Fake furs avert boycott of ‘Miss U.S.A.’ pageant

Press, 21 February 1987, Page 7

Fake furs avert boycott of ‘Miss U.S.A.’ pageant

NZPA-Reuter Albuquerque, N.M

Less than five hours before opening, “Miss United States” pageant officials averted a boycott by the programme’s master of ceremonies, an animal rights advocate who objected to the use of real fur.

The pageant host, Bob Barker, protested against having to appear on stage with beauty contestants clad in fur coats over swim suits. Real fur cames from real animals, which were often caught in steel-jawed traps and

left in excruciating pain for days, he said. In a hastily called press conference the pageant announced it would use fake fur coats instead for the production number. “I’m tremendously happy,” Barker, aged 63, a vegetarian and staunch animal rights advocate, said of the decision.

George Honchar, president of Miss Universe Inc,, producer of the pageant, said the fact that fake fur coats were being used would be announced to the show’s estimated half billion viewers worldwide;

Real fur coats have been given as prizes in past pageants, but Mr Honchar said the real coats that won’t be used might be used as prizes in future pageants, but not in pageant production numbers.

Michelle Renee Royer became the third consecutive Texan crowned “Miss United States” in a tearful but happy end to the pageant. Miss Royer, aged 21, a blue-eyed brunette from Keller, said “I wasn’t really sure it could be done three years in a row. I just tried to be myself.”