Miss Teen USA regrets tweeting the n-word in the past after winning the title

The new Miss Teen USA will keep her crown despite criticism over tweets she wrote which used racist language.

The Miss Universe Organisation, which owns the Miss Teen USA pageant, has issued a statement saying Karlie Hay's words were wrong but it's also "supporting her continued growth".

She was crowned on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

But Twitter users found messages containing the n-word linked to an account with Karlie Hay's name.

A screenshot of the four tweets from 2013 and 2014 have been shared online.

She wrote an apology on the same Twitter account and posted that message on Instagram.

Karlie said: "Several years ago, I had many personal struggles and found myself in a place that is not representative of who I am as a person..."

Pageant officials, referring to the apology Karlie Hay posted, say the 18-year-old was going through personal struggles and that she regrets her words.

Karlie, who's from Tomball in Texas, says she'll use her platform to advocate for those affected by drug and alcohol abuse.

Karlie had her title passed on to her by former Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik.

The Miss Universe Organisation statement says in full: "The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of The Miss Universe Organisation.

"As Karlie stated, she was in a different place in her life and made a serious mistake she regrets and for which she sincerely apologises.

"Karlie learned many lessons through those personal struggles that reshaped her life and values. We as an organisation are committed to supporting her continued growth."

Karlie says she wants to go to Texas A&M University and become a businesswoman

For the event this year, Miss Teen USA dropped its swimsuit section after criticism that it was sexist.

It was replaced with a sportswear competition.

This year's 51 contestants, aged between 14 and 19, were judged on a personal interview and an evening gown category as well as the new "athletic wear" section.

The swimsuit category had been criticised for exploiting and sexualising young women and not promoting diverse body types.

However, swimwear model Chrissy Teigen had a go at a lack of diversity at this year's pageant on Twitter.

She was commenting on the five finalists.

She later said she wasn't going to write any more about it.

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