Caitlin Upton

Last updated
Caitlin Upton
Caitlin Upton portrait.png
Upton in July 2007
Born
Lauren Caitlin Upton

(1989-03-27) March 27, 1989 (age 35)
Lexington, South Carolina, U.S.
Education Appalachian State University
OccupationReal estate agent
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Spouse
Charlie McNeil
​
​
(m. 2016;div. 2019)​
Children2
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2007
Hair colorBlonde
Eye colorHazel
Major
competition(s)		 Miss Teen USA 2007

Caitlin "Caite"Upton (born Lauren Caitlin Upton; March 27, 1989, in Lexington, South Carolina) is an American actress, model, real estate agent, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2007 and represented South Carolina at Miss Teen USA 2007 where she placed third runner-up.

Contents

Career

2007 Miss Teen USA pageant

Upton became Miss South Carolina Teen USA for 2007 in the November 2006 state pageant. She went on to place as third runner-up in the Miss Teen USA 2007 pageant. Upton gained international notoriety for her awkward judged response to a question posed to her onstage during the August 2007 national pageant. [1] [2] During the pageant, Upton responded to a question posed by judge Aimee Teegarden: "Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a world map. Why do you think this is?" Upton responded:

I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, um, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and, uh, I believe that our, uh, education like such as, uh, South Africa and, uh, the Iraq and everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future. [3] [4]

As a guest on NBC's The Today Show shortly after the pageant, Upton told Ann Curry and Matt Lauer that she was overwhelmed when asked the question and did not comprehend it correctly. [5] The Today Show hosts gave Upton another opportunity to answer. She responded:

Well personally, my friends and I, we know exactly where the United States is on our map. I don't know anyone else who doesn't. And if the statistics are correct, I believe that there should be more emphasis on geography in our education so people will learn how to read maps better. [6]

Both Curry and Lauer, along with unseen crew members, applauded her response. [7]

Mental health struggles

After her response at the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant went viral, [8] Upton experienced significant public criticism and personal difficulties. [9] In a 2015 interview with New York Magazine , she disclosed that the widespread backlash contributed to a period of severe depression and suicidal thoughts. [10] [11] Upton described this time as "very dark" and noted that she kept her struggles private, confiding only in a few trusted individuals, including her fiancé, best friend, and eventually her mother.

Upton recounted specific incidents of harassment, including being taunted by a group of students at the University of South Carolina and receiving a threatening letter in her parents' mailbox. The letter contained hostile content, urging her to "go die" due to the pageant incident. [12] Upton credited her family and close friends with providing essential support during this difficult period.

Post pageant career

Upton embraced and capitalized on the fame and exposure gained from her notorious pageant performance, going on to host and star in her own web series, "Learning Stuff" w/Caite Upton on the Soiled Britches and Atomic Elbow YouTube Premium Channels. She has also acted in numerous television and movie roles, including a supporting lead role in the myster/thriller "Neron," and guest star on the FEARnet comedy series "Holliston." She has appeared in numerous national commercials, on Tosh.O, as a correspondent for Jimmy Kimmel Live, as a contestant on CBS's "The Amazing Race," as a guest host on MTV's "Ridiculousness," and in a recurring role on the HBO series "Funny or Die." She has also modeled in numerous advertising campaigns and shot a Maxim spread and behind-the-scenes video for Maxim.com in 2010. [13]

Upton has also modeled in advertisements for companies such as Nautica and Wrangler and has appeared in national magazines such as Seventeen , Cosmo Girl , and American Cheerleader. [5] Upton later signed a deal with Donald Trump's modeling agency in New York City. [14]

Upton appeared in Weezer's music video "Pork and Beans", which was released on May 23, 2008, where the microphone she held became a lightsaber. In the same video, she blends "Maps" in a Blendtec blender. [15] [16]

In 2010, Upton was a contestant on The Amazing Race 16 , where she is credited as Caite Upton and finished the race in third place with her then-boyfriend Brent Horne. [17]

Tucker Carlson controversy

In March 2019, audio clips surfaced of Tucker Carlson making controversial remarks about Upton in 2007 shortly after the pageant. Carlson, speaking on Florida-based radio program The Bubba the Love Sponge Show, repeatedly denigrated Upton's intelligence and speculated on her sexual behavior inappropriately. [18] [19]

JD Vance controversy

On August 29, 2024, Trump's running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, ahead of an interview that CNN would broadcast that evening in which Trump's election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, explained some of her policy shifts, posted a video of Upton giving the infamous answer about maps with the caption "BREAKING: I have gotten ahold of the full Kamala Harris CNN interview." [20] [21]

The post received criticism for reviving a moment in Upton's life that she had previously described as traumatic. [22] [23]

In a follow-up interview with CNN, [24] Vance stated that he was unaware of the negative impact the clip has had on Upton's mental health. While he expressed goodwill towards Upton, he declined to apologize, suggesting that humor has a place in political discourse. [25] [26]

Upton addressed the situation in a statement to Vanity Fair , noting her disappointment that the moment was still being referenced after 17 years. She highlighted the ongoing issue of online bullying and encouraged those experiencing similar challenges to seek support from relevant organizations, [27] stating, "It's a shame that 17 years later this is still being brought up. Regardless of political beliefs, one thing I do know is that social media and online bullying needs to stop." [21] [28]

Personal life

Upton married personal trainer Charlie McNeil in 2016 and they divorced in 2019. [29]

Political views

Upton has posted and expressed support online for the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, and her conservative beliefs.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beauty pageant</span> Competition mostly based on physical attributes

A beauty pageant is a competition in which the contestants are judged and ranked based on various physical and mental attributes. Per its name, beauty pageants traditionally focus on judging the contestants' physical attractiveness, sometimes solely so, but most modern beauty pageants have since expanded to also judge contestants based on "inner beauty"—their individual traits and characteristics, including personality, intelligence, aptitude, moral character, and charity. Though typically perceived as a female-oriented competition, male beauty pageants also exist, as do child beauty pageants for youth.

Miss Universe is an annual international major beauty pageant that is run by a Thailand and Mexican-based Miss Universe Organization. Along with Miss World, Miss International, and Miss Earth, it is one of the Big Four beauty pageants.

Miss USA is an American beauty pageant that has been held annually since 1952 to select the entrant from United States in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operated both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA, until 2020, when the organization announced it was licensing operation of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants to Crystle Stewart, Miss USA for 2008 prior to her suspension in October 2022, thus returning the said pageants to the Miss Universe Organization. The pageants are now operated by Laylah Rose.

Miss Teen USA is a beauty pageant that has been run since 1983 by the Miss Universe Organization for girls aged 14–19 years old as of January 1st of the competition year. They must be US citizens, and cannot have been married, pregnant, or have children. Unlike its sister pageants Miss Universe, which currently broadcasts on JKN18 and like its sister pageant Miss USA, it is televised on The CW television network starting in 2024, after being streamed online for several years. The Miss Universe Organization previously operated Miss Teen USA, as well as Miss USA, until 2020 when the rights to produce both pageants were licensed to Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart prior to her suspension in October 2022, thus returning the said pageants to the Miss Universe Organization. The parent company of all three pageants and the Miss Universe organization remains the same under the licensing agreement: JKN Metaverse Inc., a subsidiary of JKN Global Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Mace</span> American politician (born 1977)

Nancy Ruth Mace is an American politician who has been the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district since 2021. She is a member of the Republican Party.

The Miss North Carolina USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state North Carolina in the Miss USA pageant. This state is part of the RPM Productions group since 1992.

The Miss Louisiana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Louisiana in the Miss USA pageant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tara Conner</span> American model and winner of Miss USA 2006

Tara Elizabeth Conner is an American model, television personality, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 2006 and has also competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss Universe pageants. Apart from her role as Miss USA, Conner has been employed as a model. She was a featured model on the HDNet series Bikini Destinations in 2004, posing in Lake Tahoe. She has also held the titles Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2002, Miss Kentucky County Fair 2004, and Miss Kentucky USA 2006.

The Miss Kentucky Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Kentucky in the Miss Teen USA pageant.

The Miss South Carolina Teen USA pageant is the competition that selects the representatives for the state of South Carolina in the Miss Teen USA pageant. The pageant has been directed by RPM Productions since its inception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Murphy</span> American beauty pageant queen and reality television contestant

Jennifer Murphy is an American personality and former beauty pageant contestant.

Miss America's Teen is an American scholarship pageant. It is the sister program to the Miss America Opportunity, and it aims to "promote scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America's teens." In order to be eligible to compete, participants must first compete and win at the local level and then win the state title. The competition consists of several parts of competition which consists of an eight-minute interview in front of a panel of judges, talent, lifestyle and wellness, evening wear, and an on-stage question. All competitors must be girls between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age.

The Miss Virginia competition is a scholarship pageant for women, with the titleholder representing Virginia in the Miss America pageant. The competition was founded in 1953 as a scholarship contest for young women, although women had represented Virginia in the Miss America pageant since the 1930s. Four Miss Virginia winners have gone on to be crowned Miss America, including former national titleholder Caressa Cameron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 2007</span> 56th Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 2007 was the 56th Miss USA pageant, held at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 23, 2007, after two weeks of events and preliminary competition. The winner of the pageant was Rachel Smith of Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss Teen USA 2007</span> 25th edition of the Miss Teen USA competition

Miss Teen USA 2007, the 25th Miss Teen USA pageant, was held on August 24, 2007 in Pasadena, California. At the conclusion of the final night of the competition Hilary Cruz of Colorado was crowned Miss Teen USA 2007 by outgoing titleholder Katie Blair of Montana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 1997</span> 46th Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 1997 was the 46th Miss USA pageant, held at Shreveport, Louisiana in January and February, 1997. Delegates arrived in the city on January 19, the preliminary competition was held on February 2, 1997 and the final competition on February 5, 1997. The event, held at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum was broadcast live on CBS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystle Stewart</span> American model and beauty pageant titleholder

Crystle Stewart Sebrechts is an American actress and beauty pageant titleholder. Stewart began her acting career in 2011, when she played real estate agent Leslie Morris on the OWN/TBS comedy-drama television series For Better or Worse until 2017. Shortly after, she appeared in the 2018 film Acrimony. She also won Miss Texas USA 2008 and Miss USA 2008, and represented the United States at Miss Universe 2008, where she reached in the placed Top 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JD Vance</span> Vice President-elect of the United States (born 1984)

James David Vance is an American politician, attorney, author, and Marine Corps veteran who is the vice president–elect of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he has served since 2023 as the junior United States Senator from Ohio. He was Donald Trump's running mate in the 2024 presidential election. Upon assuming office, Vance will be the third youngest vice president in U.S. history and the first to be born in the Millennial generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008</span> 3rd Miss America Outstanding Teen pageant held in Orlando, Florida

Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 was the third Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant, held at the Linda Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on August 11, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">119th United States Congress</span> 2025–2027 meeting of U.S. legislature

The 119th United States Congress will be the next two-year term of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It is scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., from January 3, 2025, to January 3, 2027, beginning its term during the final 17 days of Joe Biden's presidency and the first two years of Donald Trump's second presidency.

References

  1. ↑ Celizic, Mike (2007-08-28). "Miss South Carolina Teen USA explains herself – Caitlin Upton botched the map question because she was 'overwhelmed'". MSNBC. Archived from the original on 2016-11-15. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
  2. ↑ "Miss Teen South Carolina makes her mark with flubbed response to geography question". International Herald Tribune . Associated Press. 2007-08-28. Archived from the original on August 31, 2007.
  3. ↑ Adams, Richard (2007-08-27). "Now, where is America anyway?". The Guardian .
  4. ↑ Thomas, Karen (2007-08-29). "That wasn't Miss South Carolina's final answer". USA Today . Archived from the original on May 30, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Miss South Carolina Teen USA explains herself". 28 August 2007. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "Pageant Contestant Re-Answers Question". The Washington Post . Associated Press. 2007-08-28.
  7. ↑ Silverman, Stephen M. (2007-08-28). "VIDEO: Miss S.C. Teen USA Says 'I Made a Mistake'". People .
  8. ↑ Traister, Rebecca (2007-08-29). "Miss dumb blond USA?". Salon. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  9. ↑ Webster, Emma Sarran (2015-12-04). "Why This Former Beauty Queen Contemplated Suicide After Becoming Internet Famous". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  10. ↑ "Former Miss Teen USA contestant Caitlin Upton considered suicide after viral pageant blunder". New York Daily News. 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  11. ↑ Webber, Stephanie (2015-12-02). "Miss South Carolina Teen USA Contemplated Suicide After Pageant Flub". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  12. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (2015-12-03). "Ex-Miss Teen USA Contestant Contemplated Suicide After Viral Pageant Gaffe". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  13. ↑ "CAITE UPTON by NTA Model Management".
  14. ↑ staff (2007-09-20). "Miss Teen USA South Carolina signs up with Trump". News Limited. Archived from the original on 2007-10-29.
  15. ↑ "New Weezer Music Video: "Pork and Beans" Starring Caitlin Upton". COED. 2008-05-23.
  16. ↑ Scout, Web (June 7, 2008). "Weezer's YouTubian anthem". Los Angeles Times .
  17. ↑ Rose, Adam J. (December 2, 2009). "Caitlin Upton: Former Miss Teen South Carolina May Join Amazing Race". Huffington Post .
  18. ↑ "x.com".
  19. ↑ Pitofsky, Marina. "Tucker Carlson under fire again for sexual, degrading comments toward 2007 Miss Teen USA contestant". USA TODAY.
  20. ↑ Bickerton, James (August 30, 2024). "JD Vance Called Out After Comparing Kamala Harris to Miss Teen Contestant". Newsweek . Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  21. 1 2 Dougherty, Hugh (August 30, 2024). "Miss Teen USA Runner-Up Shames JD Vance for Cruel Video Post". Daily Beast. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  22. ↑ Reporter, James Bickerton US News (2024-08-30). "JD Vance called out after comparing Kamala Harris to Miss Teen contestant". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  23. ↑ "JD Vance's New Low Blow Shows Exactly What He Thinks Of Women, Critics Say". HuffPost . 2024-08-30. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  24. ↑ Rittiner, Ellen (2024-08-30). 'I'm not going to apologize for posting a joke': Vance asked about post featuring Miss Teen USA contestant. CNN . Retrieved 2024-08-30– via www.cnn.com.
  25. ↑ Evans, Greg (2024-08-30). "Former Miss Teen USA Contestant Decries Resurfacing Of Embarrassing Clip While JD Vance Refuses To Apologize". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  26. ↑ Korach, Natalie (2024-08-30). "JD Vance Refuses to Apologize for Using Viral Beauty Queen Clip Against Kamala Harris". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  27. ↑ Wickman, Kase (2024-08-30). "JD Vance's Latest Humor Fail: Mocking a Miss Teen USA Contestant". Vanity Fair . Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  28. ↑ "Trump backer Caite Upton accuses JD Vance of 'online bullying' for using her to mock Kamala Harris". Indy 100 . Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  29. ↑ "Former Miss Teen USA Contestant Caitlin Upton's Divorce Settled". TMZ. October 8, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.