Photo: Instagram
Nevada and Michigan are straight-up not having a good time.
By Leah Scher — Written on Aug 25, 2019
The Ms. America Pageant took away Katie Jo Williams’ Ms. Nevada State 2019 title and both sides agree it stems from politics. According to her, she was stripped of the distinction because she’s a supporter of President Donald Trump and a victim of political bias. The pageant says she violated a rule that prohibits contestants from publicizing their political beliefs on social media related to the pageant. Effectively, this means she’s disqualified from competing in the pageant this weekend (Thursday, August 22nd through Saturday, August 24th) in Long Beach, California.
What else is there to know about this dispute? Who is Katie Jo Williams?
1. Ms. America is a “No Politics” pageant.
When Williams signed the pageant agreement, it included a promise to keep her politics separate from her pageant social media page. In an official statement on their website, the Ms. America pageant said, that she "acknowledged both verbally and in writing that she understood these rules before she was accepted into the pageant. Nothing on her Facebook page had any political statements at the time she was accepted into the pageant." Williams told KOLO 8 News Now, “I’m upset I mean don’t get me wrong this is something I really wanted to do and I worked really hard to do and I you know, you go and try to make your best self for people you don’t even know and of course you want them to view you as a role model.” In response, Ms. America said, "None of this had to do with her personal political views. They are immaterial. She has her Personal Facebook page to voice her political views. She could be a President Trump supporter on her Personal Facebook page all she wants for everyone to read. However, the Ms. Nevada Facebook Page should be devoid of political content."
2. Williams doesn’t understand what she did wrong.
Williams has posted several video responses and messages on social media vehemently disagreeing with Ms. America's decision. “I just don’t understand how you can censor someone with conservative values when I’m not even really saying anything that’s bad,” she said in a Facebook video posted on Saturday.
3. She started a website that calls for users to “fight against censorship.”
The site also has a form for people to sign up, though it’s unclear what registered users will receive if they sign up. Katie Williams appeared on Fox and Friends and has received support from conservative news outlets across the country.
4. She’s a fitness enthusiast.
Williams received her CrossFit Level 2 fitness instructor certification in July of this year. According to some of her Twitter posts, she’s been participating in Crossfit events since 2014.
5. She’s in the Army National Guard.
According to NBC News, Williams' spokesman says she was “deployed with the Army National Guard to Afghanistan in 2008-09.” Instagram posts indicate that she’s currently serving as a Sergeant First Class (E7) in the Nevada Army National Guard. She was also stationed in Louisiana at one point — most likely at Fort Polk. Instagram posts of hers indicate that she's been in the Nevada Army Reserves since at least 2013.
6. She has a daughter
Williams’ daughter is named Amelia Rose. When she ran for Ms. Health and Fitness earlier this year, she was asked in an interview how fitness positively influences her life. She responded that because she battled with postpartum depression and PTSD, fitness has helped her rejuvenate and keep her focused on her family, life and career goals. “I want to be the inspiration to others to fight through their battles!” she told Ms. Health and Fitness.
Leah Scher is an ENFP and recent graduate of Brandeis University. She's an alumna of the Kenyon Review Young Writer's Workshop the Iowa Young Writers' Studio. She's passionate about Judaism, poetry, film, satire, astrology, spirituality, and sexual health.