Miss USA 2017 Clarifies Controversial Statements About Healthcare And Feminism

Miss USA 2017 Kára McCullough is hoping to gain some redemption by clearing up the two controversial statements she made during the competition show on Sunday.

The 25-year-old who hails from D.C. was asked about healthcare and feminism, to which she responded with fairly conservative responses.

When asked if healthcare was a right or privilege, she said it was a privilege because she “had a job” that provided the option. And she also dismissed being a feminist, saying, “I try to not consider myself this die-hard. You know, ‘Ah, I don’t really care about men’ [person].”

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McCullough took home the prize —becoming the second contestant in a row from D.C. to win the honor— but also faced backlash for her sentiments. On Tuesday she appeared “Good Morning America” with Michael Strahan to clear up her remarks. 

“I believe that’s what America is based on, having opinions and views,” she told Strahan about the chatter on Twitter. “But I would like to take this moment to try just clarify, because I am a woman, and I want to own what I said. I am privileged to have healthcare and I do believe that it should be a right, and I hope and pray moving forward that healthcare is a right for all worldwide.”

Strahan noted that she only had 30 seconds to deliver an answer on stage, and asked if she would change anything she said.

“I would like to clarify,” she responded. “I want people to know where I’m coming from. I have a job and look at healthcare like it is a privilege.”

She also responded to the feminism answer she gave.

“Where I work at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ‘equalism’ is more of a term of understanding that no matter your gender, you are still given the same kind of accolades on your work. So I believe the person does a good job, they should be credited for that,” she said.

Adding, “But I don’t want anyone to look at it like I’m not for women’s rights, because I am. We deserve a lot when it comes to opportunity in the workplace. As well as leadership positions. And I’ve seen and witnessed firsthand the impact women have.”

Ok, sis. 

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[APPLAUSE] Please take your first look at. Miss USA. [APPLAUSE] [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] I'm definitely gonna say it's a privilege. As a government employee, I am granted healthcare. And I see firsthand, that for one to have healthcare, you need to have jobs So therefore we need to continue to cultivate this environment, that we're given the opportunity that healthcare as well as jobs to all the American citizens worldwide. [BLANK_AUDIO] So as a woman scientist in the government, I've like to lately transpose the feminism to equalism. [INAUDIBLE] I don't really wanna consider myself- [APPLAUSE] try not to consider myself like this die hard, like, I don't really care about men. But one thing I'm gonna say is, though, women, we are just as Equalize men when it comes to opportunity in the work place. [APPLAUSE] And I say first hand I've witnessed the impact that women have in leadership in the medical sciences as well as in the office environment. So as Miss USA I would hope to. To promote that type of leadership responsibility globally to so many women worldwide. [BLANK_AUDIO]