Something's A-Miss, USA

A deep dive Kate put together last minute about the controversy surrounding the Miss USA pageant late last week when contestants claimed the pageant was "rigged" and/or a product of overt favoritism toward Miss Texas. Insisting she was mostly disinterested, Kate dipped her toe in, then managed to spend the whole weekend researching history, and lore, thinking about her own memories watching, all while developing an incredibly lukewarm take on a topic she knows very little about and isn't totally sure if she should support. Kate recalls covering the following: A breakdown of the Miss USA drama An appropriate reading from pop culture scripture: Chapter: Miss SC, Verse 2007 Kate asks questions about the ethics of favoritism, while clearly implying favoritism almost the entire episode Tugboat eats a cup of Ranch by accident Research about the historical context of women's exploitation for sport that she kind of hates but would've wholeheartedly done for validation An overview of the history of pageants in the U.S. and all the many ways we never stood a chance Greg interrupts for more IVF shots, Kate gets in bad mood Then maybe blames Molly McIntyre's performance in the only pageant that matters (Miss Victory) for the downfall of women Somehow Pretty Pretty Princess gets dragged into it There's still some leftover anger toward children doing a little too much food prep under age 3 on Tiktok Various catchphrases for influencer pipelines that are the hottest launchpads to stardom Kate imagines (hallucinates?) a Jovani insurrection if the Miss USA vote was stolen And so much more! Fortunately, a much more informative second episode featuring an interview with an incredible BTI5 listener/former pageant participant/former employee (Cori Wallace) in the corporate pageant system will be released in the coming days, likely early released on Patreon, this was a last-minute topic choice so thanks for your patience as we align it with the broadcast calendar! patreon.com/bethereinfive SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Helix is offering up to 200 dollars off all mattress orders AND two free pillows for our listeners! Go to HelixSleep.com/bethereinfive. With Helix, better sleep starts now If you want to elevate your look with style that doesn't break the bank, then-join the MVMT and get 15% off today — with FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURNS — by going to MVMT.COM/BETHEREINFIVE Build your fall wardrobe from the ground up. Visit marcfisherfootwear.com and use code BETHEREINFIVE to receive 20% off your entire purchase, valid until 12/31/22 Right now Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off your first three months. Visit ritual.com/BETHEREINFIVE and turn healthy habits into a Ritual