Miss Universe Ireland boss Brittany Mason has opened up about meeting Donald Trump as a teenage beauty queen and confessed she’s not a fan.
The 32-year-old model first met the US President, who owned the company that runs the pageant before he entered office, when she competed in it herself.
Brittany said while the billionaire, who has faced allegations of sexual misconduct, never did anything “out of line” around her, she doesn’t agree with his political views.
She told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I met him a few times. The first time I met him was when I was 18.
“He was always professional, he never came into our dressing room – there was nothing [inappropriate] like that, ever.
“We [the contestants] did each meet him, we stood on stage in a line and he came down and shook our hands.
"He owned the organisation, I suppose he wanted to meet every young woman coming through.
“There was nothing out of line or that came across creepy with him. That being said, when it comes to politics, I don’t identify as Republican and I’m not a fan of a lot of the ways he’s been doing things.
“But as far as the way his business practice was with us, there was never anything inappropriate.”
The Indiana native moved to Ireland in 2015 and two years later became the director of Miss Universe Ireland.
The organisation has produced some of Ireland’s top models including Roz Purcell, Joanna Cooper and last year’s winner Grainne Gallanagh.
Brittany credits beauty contests with “completely changing her life” and admits she loves mentoring the young aspiring models who enter the competition.
She said: “I started competing in pageantry when I was 16.
“I’m from a really small town in Indiana with 368 people and I knew I wanted to see the world and I wanted more opportunities than what was offered in my area.
“It was a way out for me. I entered and it completely changed my life.”
Brittany added: “It’s so cool to be part of another young woman’s journey and to help her reach her goals.
“I’ve been there before, I know what it’s like and I’ve been involved in it for half my life.
Roz Purcell hits back at people in modelling industry who shamed her for having 'chunky legs'
“To the see the transformation is incredible – they have a new-found confidence in themselves and what they can do.”
Meanwhile, Brittany is set to walk down the aisle after boyfriend of four years Steven Patch popped the question in New York – right at the spot where the lovebirds enjoyed their first date.
The couple moved to Ireland in 2015 after a whirlwind romance when Steven got offered a job in Dublin – a move the model says “solidified” their relationship.
Opening up about their plans for the big day, Brittany said there will be Irish themes in the wedding even if they don’t tie the knot here.
The Social Media column: Rosanna Davison opens up about 14-hour days while doing Masters
She said: “We do love the idea of having it in Ireland, it would be so romantic outside by a castle.
“I know for sure we want our engagement photos here. Ireland has been such a big part of our lives. We knew before coming here that moving over together would make or break us.
“It was so sweet, the ring is an emerald-cut diamond – he said to me, ‘For Ireland, for the Emerald Isle’.”
- Applications for Miss Universe Ireland are open until May 17. Visit missuniverseireland. eu/apply-2019/ to apply.
