The former Miss New York, Kira Kazantsev, became Miss America 2015 on September 14, 2014. For the talent competition, Kazantsev charmed the crowd by singing the popular Pharrell Williams song “Happy” while tapping a red Solo cup on the stage floor. Just two weeks after winning the crown, however, Kazantsev’s college career has come under scrutiny.
While a student at Hofstra University, Kazantsev interned at a Planned Parenthood office for three months. She said she “conducted research on Planned Parenthood education” and “assisted delivery of programs in local public schools, teaching children about mutual respect and self-esteem.” After anti-abortion groups including Life News described her former employer as “the very organization that has killed millions of Americans in abortions,” Kazantsev deleted her LinkedIn account.
