Miss Seattle

Miss Washington Apologizes for “Foolish” Photos



Elyse Umemoto, Miss Washington and second runner-up at Miss America 2008 apologized for the embarrassing pictures of her brought to the public eye by the gossip Web site TMZ.com.
Umemoto, who is also Miss Seattle, said the above mentioned pictures were stolen from her and police has been notified about the theft. During a press conference in downtown Tacoma she also said that the pictures were taken before she was designated Miss Washington.
The Pierce County resident described the photos which made it on the internet as “foolish.” Despite the scandal of the photos, the 24-year-old beauty will retain her Miss Washington title according to a contest official.
The “foolish” photos depicted Umemoto drinking, partying, making obscene gestures, flipping off the camera while wearing a crown and playing drinking games.
During the news conference held at the Hotel Murano, Umemoto said that she was wearing the Miss Seattle crown in the controversial pictures. She took those pictures during a private setting and her trust was violated, she told reporters.
Miss Washington is a Pacific Lutheran University student and she has taken a year off school.
“This is me genuinely apologizing, this is me genuinely admitting that I am only human,” she said.
Umemoto will not be disciplined for the controversial photos, said Miss Washington Scholarship Organization's field director, Mike Miller. He also said that the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has been notified about the alleged electronic theft.
“We are convinced that Elyse has learned a brutal but effective lesson and that any additional sanction we might impose will be overreacting,” Miller said.
A new Miss Washington will be chosen this weekend.