Gretchen Carlson: I 'never bullied' Miss America Cara Mund, her letter cost org $75,000

Carly Mallenbaum | USA TODAY

In a twist of irony, the most recent Miss America winner is accusing the Miss America Organization – one that's recently taken public steps in the name of female-empowerment – of bullying and silencing her.

In a five-page letter addressed to "Miss America Sisters" and obtained by USA TODAY on Friday, Cara Mund, Miss America 2018, calls out Miss America CEO Regina Hopper and chair Gretchen Carlson for having "silenced me, reduced me, marginalized me, and essentially erased me in my role as Miss America in subtle and not-so-subtle ways on a daily basis." Mund hinted at trouble with the organization earlier this month in an interview with The Press of Atlantic City.

Mund says she was forced to stick to specific talking points, was "not important enough" to do big interviews – those were reserved for Carlson, and she was told that it was Mund's fault sponsors dropped the Miss America Organization.

More: Gretchen Carlson takes on the 'shocking epidemic' of sexual harassment

Earlier: Miss America axes swimsuit competition

The Miss America Organization released a statement Friday afternoon in response to Mund's letter.

"It is disappointing that she chose to air her grievances publicly not privately. Her letter contains mischaracterizations and many unfounded accusations. We are reaching out to her privately to address her concerns," says the statement. "The Miss America Organization supports Cara.”

Carlson released a lengthy statement Sunday evening on Twitter, which conveyed she was "surprised and saddened beyond words" by Mund's letter.

"I also want to be clear that I have never bullied or silenced you," the statement read. "In fact, I have acknowledged to you and your parents many times that the organization understands the frustrations of serving during such a change-filled and stressful year... We've acknowledged your grievances, and taken many steps to try to make your experience a good one."

Carlson continued: "Actions have consequences. Friday, as an organization, we learned that $75,000 in scholarships which would have been the first scholarship increase in years, is no longer on the table as a direct result of the explosive allegations in your letter. The impact won't stop there – we are already seeing a negative ripple effect across the entire organization, and I am so concerned that it will the dilute the experience for the next woman selected to wear the crown."

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Carlson for a statement.

There are examples in Mund's letter that are reminiscent of the "Mean Girls" movie: Gretchen Carlson and Regina Hopper, like the Gretchen and Regina in the film, criticized Mund's clothes, mispronounced her name and spread misinformation about her, Mund says.

"The rhetoric about empowering women, and openness and transparency, is great; however, the reality is quite different. I am living that difference," writes Mund, who adds that her treatment in the organization, which crowned her in Atlantic City, fits the New Jersey definition of "workplace bullying."

Mund says, "Let me be blunt: I strongly believe that my voice is not heard nor wanted by our current leadership; nor do they have any interest in knowing who I am and how my experiences relate to positioning the organization for the future. I truly felt more valued, respected, and viewed as a real collaborator within my first three months rather than these last eight months. The differences in treatment are stark."

In the past year, Carlson, a former Miss America winner and Fox News host, has been vocal about the fact that Miss America is no longer a pageant with a swimsuit portion. She has also been promoting her book about stopping harassment, called "Be Fierce."

The 2019 Miss America Competition will broadcast live on Sept. 9 on ABC.

Earlier: Miss America made a welcome change. But let's not pretend pageants are the root of the problem.