During her "Good Morning America" appearance on Tuesday morning, the blonde beauty denied the recent allegations of making the incoming pledges' lives "a living hell" and her way of "dirty pledging."
"They are not true," she said. "I'm incredibly hurt that someone has said these things."
Kazantsev then admitted that while serving as Recruitment Committee President for the sorority, she was involved in ordering the pledges to perform "menial tasks," which she described as "something like you would stand in a line and basically like recite information or a few sleepless nights crafting."
"Under the broad definition of hazing, yes, I was involved," she added. "At the time, unfortunately, that was just the culture of the university, and I was hazed, and I was kind of brought up through the organization thinking that is appropriate behavior."
Kazantsev also explained why she got kicked out of her sorority -- she sent an email ahead of an event to her Alpha Phi members that she claimed it was misinterpreted. "In the email I made a joke that was taken out of context and forwarded," she said, adding that it was included: "we would make the evening scary for the pledges."
Miss America Organization defended Kira Kazantsev via FOX, insisting that she has been "fully transparent" about her situation with Alpha Phi and advising people to focus on her academic achievements and commitment to serve her community, instead. "Kira is an exceptional ambassador for the Miss America Organization, and we are excited to be a part of her journey as a force for good across our nation, promoting education and service and working to empower young women."
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