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Caitlin Upton

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Not to be confused with Kate Upton.
Caitlin Upton
Caite Upton smiling
Upton in July 2007
Born
Lauren Caitlin Upton

(1989-03-27) March 27, 1989 (age 35)
Lexington, South Carolina, U.S.
EducationAppalachian State University
OccupationReal estate agent
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Spouse
Charlie McNeil
​
​
(m. 2016; div. 2019)​
Children2
Beauty pageant titleholder
TitleMiss South Carolina Teen USA 2007
Hair colorBlonde
Eye colorHazel
Major
competition(s)		Miss Teen USA 2007

Caitlin "Caite" Upton (born Lauren Caitlin Upton; March 27, 1989, in Lexington, South Carolina) is an American actress, model, real estate agent, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2007 and represented South Carolina at Miss Teen USA 2007 where she placed third runner-up.

Career

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2007 Miss Teen USA pageant

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Upton became Miss South Carolina Teen USA for 2007 in the November 2006 state pageant. She went on to place as third runner-up in the Miss Teen USA 2007 pageant. Upton gained international notoriety for her awkward judged response to a question posed to her onstage during the August 2007 national pageant.[1][2] During the pageant, Upton responded to a question posed by judge Aimee Teegarden: "Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a world map. Why do you think this is?" Upton responded:

I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, um, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and, uh, I believe that our, uh, education like such as, uh, South Africa and, uh, the Iraq and everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future.[3][4]

As a guest on NBC's The Today Show shortly after the pageant, Upton told Ann Curry and Matt Lauer that she was overwhelmed when asked the question and did not comprehend it correctly.[5] The Today Show hosts gave Upton another opportunity to answer. She responded:

Well personally, my friends and I, we know exactly where the United States is on our map. I don't know anyone else who doesn't. And if the statistics are correct, I believe that there should be more emphasis on geography in our education so people will learn how to read maps better.[6]

Both Curry and Lauer, along with unseen crew members, applauded her response.[7]

Mental health struggles

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After her response at the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant went viral,[8] Upton experienced significant public criticism and personal difficulties.[9] In a 2015 interview with New York Magazine, she disclosed that the widespread backlash contributed to a period of severe depression and suicidal thoughts.[10][11] Upton described this time as "very dark" and noted that she kept her struggles private, confiding only in a few trusted individuals, including her fiancé, best friend, and eventually her mother.

Upton recounted specific incidents of harassment, including being taunted by a group of students at the University of South Carolina and receiving a threatening letter in her parents' mailbox. The letter contained hostile content, urging her to "go die" due to the pageant incident.[12] Upton credited her family and close friends with providing essential support during this difficult period.

Post pageant career

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Upton embraced and capitalized on the fame and exposure gained from her notorious pageant performance, going on to host and star in her own web series, "Learning Stuff" w/Caite Upton on the Soiled Britches and Atomic Elbow YouTube Premium Channels. She has also acted in numerous television and movie roles, including a supporting lead role in the myster/thriller "Neron," and guest star on the FEARnet comedy series "Holliston." She has appeared in numerous national commercials, on Tosh.O, as a correspondent for Jimmy Kimmel Live, as a contestant on CBS's "The Amazing Race," as a guest host on MTV's "Ridiculousness," and in a recurring role on the HBO series "Funny or Die." She has also modeled in numerous advertising campaigns and shot a Maxim spread and behind-the-scenes video for Maxim.com in 2010.[13]

Upton has also modeled in advertisements for companies such as Nautica and Wrangler and has appeared in national magazines such as Seventeen, Cosmo Girl, and American Cheerleader.[5] Upton later signed a deal with Donald Trump's modeling agency in New York City.[14]

Upton appeared in Weezer's music video "Pork and Beans", which was released on May 23, 2008, where the microphone she held became a lightsaber. In the same video, she blends "Maps" in a Blendtec blender.[15][16]

In 2010, Upton was a contestant on The Amazing Race 16, where she is credited as Caite Upton and finished the race in third place with her then-boyfriend Brent Horne.[17]

Tucker Carlson controversy

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In March 2019, audio clips surfaced of Tucker Carlson making controversial remarks about Upton in 2007 shortly after the pageant. Carlson, speaking on Florida-based radio program The Bubba the Love Sponge Show, repeatedly denigrated Upton's intelligence and speculated on her sexual behavior inappropriately.[18][19]

JD Vance controversy

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On August 29, 2024, Trump's running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, ahead of an interview that CNN would broadast that evening in which Trump's election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, explained some of her policy shifts, posted a video of Upton giving the infamous answer about maps with the caption "BREAKING: I have gotten ahold of the full Kamala Harris CNN interview."[20][21]

The post received criticism for reviving a moment in Upton's life that she had previously described as traumatic.[22][23]

In a follow-up interview with CNN,[24] Vance stated that he was unaware of the negative impact the clip has had on Upton's mental health. While he expressed goodwill towards Upton, he declined to apologize, suggesting that humor has a place in political discourse.[25][26]

Upton addressed the situation in a statement to Vanity Fair, noting her disappointment that the moment was still being referenced after 17 years. She highlighted the ongoing issue of online bullying and encouraged those experiencing similar challenges to seek support from relevant organizations,[27] stating, "It's a shame that 17 years later this is still being brought up. Regardless of political beliefs, one thing I do know is that social media and online bullying needs to stop."[21][28]

Personal life

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Upton married personal trainer Charlie McNeil in 2016 and they divorced in 2019.[29]

Political views

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Upton has posted and expressed support online for former president Donald Trump, conservative beliefs, and repeated Trump's false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him via of widespread voting fraud, and Students for Trump material.[21][28]

References

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  1. ^ Celizic, Mike (2007-08-28). "Miss South Carolina Teen USA explains herself – Caitlin Upton botched the map question because she was 'overwhelmed'". MSNBC. Archived from the original on 2016-11-15. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
  2. ^ "Miss Teen South Carolina makes her mark with flubbed response to geography question". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 2007-08-28. Archived from the original on August 31, 2007.
  3. ^ Adams, Richard (2007-08-27). "Now, where is America anyway?". The Guardian.
  4. ^ Thomas, Karen (2007-08-29). "That wasn't Miss South Carolina's final answer". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Miss South Carolina Teen USA explains herself". 28 August 2007. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Pageant Contestant Re-Answers Question". The Washington Post. Associated Press. 2007-08-28.
  7. ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (2007-08-28). "VIDEO: Miss S.C. Teen USA Says 'I Made a Mistake'". People.
  8. ^ Traister, Rebecca (2007-08-29). "Miss dumb blond USA?". Salon. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  9. ^ Webster, Emma Sarran (2015-12-04). "Why This Former Beauty Queen Contemplated Suicide After Becoming Internet Famous". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  10. ^ "Former Miss Teen USA contestant Caitlin Upton considered suicide after viral pageant blunder". New York Daily News. 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  11. ^ Webber, Stephanie (2015-12-02). "Miss South Carolina Teen USA Contemplated Suicide After Pageant Flub". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  12. ^ Lewis, Hilary (2015-12-03). "Ex-Miss Teen USA Contestant Contemplated Suicide After Viral Pageant Gaffe". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  13. ^ "CAITE UPTON by NTA Model Management".
  14. ^ staff (2007-09-20). "Miss Teen USA South Carolina signs up with Trump". News Limited. Archived from the original on 2007-10-29.
  15. ^ "New Weezer Music Video: "Pork and Beans" Starring Caitlin Upton". COED. 2008-05-23.
  16. ^ Scout, Web (June 7, 2008). "Weezer's YouTubian anthem". Los Angeles Times.
  17. ^ Rose, Adam J. (December 2, 2009). "Caitlin Upton: Former Miss Teen South Carolina May Join Amazing Race". Huffington Post.
  18. ^ "x.com".
  19. ^ Pitofsky, Marina. "Tucker Carlson under fire again for sexual, degrading comments toward 2007 Miss Teen USA contestant". USA TODAY.
  20. ^ Bickerton, James (August 30, 2024). "JD Vance Called Out After Comparing Kamala Harris to Miss Teen Contestant". Newsweek. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c Dougherty, Hugh (August 30, 2024). "Miss Teen USA Runner-Up Shames JD Vance for Cruel Video Post". Daily Beast. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  22. ^ Reporter, James Bickerton US News (2024-08-30). "JD Vance called out after comparing Kamala Harris to Miss Teen contestant". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  23. ^ "JD Vance's New Low Blow Shows Exactly What He Thinks Of Women, Critics Say". HuffPost. 2024-08-30. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  24. ^ Rittiner, Ellen (2024-08-30). 'I'm not going to apologize for posting a joke': Vance asked about post featuring Miss Teen USA contestant. CNN. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via www.cnn.com.
  25. ^ Evans, Greg (2024-08-30). "Former Miss Teen USA Contestant Decries Resurfacing Of Embarrassing Clip While JD Vance Refuses To Apologize". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  26. ^ Korach, Natalie (2024-08-30). "JD Vance Refuses to Apologize for Using Viral Beauty Queen Clip Against Kamala Harris". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  27. ^ Wickman, Kase (2024-08-30). "JD Vance's Latest Humor Fail: Mocking a Miss Teen USA Contestant". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  28. ^ a b "Trump backer Caite Upton accuses JD Vance of 'online bullying' for using her to mock Kamala Harris". Indy 100. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  29. ^ "Former Miss Teen USA Contestant Caitlin Upton's Divorce Settled". TMZ. October 8, 2019.
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