9th January 2012
The first lesbians to ever compete in a Miss California pageant lost out on the title to a straight model - and failed to even make the finals.
Student Natalie Pack, 22, who has appeared on America's Next Top Model, was crowned Miss California USA 2012 on Sunday night at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert.
The first openly gay contestants, Mollie Thomas, 19, who represented the West Hollywood area, and Jenelle Hutcherson, 26, who represented Long Beach, failed to even make it to the finals.
The women, who were approached by pageant recruiters to take part, battled almost 400 other women in the competition but said they were proud to have even been the first openly gay contestants in the competition's 60-year history.
UC Irvine junior Natalie Pack said her win was 'surreal'.
'I had no experience. I've always been a tomboy. I ride motorcycles. I don't do beauty pageants.'
Competing as Miss Hoag Hospital, the student revealed she plans to attend medical school and said she only signed up to get in touch with her feminine side.
She told KTLA.com: 'I want to get the message across to be confident. You just have to exude confidence and self-esteem because that's what is going to get you far in life and make you successful.'
The runner-up for Miss California was Miss Malibu, Brie Gabrielle, a senior at Pepperdine University.
Though she did not make it to the finals, Mollie Thomas said she hopes her appearance at the competition would shed a positive light on the gay community.
'I am taking this opportunity not only to fulfill some of my own aspirations, but also to be a positive role model and inspiration for the LGBTQ community and for girls everywhere,' Miss Thomas wrote on her website.
On her Facebook page, she added: ‘I am taking this opportunity not only to fulfil some of my own aspirations, but also to be a positive role model and inspiration for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) community and for girls everywhere.’
Miss Thomas, a part-time student at UCLA, has volunteered at a school for handicapped children in Mongolia and at an elephant reservation in northern Thailand. She also helped rebuild homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Jenelle Hutcherson, 26, said she hoped to use the contest to spread a message of tolerance and equality.
She told the LA Times before the competition: 'We have the power to create a better future for our kids by setting an example of treating each other with love and equality.'
This was Hutcherson's second time in the spotlight. She made it to the finals in the Miss Long Beach pageant, wearing a tuxedo for the evening wear competition and board shorts for the swimwear section.
She has a distinctive Mohawk hair style.
Natalie Pack was in Cycle 12 of America's next Top Model but failed to make the final three. However she has since forged herself a successful modelling career in the wake of the show.
Miss California is an annual event that scores contestants, aged 18 to 27, on their interview skills and in a swimsuit and evening gown section. There is no talent portion of the pageant.
Judges mark the girls on their character, poise, confidence and personality, according to the pageant's website.
It is a traditionally conservative event, with girls who have given birth to a child or who have been married or divorced unable to compete.
The first lesbians to ever compete in a Miss California pageant lost out on the title to a straight model - and failed to even make the finals.
Student Natalie Pack, 22, who has appeared on America's Next Top Model, was crowned Miss California USA 2012 on Sunday night at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert.
The first openly gay contestants, Mollie Thomas, 19, who represented the West Hollywood area, and Jenelle Hutcherson, 26, who represented Long Beach, failed to even make it to the finals.
Emotion: Student and former America's Next Top Model contestant Natalie Pack took home the crown last night
History but not winners: Jenelle Hutcherson, left, and Mollie Thomas, right, failed to even make the final
Shock: Natalie - Miss Hoag Hospital - could not believe it when she was crowned winner
'I had no experience. I've always been a tomboy. I ride motorcycles. I don't do beauty pageants.'
Competing as Miss Hoag Hospital, the student revealed she plans to attend medical school and said she only signed up to get in touch with her feminine side.
She told KTLA.com: 'I want to get the message across to be confident. You just have to exude confidence and self-esteem because that's what is going to get you far in life and make you successful.'
The runner-up for Miss California was Miss Malibu, Brie Gabrielle, a senior at Pepperdine University.
Though she did not make it to the finals, Mollie Thomas said she hopes her appearance at the competition would shed a positive light on the gay community.
'I am taking this opportunity not only to fulfill some of my own aspirations, but also to be a positive role model and inspiration for the LGBTQ community and for girls everywhere,' Miss Thomas wrote on her website.
On her Facebook page, she added: ‘I am taking this opportunity not only to fulfil some of my own aspirations, but also to be a positive role model and inspiration for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) community and for girls everywhere.’
Aim: Mollie said she wanted to be a positive role model and inspiration for the LGBTQ community and for girls everywhere
Out and proud: Jenelle Hutcherson, 26, said she hoped to use the contest to spread a message of tolerance and equality
Winner: Natalie Pack was a former contestant on cycle 12 of America's Next Top Model
Jenelle Hutcherson, 26, said she hoped to use the contest to spread a message of tolerance and equality.
She told the LA Times before the competition: 'We have the power to create a better future for our kids by setting an example of treating each other with love and equality.'
This was Hutcherson's second time in the spotlight. She made it to the finals in the Miss Long Beach pageant, wearing a tuxedo for the evening wear competition and board shorts for the swimwear section.
She has a distinctive Mohawk hair style.
Stunning: Mollie Thomas, 19, was one of the two first openly gay women to participate in the Miss California beauty pageant
Making history: Miss Thomas (pictured left), a part-time student, represented West Hollywood in the contest. Jenelle Hutcherson, 26, (right) represented the Long Beach area of California
Contest: 400 girls are taking part in the event, where they are scored in Interview, Swimsuit and Evening Gown rounds
Judges mark the girls on their character, poise, confidence and personality, according to the pageant's website.
It is a traditionally conservative event, with girls who have given birth to a child or who have been married or divorced unable to compete.
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