Miss Virginia Nikki Poteet has been
accused of using anti-gay slurs, media watchdog ThinkProgress.org
reported.
The 24-year-old Poteet is accused of
lashing out against her roommate, Derek Powell, and his boyfriend.
In a letter written to the Miss
Universe Organization, Powell claims that Poteet refereed to him and
his boyfriend, Chris, as “faggots” and “cocksuckers” during
an altercation that occurred around 2AM on Saturday, October 29 at
the Richmond group home they share.
Poteet denied the allegations but
conceded that she and Powell had quarreled.
“One of his friends proceeded to say
things that didn't need to be said,” she said.
According to Powell, an “extremely
intoxicated” Poteet was furious that he and his boyfriend were
hosting a party in the house.
“It's the first I've ever been
subjected to hateful words and things like that based on people's
sexuality,” Powell said. “It just got me infuriated. Someone
like her, who is supposed to be a role model for young girls to say
things like that. People need to be held accountable for their words
and their actions.”
Poteet vehemently denied the
accusations, adding that her “best friend in the world” is gay.
But the beauty queen quickly ended the conversation after she denied
breaking a door from a furniture cabinet during the party and
ThinkProgress.org confronted her with a text message in which she
admitted to breaking the door.