Texas Teen Beauty Queen Sues to Keep Crown

A lawsuit has been filed pitting beauty queen Domonique Ramirez against the Miss San Antonio Pageant that placed the crown on her head - and then 9-months later replaced her with the runner-up. Pageant organizers say 17-year-old Ramirez was insubordinate, overweight at times, and chronically late to events that required her presence.

Linda Woods, President of the Board of Directors for the Miss Bexar County Organization, Inc. said, "She had every excuse in the world: that she didn't know. Or she couldn't get there. Or she forgot about it. I mean there was always a reason why." Woods said the final straw came when Ramirez modeled for a bridal show, despite being told not to by pageant organizers. Wearing wedding gowns got the teenager an email last week notifying her that the title was no longer hers.

"I mean we were left with no choice; it was jeopardizing the image of Miss San Antonio and the organization," said Woods. Now, Ramirez has responded by taking the beauty contest to court. "I think that they're just trying to kick me out," said Ramirez, who broke down in tears at her news conference, overwhelmed, she said by the nature of the accusations against her.

Flanked at a table by her mother and father, Ramirez said she was unable to make events because the pageant never sent cars or chaperones to get her, which she said was part of the contract. As for not fitting in some of the outfits she was given to wear, the 17-year old said she made changes to her diet and began exercising.

Ramirez said, "I have been working very hard and I have made changes to my lifestyle to fit what they want. And it does make me very frustrated because I'm doing everything asked of me. But still, I'm being told that I am a failure." Ramirez enlisted the help of LULAC lawyers, who quickly filed for an injunction to let her keep the crown pending a hearing. And instead of a stage, this contest and the judge will be in district court.

"If I get my crown, great. If I don't, the only thing I'm asking is to clear my name. I'm 17. I shouldn't have to be slandered like this and my future shouldn't have to be ruined over this," said Ramirez.

A lawsuit has been filed pitting beauty queen Domonique Ramirez against the Miss San Antonio Pageant that placed the crown on her head - and then 9-months later replaced her with the runner-up. Pageant organizers say 17-year-old Ramirez was insubordinate, overweight at times, and chronically late to events that required her presence.

Linda Woods, President of the Board of Directors for the Miss Bexar County Organization, Inc. said, "She had every excuse in the world: that she didn't know. Or she couldn't get there. Or she forgot about it. I mean there was always a reason why." Woods said the final straw came when Ramirez modeled for a bridal show, despite being told not to by pageant organizers. Wearing wedding gowns got the teenager an email last week notifying her that the title was no longer hers.

"I mean we were left with no choice; it was jeopardizing the image of Miss San Antonio and the organization," said Woods. Now, Ramirez has responded by taking the beauty contest to court. "I think that they're just trying to kick me out," said Ramirez, who broke down in tears at her news conference, overwhelmed, she said by the nature of the accusations against her.

Flanked at a table by her mother and father, Ramirez said she was unable to make events because the pageant never sent cars or chaperones to get her, which she said was part of the contract. As for not fitting in some of the outfits she was given to wear, the 17-year old said she made changes to her diet and began exercising.

Ramirez said, "I have been working very hard and I have made changes to my lifestyle to fit what they want. And it does make me very frustrated because I'm doing everything asked of me. But still, I'm being told that I am a failure." Ramirez enlisted the help of LULAC lawyers, who quickly filed for an injunction to let her keep the crown pending a hearing. And instead of a stage, this contest and the judge will be in district court.

"If I get my crown, great. If I don't, the only thing I'm asking is to clear my name. I'm 17. I shouldn't have to be slandered like this and my future shouldn't have to be ruined over this," said Ramirez.

A lawsuit has been filed pitting beauty queen Domonique Ramirez against the Miss San Antonio Pageant that placed the crown on her head - and then 9-months later replaced her with the runner-up. Pageant organizers say 17-year-old Ramirez was insubordinate, overweight at times, and chronically late to events that required her presence.

Linda Woods, President of the Board of Directors for the Miss Bexar County Organization, Inc. said, "She had every excuse in the world: that she didn't know. Or she couldn't get there. Or she forgot about it. I mean there was always a reason why." Woods said the final straw came when Ramirez modeled for a bridal show, despite being told not to by pageant organizers. Wearing wedding gowns got the teenager an email last week notifying her that the title was no longer hers.

"I mean we were left with no choice; it was jeopardizing the image of Miss San Antonio and the organization," said Woods. Now, Ramirez has responded by taking the beauty contest to court. "I think that they're just trying to kick me out," said Ramirez, who broke down in tears at her news conference, overwhelmed, she said by the nature of the accusations against her.