Andrea Mandell

USA TODAY

The newly crowned Miss Teen USA is coming under fire for an alleged history of racist tweets.

Hours after Miss Texas Teen USA Karlie Hay was named the winner of the beauty pageant in Las Vegas on Saturday night, commentators began referencing old tweets featuring the N-word from Hay's now-private personal account.

USA TODAY could not verify the veracity of the tweets, which were dated from 2013 and 2014, but Hay immediately jumped on Twitter at the pageant's @RealMissTXteen account to offer her side of the story.

“I admit that I have used language publicly in the past which I am not proud of and that there is no excuse for," Hay tweeted. "Through hard work, education and thanks in large part to the sisterhood that I have come to know through pageants, I am proud to say that I am today a better person. I am honored to hold this title and I will use this platform to promote the values of The Miss Universe Organization, and my own, that recognize the confidence, beauty and perseverance of all women."

It's the second PR hit the pageant has taken in the past 24 hours, after social media erupted over Miss Teen USA's top five contestants, who were all blond-haired and blue-eyed.

The Miss Universe Organization called Hay's language "unacceptable" late Sunday, but stood by her.

"The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of The Miss Universe Organization," the statement read. "As Karlie stated, she was in a different place in her life and made a serious mistake she regrets and for which she sincerely apologizes. Karlie learned many lessons through those personal struggles that reshaped her life and values. We as an organization are committed to supporting her continued growth."

Miss Teen USA pageant stumbles over diversity