The new
Miss America 2020
Camille Schrier is standing by her comment that contestants in the competition shouldn't be married or have children.
Schrier's controversial remark came just minutes before she was crowned the newest Miss America on Thursday night, after being asked by judge Lauren Ash whether Miss America should be allowed to be married or have kids; since the pageant began in 1921, winners have been single and without children.
"Quite honestly, when I go to schools I teach kids all the time about the difference between Miss and Mrs and that's a fun opportunity for me to explain why I am an unmarried woman," Schrier said in response to the question. "I think really that pays homage to the tradition of being a Miss America and I think it's something that should be kept."
The new Miss America Camille Schrier did not backtrack from her response during a press conference following her win, even after judge Karamo Brown spoke out against it on live television
"I think that Miss America is a very unique job and, quite honestly, I'm worried about what I'm going to do with my cats at home right now when I take this job and I'm on the road constantly," Schrier told outlets, including Insider, during the press conference at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Thursday night.
"I think, just logistically, it would not be something that would be possible," she continued. "I don't think that you could do both well."
The biochemist, who has two undergraduate degrees and is currently studying for her doctor of pharmacy, added that she had taken a year off her education to be Miss Virginia.
"I wouldn't have been able to spend enough time being Miss Virginia or being in school and I wouldn't have done either of those well," she said.
Schrier also called Miss America a "very special job" that requires the winner to "dedicate all of your time, all of your energy."
"I stand by my answer, but I can understand the way that we might be able to include other people," she said. "And, of course, I respect women who are working moms and doing other things. But this is a very different job I think."
Schrier was not the only Miss America contestant who said she believed contestants shouldn't be married or have children
Miss Georgia Victoria Hill agreed with Schrier's statement when she was given the chance to respond to the question: "Miss America has never been able to be married or had children. Tell us why they should, or should not be, in this competition."
"I think it's also really important that Miss America be a single woman, not dating anybody or in a relationship so that she can be fully dedicated to her job," Hill told the judges.
Just before the winner was announced, judge Karamo Brown made sure he got a chance to quickly speak out against the women's responses. Later, fellow judge Kelly Rowland said she agreed with Brown.
"Ladies, you both did a phenomenal job tonight. You were so authentic and vulnerable and open," the "Queer Eye" star began.
"I disagree, I believe women with kids could be Miss America," he continued. "But you know, I just gotta say that no matter which one of you gets the crown, I already know that you will represent."
Brown stood by his own comments during the press conference, and received support from fellow judge Kelly Rowland.
"I felt it was important that there be a counter voice in case there is a mother out there who is watching this, because we never know the circumstances of how anyone becomes a parent," Brown said.
"If there's one young parent who is in college and trying to get her degree, or just working and wants to be in the Miss America pageant, I felt like it was important for her to know that she can do it and that there are no limitations," he continued. "Maybe this might not be the year or this might not be the competition, but there could be another one, so don't stop and never give up."
Rowland, who is a mother herself, agreed.
"I was so happy that Karamo said that," the former Destiny's Child member said. "I was like, 'I second that.'"
"We're approaching our next decade 2020," she added. "We can do whatever, whenever, and however we want, we make the rules."
Representatives for the Miss America Organization did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.