Latest news with #St.Cyr
Toronto Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Transgender contestant shares Jordon Hudson backstage chat at beauty pageant
'We had a conversation backstage and we were like, 'You know, the media hasn't necessarily been kind to us.'" Isabelle St. Cyr (left) and Jordon Hudson competed in the Miss Maine USA beauty pageant this month. Instagram, AP Photo 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. 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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 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. With both competitors under the microscope, St. Cyr and Hudson apparently found some common ground and shared a chat backstage. 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. '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.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hudson, a 24-year-old former cheerleader, also advised St. Cyr to know 'who's doing these articles and when you should be commenting.' St. Cyr, who represented the town of Monson at the competition, said that the pair spoke before the pageant to ensure 'there was no bad blood' after some media outlets attempted to pit the two against each other 'First trans woman versus Jordon Hudson, all those articles,' St. Cyr said. Jordon Hudson attends the Sports Illustrated Super Bowl party on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New Orleans. AP Photo '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.' St. Cyr, who has faced hateful comments about her transition, added that both she and Hudson expected to face backlash at the pageant. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More '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.' 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. During the interview, Hudson interrupted Dokoupil when he asked the coaching legend to talk about how he had met his much-younger flame. 'We're not talking about this,' Hudson said from her seat off-camera. 'No?' Dokoupil replied as he looked over at Hudson, who responded, 'No.' Dokoupil also described Hudson as a 'constant presence' during his interview with the eight-time Super Bowl champion and said neither of them were 'comfortable' with the topic. Since then, several concerning reports about the relationship between Belichick and Hudson have surfaced, including claims that the NFL icon may never coach an actual game at UNC. In the Miss Maine USA competition, Hudson finished in third place, behind runner-up Mara Carpenter and winner Shelby Howell, while St. Cyr was eliminated in the semifinal round. Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Editorial Cartoons Columnists Celebrity Olympics Celebrity
New York Post
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Transgender beauty pageant contestant reveals backstage conversation with Jordon Hudson over ‘bad blood' worries
Isabelle St. Cyr., the first transgender woman to compete the Miss Maine USA pageant, recalled bonding with Jordon Hudson over being at the center of negative media attention while competing in Portland over the weekend. During an interview with People on Monday, St. Cyr., who made it into the top 10 semifinalists, revealed advice she received from Hudson about how to properly prepare for and handle backlash in the press. '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,' said 24-year-old St. Cyr, who represented the town of Monson. 'I really appreciate her willingness to talk to me about the media coverage.' 3 Isabelle St. Cyr. is the first transgender woman to compete the Miss Maine USA pageant. Instagram/Isabelle St. Cyr. Hudson, also 24, advised to do proper research before speaking with the press and to know 'who's doing these articles and when you should be commenting,' St. Cyr said. St. Cyr explained that she and Hudson — who's in the midst of a media firestorm due to her relationship with UNC football coach Bill Belichick — spoke before the pageant to ensure 'there was no bad blood' due to headlines that pitted them against each other. 3 Jordon Hudson received the second runner up prize during the Miss Maine 2025 pageant Sunday, May 11, 2025. Toby Canham for NY Post 'First trans woman versus Jordon Hudson, all those articles,' St. Cyr said of some of the media coverage leading up to the pageant, where the 73-year-old Belichick was sitting in the front row. The coach supported Hudson amid the fallout from his 'CBS Sunday Morning' interview, which aired on April 27 and showed her interrupting a question about how the couple met. After that, multiple reports said Hudson is trying to control Belichick's career to bolster her resume. 3 Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson leave the Holiday inn in Portland, Maine after she came in third place or 2nd runner up in the Miss Maine USA competition on May 11, 2025. Toby Canham for NY Post 'It definitely made us both a lot more comfortable going into the pageant that night,' St. Cyr said of their conversation. '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, who is no stranger to hateful comments about her transition, went on to say that both she and Hudson expected to face backlash at the pageant. 'I think overall she just helped me to know that I wasn't the only one that was dealing with it, obviously,' she continues of Hudson. '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.' St. Cyr noted that their first interaction occurred at the pageant, which took place at a Holiday Inn Portland – By the Bay. However, they both had an 'unspoken' question of how they were going address the media frenzy. Both women made it to the semifinal round, the second day and final of the pageant on Sunday. Hudson finished in third place, behind runner-up Mara Carpenter and Miss Maine USA winner Shelby Howell. The former Bridgewater State University cheerleader and Belichick were spotted holding hands as they left the pageant together. Belichick is set to appear on ESPN Tuesday, followed by an interview with Michael Strahan on 'Good Morning America' Friday. It's unclear what Belichick will discuss and it's unknown if Hudson will be there.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The first transgender woman to compete in Miss Maine is a farmer who loves to dance
Apr. 16—Growing up, Isabelle St. Cyr begged to participate in a Little Miss pageant. She saw her sister and her close friend on the stage. She wanted to show off her years of dance training during the talent portion of the competition. She particularly loved to see the contestants walk in their gowns. "To see all of these people that I knew on a daily basis really transform and really embody their true selves and have so much confidence when they were on stage in their gowns — it was something I really wanted to do," she said. She will finally get her chance. St. Cyr, 24, will be the first openly transgender woman to participate in the Miss Maine pageant in May. She will walk the stage as Miss Monson, representing the town where she owns a farm and lives with her partner. She wants to use her platform to challenge stereotypes about trans people, a message that she feels is more important than ever as the Trump administration targets Maine for allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports. "There's no one way to be trans," St. Cyr said. "It's important now more than ever to break that mold and show people and show other trans people that you are not in a box. You do not have to do the things that people have set up for you. You can blaze your own path." Miss Universe, which includes Miss USA and is one of the largest beauty pageants in the world, has allowed trans women to participate since 2012. In 2021, Kataluna Enriquez was crowned Miss Nevada and then became the first openly trans woman to compete in Miss USA. But not all experiences are positive. Last month, a trans woman withdrew from the competition for Miss Georgia because she said the organization's actions did not align with her mission for inclusivity. St. Cyr said her experience so far has been positive and welcoming. Laurie Clemente is the executive director of the Clemente Organization, which presents the state pageants in Maine and Massachusetts. "She's been a joy to get to know," Clemente wrote about St. Cyr in an email. "I appreciate her positive outlook on life." REPRESENTING RURAL MAINE St. Cyr grew up in Howland. She understood her gender identity as a young child and came out to her parents when she was a teenager. In high school, she wore makeup and joined the cheerleading squad. She helped start a sexuality and gender awareness club. But St. Cyr also faced slurs, bullying and threats. "It definitely was not easy growing up being trans in such a rural area," St. Cyr said. "The things that I have today never seemed possible when I was 13, 14 years old." When she turned 18, she legally changed her name and moved to Bangor. She continued dancing and worked as a makeup artist, but missed her quiet hometown. Her "nana" kept chickens, and as a child, St. Cyr said she would help collect eggs and clean the coops. A couple of years ago, St. Cyr and her partner moved to their farmstead in Monson, where they raise animals, sell chicken and duck eggs, cultivate fruit trees and tend to the land. "I started to feel that calling to stay somewhere more rural so I could advocate for these people that are just like me, who grew up in a small town and do truly love it," St. Cyr said. She also held onto her pageant dreams. Every year, she watched the Miss Universe pageant. She felt inspired by Enriquez in 2021, and in December, applied to participate in Miss Maine. Pageant experience is not required; the contestants choose their title to represent a city, county, region or landmark. St. Cyr chose Miss Monson to reflect the town where she has built her life. "It's important that people know that there are trans women that live in these rural areas," she said. Gia Drew, executive director of Equality Maine, agreed. "There's this idea that all LGBTQ people or trans people only live in the larger cities of Maine," Drew said. "We live here too, but it doesn't mean that we don't grow up and exist in the rural towns of Maine." CHARACTER AND CONFIDENCE The Miss Maine pageant will take place in Portland on May 10 and 11. According to the website, each division usually has 25 to 50 contestants who are judged in three areas: interview, swimsuit and evening gown (there is no talent portion). The criteria include "character, poise, confidence and personality." Clemente said the titleholder is actively involved in the community and partners with charities to advocate for important causes. The judges are also looking for someone who will represents the state in the national Miss USA pageant. St. Cyr said the interview is a significant portion of the final score. Her years of experience as a dancer and a cheerleader means she is comfortable on stage, but she feels more nervous about that Q&A. She also feels new stress under the Trump administration, but she is trying to prepare herself and the people she cares about for negative backlash. "The negative backlash is inevitable when you're a trans person pretty much doing anything in America," she said. "I think I'll be able to handle it well and with grace and continue to represent for not just transgender women, but women as a whole." Drew said she has also seen positive posts on social media from people who are cheering for St. Cyr in her pageant. "What a wonderful opportunity it is for Isabelle, and also for other trans people to know this is a possibility," Drew said. St. Cyr said her family and friends have supported her by doing mock interviews and joining her on shopping trips. She has chosen her evening gown and her swimwear. "That's the part I'm most excited for," she said. "To walk that stage confidently, as myself, in a bathing suit that makes me feel beautiful." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Fox News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordon Hudson to compete vs trans model in Miss Maine pageant
Bill Belichicks' 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson will be competing in the Miss Maine USA Beauty Pageant in May. Hudson finished as the first runner-up in last year's contest. "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. One of Hudson's competitors will be trans model Isabelle St. Cyr. St. Cyr will be the first openly trans contestant in the pageant's 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. 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," St. Cyr wrote in a Facebook post on March 25. "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 heated 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 has filed a lawsuit against the state over the issue, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced at a press conference Wednesday, and the USDA issued a funding freeze to the state on April 2. The state has filed their own lawsuit against the Trump administration over the funding freeze, and a federal judge ordered the administration to unfreeze the funding on Friday. Meanwhile, a coalition of Maine civilians has strongly opposed Mills and Democratic authorities since the issue began, prompting heated tension and debate among residents over trans inclusion and women's rights. Multiple rallies have been held in the state capital of Augusta by residents who oppose trans inclusion. A Maine parent named Nick Blanchard recently garnered national attention after he was cut off at a school board meeting in Augusta while he discussed the controversial issue and he launched a petition to have a school administrator removed from her position for supporting trans inclusion. High schooler Cassidie Carlisle spoke at one of the rallies in Augusta opposing Mills' stance and made a trip to the White House to discuss the issue on Feb. 27. Carlisle took action after losing to a trans athlete in cross-country and Nordic skiing competitions. Six years ago, she had to share a locker room with a trans athlete during a middle school gym class. Now, the state's ongoing culture war over trans inclusion in women's spaces could shift the upcoming Miss Maine pageant in Portland, starting May 10, as St. Cyr's presence could prompt further debate. St. Cyr said she entered the pageant before Trump's inauguration and before the topic of transgender athletes became an issue in Maine, according to Maine's Total Coverage. Hudson's, and potentially Belichick's presence at the competition will only brighten the national spotlight on it. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump administration to slash funding for enforcement of fair housing laws
President Donald Trump's administration has begun terminating grants to organizations that enforce the Fair Housing Act by taking complaints, investigating and litigating housing discrimination cases for Americans across the country, according to documents and information obtained by The Associated Press on Friday. The grants are disbursed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to private nonprofits, which act as the frontline enforcement of the federal anti-discrimination law passed in 1968. They educate communities on their rights, test whether a landlord is racially discriminating, investigate complaints, resolve disputes and can help with legal counsel. Of an estimated 34,000 fair housing complaints lodged in the U.S. in 2023, these private nonprofits processed 75%, according to a report from the National Fair Housing Alliance. The rest were fielded by state and local governments, with HUD and the U.S. Department of Justice working on less than 6% combined. It is the highest number of complaints since the first report in the 1990s, and over half were lodged for discrimination based on a disability. Now, of the 162 active grants going to the private nonprofits to do that work, nearly half are slated for cancellation, said Nikitra Bailey, executive vice president at the National Fair Housing Alliance. Bailey added that some organizations rely entirely on the grants and may have to shutter, others will have to lay off staff and limit services. 'It's doing it at a time when Americans want to see an end to the barrage of rising housing costs and a lack of housing supply,' Bailey said. 'They need increased support and intervention from our federal government, not a withdrawal from basic civil rights.' In a statement, a spokesperson for HUD said: 'The Department is responsible for ensuring our grantees and contractors are in compliance with the President's Executive Orders. If we determine they are not in compliance, then we are required to take action. The Department will continue to serve the American people, including those are facing housing discrimination or eviction.' The 'program really exists because the fair housing laws don't enforce themselves,' said Maureen St. Cyr, executive director of Massachusetts Fair Housing Center, a group that's grant is being terminated. 'People need lawyers to make those rights a reality.' St. Cyr listed several scenarios the nonprofit has helped with: a family being denied housing because they have children, a veteran with a disability needing a ramp and a domestic abuse survivor being evicted because of the actions of the abuser. 'We are doing a lot of work with pretty minimal money,' St. Cyr said. The grants intended for fair housing enforcement, part of HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program, are largely worth $425,000, an amount which is typically issued annually to organizations. In a termination letter, a copy of which was obtained by the AP, HUD said that the cancellations were at the direction of Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, called DOGE, run partly by billionaire Elon Musk. The letters caused widespread confusion across the country late Thursday night, as fair housing organizations started communicating through listservs, assessing the potential impacts and trying to find answers. One of the organizations slated to lose funding, Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit, fields about 200 to 300 fair housing complaints a year and works broadly to resolve housing related problems, such as disputes with landlords, with a coverage area of some 4 million people. 'It's a significant threat to the viability of our organization at a minimum,' said Steve Tomkowiak, the group's executive director. 'It can threaten the survival of any of the fair housing enforcement organizations.' For Kimberly Merchant, CEO of Mississippi Center for Justice, the kneecapping of fair housing groups, or their disappearance altogether, would be 'open season to discriminate indiscriminately without having to worry about being checked.' ___ Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Jesse Bedayn, The Associated Press
