Kira Kazantsev, Miss America, Called 'Slut,' 'Bimbo' For Planned Parenthood Internship

Kira Kazantsev, the newly crowned Miss America from New York, received plenty of criticism after it was discovered she interned at Planned Parenthood while she was in college. The internship was listed on her LinkedIn profile and led some online users to call Kazantsev a “slut” and “bimbo.”

Planned Parenthood and the Miss America Organization both issued statements in support of Kazantsev.

“Newly crowned Miss America Kira Kazantsev has a lot to be proud of -- and interning with her local Planned Parenthood is right at the top of that list. She devoted her time to providing sex education to young people in her community, helping make sure they received complete and accurate information so they could keep themselves safe and healthy,” Planned Parenthood said in its statement supporting the new Miss America. The organization's Facebook post in support of Kazantsev has more than 19,500 likes and more than 500 comments. Planned Parenthood also launched #StandWithKira following the backlash.

In the Miss America Organization statement supporting Kazantsev, it noted her work on child abuse and domestic violence. “Each Miss America takes a different path to the crown and Kira’s path is no less special. Kira’s college internship with Planned Parenthood afforded her the opportunity to advocate against child abuse while writing her thesis,” Sam Haskell, the Miss America Organization chairman and CEO, said in the statement.

Kazantsev was crowned Miss America on Sept. 14 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Her platform during the pageant was domestic violence and volunteers with Safe Horizon to raise awareness for the issue and support victims of abuse.