Olivia O'Neil, Miss Teen Wanganui, Stripped Of Crown For Dyeing Hair

Fifteen-year-old beauty pageant winner Olivia O'Neil of New Zealand has been stripped of her Miss Teen Wanganui title after dyeing her blonde hair brown, the New Zealand Herald reports. Pageant organizer Barbara Osborne came across photos of the newly-brunette O'Neil on Facebook and asked her, "Is that a wig?" followed by comments like, "I hope it is, don't give me heart failure" and "Oh my God, I hope it's a demi."

When O'Neil replied that her new coif wasn't a wig, Osbourne responded, "Well you better decide, miss. Hand over your crown with an attitude like that. I'm sure someone will step into your place with manners." And to add insult to injury, when O'Neil gave back her crown, Osbourne reportedly told her that she "would not go far in this world."

In fact, pageant spokesman Jevan Goulter confirmed that O'Neil's crown was taken away simply because of her hair color, saying, "The expectation in holding the crown [was] that she maintain the image she had when she won it."

Goulter told 3 News, "When kids are younger, in a basketball situation they get yelled at by their coach--that's the reality--they get yelled at to 'do better, play harder', and be the best they can be--I'm not going to apologize for Barbara [Osbournes]'s actions."

O'Neil also spoke to the news channel, remarking, "Me having brown hair, it's my natural hair color, it's not like it would change my look that much--to the extent where I can't have the title Miss Teen Whanganui--I think it's just stupid."

According to the Wanaganui Chronicle, O'Neil said Osbourne sent her a private message telling O'Neil to seek legal advice. O'Neil explained Osbourne "tried to say giving up the crown was my choice, but it wasn't. She had already said that I had to give it back."

Now, O'Neil is speaking out so other girls will realize that the pageant world isn't necessarily nurturing for young women.

(Via Styleite.)