Miss Maine, Emily Johnson, gave up a chance at Miss USA when she found out it conflicted with her sister's wedding.
Emily Johnson, an accomplished pianist and amateur to beauty pageants, was thrilled to be crowned Miss Maine USA last August. The 23-year-old had been training to hit the national stage in the Miss USA competition in April in front of Donald Trump and millions of TV viewers. If she won that, she’d be awarded a valuable prize package including a diamond tiara, a custom wardrobe, a free New York City apartment for a year, and a two-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy, as well as an opportunity to compete as Miss Universe.
Although the upcoming pageant could have the potential to lead Johnson to fame and fortune, she’s decided to sacrifice her moment in the spotlight for something far more important: her sister’s wedding.
As it turns out, the Miss USA pageant has been moved from April to June this year. Johnson didn’t learn about the conflict until after she’d committed to take part in her older sister’s wedding.
“That was the only date the entire year I couldn’t do it,” Johnson told the Portland Press Herald. “For a while, I was bawling my eyes out. I was so devastated.”
But Johnston knew that family was far more important than a chance at fame, and so she decided to sacrifice her shot at Miss USA to take her place in the wedding. She’s given up the Miss Maine title to the first runner-up, and wishes the new contestant well.
“This year is looking different than I ever expected it to look,” she said. “But I couldn’t be happier.”