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| (Photo : Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown) |
Jeannie Mai says she will continue to co-host Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant even thought she takes issue with Trump's remarks.
"While I absolutely do not condone Mr. Trump's statements, after careful deliberation I have decided to continue my role as co-host of the upcoming Miss USA Pageant," Mai, 36, says in a statement.
But she's not doing it for Trump, Mai is doing it for the women in the competition.
"I support every single woman that is standing on that stage that understands what it's like to be committed to getting to where they are right now," Mai told ET.
"If this one man is going to make these comments it's going to stop you from representing your family and what you believe in? No, not for me at least."
Mai said she is supported by her family.
"For the past several years, I have been co-hosting both Miss USA and Miss Universe aligned to support President Paula Shugart. I can't abandon these women when they need our support now more than ever. The mission of the Miss Universe organization has always been to unite women from all over the world and celebrate different cultures.They empower women to become role models in their communities in order to build self-esteem and advance philanthropic initiatives."
Trump, 69, Mexican immigrants "rapists" who bring "drugs" and "crime" across the border.
"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're sending people that have lots of problems. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists," Trump said while throwing his hat into the ring.
Trump insisted his words were taken out of context.
"I never singled out Mexico," Trump explained to ET.
"What I said is that people are coming across the border and they are coming through Mexico. Mexico is doing very little to stop it, that I can tell you. They are coming from all over the place, but it's illegal immigration. They come in unlawfully and there is tremendous crime around the people that are coming in."
Cheryl Burke and rapper Flo Rida pulled out of the annual beauty contest.
NBC and Univision will not to air Miss USA. Colombian singer J Balvin canceled his performance. Trump is now suing Univision for $500 million.
The pageant will be in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 12 as planned.
Source: KPopStarz.com, July 3, 2015