Two Miss N. Carolinas Head To Pageant

Two women will be introduced as "Miss North Carolina" at preliminary activities for the Miss America pageant, at least for this weekend, organizers said.

The pageant decided to accommodate dethroned queen Rebekah Revels, who has gone to court in an effort to be reinstated as North Carolina's representative, and Misty Clymer, the first runner-up awarded the crown after Revels resigned following the disclosure of revealing photographs.

"For the present time, we will consider Miss Revels to be a contestant and she will receive all the courtesies afforded a Miss America contestant," George Bauer, interim president and chief executive officer of the Miss America organization, said Friday night.

Bauer said organizers had not decided in which order the two contestants will be introduced in this weekend's activities in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Court Judge James Fox scheduled another hearing Monday on Revels' request to be reinstated as Miss North Carolina, but said he may not act then or any time soon.

Bauer said the organization would abide by the decision in the case, which he acknowledged could result in two Miss North Carolinas appearing on stage in the pageant itself.

"We haven't determined a placement for the additional contestant, if we are forced to do that," Bauer said. He said the organization intends to honor Clymer's contract even if the courts decide the case in favor of Revels.

Bauer said the extra costs incurred would be "a tremendous financial burden."

Revels resigned after an ex-boyfriend told pageant officials he had two photographs that showed her topless. First runner-up Misty Clymer, who assumed the title, also is seeking a court ruling naming her the state's representative to the Miss America pageant.

"I do not think this court is going to be able to rule by next week's end," Fox said Friday, after hearing arguments by lawyers for Revels and the national pageant organization. "The court sees no way to split the baby."

Clymer arrived in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, and her introduction along with other contestants at the Ritz-Carlton hotel set off a barrage of flashes from photographers. She made no public statements on the dispute.

Revels was to arrive later Friday night in Philadelphia.

In essence, there are two Miss North Carolinas — at least until Wednesday, when another court's order naming Revels the queen expires — said Clymer's lawyer, Janet Ward Black.

"It would be my guess that you're going to see two Miss North Carolinas announced on Sunday and on Wednesday, there may be just one depending on what happens with the judge," she said.

Nakell said his client would participate in the Miss America pageant as Miss North Carolina 2002. "I know she's going to win, and she's going to be Miss America," he said.

In court, Fox called the idea of two Miss North Carolinas impractical.

"If you think there can be two Miss North Carolinas, there should be three Miss New Yorks, two Miss Colorados, two Miss Alaskas," Fox said. "It's not realistic."

He said he may not act on Revels' reinstatement before the pageant, which ends Sept. 21 in Atlantic City with the selection of a new Miss America.

He noted that he cannot hold court Tuesday — primary election day in North Carolina — and he is on vacation the following week.

"We're not going to rush to a decision," he said.

The controversy began in July when pageant officials received an anonymous e-mail — later determined to have been sent by Revels' ex-boyfriend Tosh Welch — that told them about the topless photos.

Revels said Welch surprised her by snapping two photographs as she changed clothes. She has since broken up with Welch and recently sued him.

In a hearing on a lawsuit that Revels filed against the state competition, a state pageant official testified this week that Revels was told she would have to resign or be fired because she violated morals requirements in her contract.

But Wake County Superior Court Judge Narley Cashwell ruled that the snapshots, which haven't been made public, didn't constitute a contract violation.

The federal court case began in Revels' native Robeson County, where she sued the Miss America Organization. A judge there issued the temporary order that expires Wednesday requiring Miss America to recognize Revels. The case was transferred to Cashwell, then to federal court.

Miss America lawyer Tim Barber told Fox that the contract between Revels and Miss America officials had not been signed by the time she stepped down as the state's winner.

"Miss Revels resigned. She voluntarily resigned. We're here today because she changed her mind. ... right before the competition is to begin," Barber said.

Fox asked the attorneys for the Miss America Organization to determine how much bond the pageant can afford to ensure payment if Revels filed for and won damages.

Nakell said he would not accept a ruling that allowed Revels to sue only for damages, without allowing her to go to the national pageant.

"Rebekah won the pageant. Misty carries the title because of improper action by" the Miss America Organization, he said.