Latest news with #IsabelleStCyr
National Post
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Transgender contestant shares Jordon Hudson backstage chat at beauty pageant
Article content Neither Isabelle St. Cyr nor Jordon Hudson won this past weekend's Miss Maine USA pageant, but they certainly were the most talked about contestants. Article content Article content St. Cyr became the first transgender woman to compete in the annual beauty pageant while Hudson has been caught in a media firestorm alongside boyfriend Bill Belichick, the 73-year-old NFL coaching legend. Article content With both competitors under the microscope, St. Cyr and Hudson apparently found some common ground and shared a chat backstage. Article content In an interview with People earlier this week, St. Cyr revealed Hudson's advice during their conversation at the contest about preparing for and handling the press. Article content 'We had a conversation backstage and we were like, 'You know, the media hasn't necessarily been kind to us.' We just kind of talked about how we've dealt with it, how to move forward, how to remain positive and when to comment and not to comment,' St. Cyr, 24, said. 'I really appreciate her willingness to talk to me about the media coverage.' Article content Article content Hudson, a 24-year-old former cheerleader, also advised St. Cyr to know 'who's doing these articles and when you should be commenting.' Article content 'It definitely made us both a lot more comfortable going into the pageant that night,' St. Cyr added of their chat. 'I think we both wanted to make it clear that we had nothing to do with it and that we were just happy to be competing. So I was very thankful for that.' Article content St. Cyr, who has faced hateful comments about her transition, added that both she and Hudson expected to face backlash at the pageant. Article content 'I think overall she just helped me to know that I wasn't the only one that was dealing with it, obviously,' St. Cyr said. 'And she admits that a lot of backlash still showed up to the pageant that night to compete, and I as well, with a lot of backlash and a lot of people saying that I shouldn't be there.' Article content Hudson has come under intense scrutiny after an interview on CBS Sunday Morning last month featuring Belichick went viral. During the current University of North Carolina coach's sit-down with Tony Dokoupil, Hudson reportedly interrupted several times and caused a half-hour delay after storming off set, according to TMZ. Article content Bill Belichick talks to @tonydokoupil about his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson defending it by saying he's 'never been too worried about what everybody else thinks.' — CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) April 27, 2025 Article content During the interview, Hudson interrupted Dokoupil when he asked the coaching legend to talk about how he had met his much-younger flame. Article content Article content 'We're not talking about this,' Hudson said from her seat off-camera. Article content 'No?' Dokoupil replied as he looked over at Hudson, who responded, 'No.' Article content
Fox News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Transgender Miss Maine USA competitor reveals Jordon Hudson conversation
Isabelle St. Cyr, a transgender beauty pageant competitor who competed in Miss Maine USA over the weekend, opened up about an interaction with Jordon Hudson behind the scenes. Hudson was the second runner-up in the pageant amid a tumultuous few weeks that started when she shut down a question for her boyfriend Bill Belichick about how the two met. The interruption was during Belichick's CBS interview about his new book in which he described Hudson as his "creative muse." St. Cyr said the conversation with Hudson was about the media scrutiny they both received coming into the pageant. "We had a conversation backstage and we were like, 'You know, the media hasn't necessarily been kind to us.' We just kind of talked about how we've dealt with it, how to move forward, how to remain positive and when to comment and not to comment," St. Cyr told People in a story published Tuesday. "I really appreciate her willingness to talk to me about the media coverage." St. Cyr lamented the media coverage and said they both expected negativity because "that's how people get clicks." St. Cyr said Hudson helped her realize they were not alone in that regard. "And she admits that a lot of backlash still showed up to the pageant that night to compete, and I as well, with a lot of backlash and a lot of people saying that I shouldn't be there." Shelby Howell, of Bangor, was named Miss Maine USA. St. Cyr, of Monson, was a semifinalist. Hudson, who represented Hancock, won the "style" award. Hudson appeared to have a message for critics during the event. She was asked how she was doing before launching into her answer. "I'm feeling an immense amount of pride right now," she said via Mass Live. "I hope anyone who's watching this finds the strength to push through whatever it is that they're going through and embodies that hate never wins." When asked what moment in life she would want to go back to, Hudson said she wished she could be transported back to her family's fishing boat. "I think about this often because there's a mass exodus for fishermen occurring in the rural areas of Maine, and I don't want to see more fishermen leave this place," she said. "As your next Miss Maine USA, I would make a point to go to communities… to go into the government and advocate for these people so that they don't have to think about these memories as a past moment." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Trans Miss Maine beauty pageant contestant reveals encounter with Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson
Bill Belichick 's girlfriend Jordon Hudson had an encounter backstage with the transgender contestant she was competing against in the Miss USA Maine pageant. The 24-year-old Hudson, who finished as the first runner-up in last year's competition and is the subject of intense media scrutiny due to her ties to the famous Super Bowl-winning coach, competed against trans contestant Isabelle St. Cyr. St. Cyr, also 24, became the first openly trans competitor in the event's history after being crowned the winner of Miss Monson, the pageant in her Maine town. The pair each finished in the top ten, with Hudson coming in third place before she and Belichick were spotted walking out of the pageant with a sour look on the North Carolina coach's face. Hudson and St. Cyr apparently had a brief meeting of the minds and according to St. Cyr, they bonded over their shared media scrutiny. 'We had a conversation backstage and we were like, 'You know, the media hasn't necessarily been kind to us.' We just kind of talked about how we've dealt with it, how to move forward, how to remain positive and when to comment and not to comment,' she told People. St. Cyr, who like Hudson was semifinalist but didn't win the competition, added that Hudson was gracious when talking about dealing with the press. 'I really appreciate her willingness to talk to me about the media coverage,' St. Cyr said. The transgender pageant contestant was worried about being pitted against Hudson by the media, admitting: 'that's how people get clicks.' However, St. Cyr confirmed that 'there was no bad blood' between the competitors - who had never met before the contest - and if anything, the meeting with Hudson was beneficial. 'It definitely made us both a lot more comfortable going into the pageant that night,' she said. Hudson advised St. Cyr to do her homework before she spoke with the media and to find out 'who's doing these articles and when you should be commenting.' Overall, the vibes between the pair were supporting and neither was willing to make a public spectacle of the other. 'I think we both wanted to make it clear that we had nothing to do with it and that we were just happy to be competing. So I was very thankful for that.' St. Cyr said that Hudson understood 'that a lot of backlash' was drawn by both of them. 'We showed up and competed and we both made it to the second day,' she said of the pageant itself. 'So I think that that shows a lot of what you can do when you don't let negativity step in front of you and your dream.' St. Cyr only added media scrutiny to the contest after it was announced she would be competing. 'When I started cheerleading I had all the odds stacked against me. So much pushback, so many people telling me it wasn't a space for me,' St. Cyr wrote in a Facebook post on March 25. 'But I fought for what I loved and I ended up being a very successful cheerleader, winning state and national titles and inspiring people to join even if they hadn't been doing it their whole life. 'I sense a similar trajectory in my ongoing journey with pageants. I believe I have everything it takes to be Miss Maine USA and I know that no amount of experience can match a true passion and drive to accomplish something.' It comes with Donald Trump's administration locked in a legal battle with the woke state over its failure to comply with the government's push to ban transgender athletes in girls and women's sports. St. Cyr told Maine's Total Coverage that she had already entered the pageant before Trump took office. Shelby Howell was declared the winner of Miss Maine USA, with Mara Carpenter also finishing ahead of Hudson. St. Cyr only added media scrutiny to the contest after it was announced she would be competing Hudson and Belichick made a swift exit after she failed to win – with the former cheerleader putting on a brave face and smiling as they pulled away from the hotel. She was still in her purple evening gown and Hancock sash as she clutched the hand of her lover as they were escorted out of the property from a secluded garage with their bodyguard. Belichick remained expressionless as they walked the short distance in the underground car park, with the brunette continuing to strut her stuff and wave at the camera. He was seen scowling at her behind the wheel of the car as she pointed at her bedazzled bag again as they pulled away in the 2025 Mercedes Benz GLE 580, worth $89,200. However, they both grinned as they waved at their bodyguard for the weekend, flashing peace signs as Bill drove them away from the event. Jordon declined any interviews, but was quick to thank those who told her that she looked incredible in the purple floor length gown with a slit, paired with silver heels. It comes after she placed second runner-up (third) in the contest – one place lower than she was in 2024. Her older beau was pictured with her father, Heath, 52, for the first time since their relationship became public. Before the final placing was announced, she gave an emotional speech in front of her father and Belichick, saying 'hate never wins'. The eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach Belichick was escorted in by security before shaking hands with Heath Hudson, 52, and smiling at him ahead of the pageant getting started. Heath was also escorted to the front row seats by the former Navy veteran for the second day of the event, hoping to see his daughter, 24, don the winners tiara. Jordon was, however, awarded the Style award by the judges with Belichick and her father watching on. It comes after fans questions if Hudson's parents supported the relationship, despite having an age gap of around 12 years themselves. But the pair were seen happily chatting ahead of Hudson strutting her stuff on the stage, with sources confirming Bill has visited her childhood home in Hancock previously. Despite a special segment of the show dedicated to Mothers Day, Hudson was the only contestant not to record a message for her mother. Hudson's smiling display at the Miss Maine contest comes less than 24 hours after revealed that she almost quit the contest before it had even begun, amid a backlash against her relationship with Belichick. Sources close to the 'headstrong' 24-year-old cheerleader revealed that she had been thinking about dropping out after the disastrous CBS interview aired of her interrupting on behalf of 49-years-older beau.
Fox News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Bill Belichick's girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, losing Miss Maine USA fan vote to transgender competitor
The 2025 Miss Maine USA pageant will feature Bill Belichick's 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, looking to claim the crown after finishing as runner-up last year. But if the early fan voting is any indication, Hudson could be in line for a lower finish. The online vote, which allows the public to vote for a favorite contestant for $1 per vote, showed Hudson way behind for first place with just over 220 votes at the time of publication. The model who wins the online vote will also win the People's Choice Award and an automatic entry into the pageant's semifinals. Ahead of Hudson is Isabelle St. Cyr with over 440 votes at the time of publication. St. Cyr is the first transgender model to compete in the Miss Maine USA competition in its history after previously winning the local Miss Monson USA pageant in the Maine town of Monson. "When I started cheerleading I had all the odds stacked against me," St. Cyr wrote in a March 25 Facebook post. "So much pushback, so many people telling me it wasn't a space for me. But I fought for what I loved and I ended up being a very successful cheerleader, winning state and national titles and inspiring people to join even if they hadn't been doing it their whole life. "I sense a similar trajectory in my ongoing journey with pageants. I believe I have everything it takes to be Miss Maine USA and I know that no amount of experience can match a true passion and drive to accomplish something." Maine has been a battleground for the ongoing national conflict between blue state officials and the federal government over the issue of trans athletes in women's and girls sports since February. Gov. Janet Mills and education officials have taken a hard stand to enable trans inclusion amid immense federal pressure by President Donald Trump's administration. The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state over the issue. Hudson is competing to represent Maine fishing families after her family's fishing business went bankrupt when she was a child. "As the daughter of displaced fishermen, I care to use my voice to protect the fleeting tradition and heritage of Maine fishing families, to prevent others from going through the same plight as what mine had to go through," Hudson wrote on Instagram. On Saturday afternoon, the Maine online vote page crashed, so updated results are unknown. The most recent leader in the online vote before the crash was University of Southern Maine student Lexi Bjork with over 1,400 votes. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
8 Rules Miss Maine USA Pageant Contestants Have to Follow (Yes, Including Jordon Hudson)
The Miss Maine USA pageant takes place this weekend and it's already causing a lot of buzz. There are several notable names among this year's contestants, including Isabelle St. Cyr, the first transgender contestant to compete in the pageant, and Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson. Hudson, who is a Maine native raised in Hancock, announced her pageant participation with an Instagram post on April 9 in celebration of International Pageant Day. She revealed that she'll be representing her hometown in the competition. According to the Miss Maine USA website, the pageant is produced by the Clemente Organization and its founders Laurie Clemente and her husband Anthony. They also helm the state pageant in Massachusetts. "The Clemente Organization stresses the importance of good sportsmanship, a strong sense of character, and building friendships, and provides a forum for young woman to reach their goals in a positive environment," per the website. Miss Maine USA, which is a part of the Miss Universe Organization, has evolved its rules in recent years. They include eligibility guidelines, outfits contestants must wear, various rounds participants must endure and more. According to the Miss Maine USA website, organizers are searching for "diverse young women" who possess more than just beauty, emphasizing intelligence and willingness to "share their hearts and minds as ambassadors" of the state and nation. "Winning titles of this magnitude catapults young women to instant fame where they simultaneously become role models," the site continues. "There is no end to the possibilities and opportunities that await, and their year as titleholders is certain to be one full of personal growth and development." Ahead of the pageant this weekend, read on for the rules Miss Maine USA contestants must follow! Related: 11 Rules Miss USA Contestants Have to Follow (Including a Few New Ones) Those interested in participating in Miss Maine USA must meet a specific age requirement, per the organization's website. They must be born in 2006 or earlier, making contestants 18 years or older. If interested and younger than 18 (born between 2006 and 2010), contestant hopefuls can apply for Miss Teen USA. If born in 2006, applicants can choose either division to compete. Contestants must be United States citizens to compete in Miss Maine USA, including being born in the states or through naturalization. If not, participation is not allowed. In 2012, the Miss USA pageant changed its rules to be more inclusive of transgender women, as previously reported by NPR. The Miss Maine USA website, states that contestants must "represent and warrant that you are a female," adding that they should be "recognized medically and legally as a female in the United States" to participate in the pageant. This year, Isabelle St. Cyr will be the first transgender woman to compete in the pageant, following the rule change. "I'm just doing it because I love pageants and I just happen to be trans,' St. Cyr told Maine's Piscataquis Observer. 'I want to show everyone that trans women absolutely can do this pageant and can do well.' Clemente Organization assistant director Ava Clemente also told the outlet, "The Miss Universe Organization is committed to being inclusive and reflective of the evolving values of our society... We celebrate all women who embody the values of confidence, community and empowerment that the Miss USA program represents." Those who want to participate in Miss Maine USA must be — you guessed it — a resident of Maine. Full-time college students in the state of Maine are also allowed. For Hudson, she's been vocal about her love for her hometown on social media. She has been a longtime champion of the fishing industry, and previously spoke to PEOPLE exclusively about her "nautical family history." The former Bridgewater State cheerleader has also voiced her political beliefs. In early March, Hudson issued a 'plea' in an open letter to the White House and Donald Trump, asking the president to reconsider the recent decision to cut the federally funded Maine Sea Grant. "I am Jordon and I speak for the fishermen," she wrote in part on Instagram in a lengthy caption. "I speak for the fishermen, for the fishermen who have no voice." Miss Maine USA consists of three competition phases, all of which contestants are required to participate in. For Miss Maine USA specifically, they include the swimsuit round, the evening gown round and the interview round. These rounds are preliminary and judged. "Contestants with the highest composite scores become semifinalists," per the organization's website. For the evening gown round, contestants must wear dresses that they selected themselves. "Attention is focused on each contestant's overall appearance, self-confidence, and the beauty she brings to the gown of her choice," per the event's site. "Judges are instructed to evaluate the contestant, not the dress she is wearing." While having previous pageant experience will only benefit a contestant, it isn't required to participate in Miss Maine USA. "No previous pageant experience is necessary," the organization's website reads. While Miss Maine USA has common rounds like swimsuit and evening gown, it does not have a talent round like other pageants. Read the original article on People
