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Miss America Kira Kazantsev tossed from sorority for organizing hazing at Hofstra

"Under the broad definition of hazing, yes, I was involved," Kazantsev confirmed.

By Matt Bradwell
Former Miss New York and newly crowned Miss America Kira Kazantsev celebrates her first day as Miss America with the traditional toe dip in the Atlantic Ocean one day after the Miss America 2015 Competition at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ on September 15, 2014. Miss New York won the competition for a third consecutive year. UPI/John Angelillo
1 of 7 | Former Miss New York and newly crowned Miss America Kira Kazantsev celebrates her first day as Miss America with the traditional toe dip in the Atlantic Ocean one day after the Miss America 2015 Competition at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ on September 15, 2014. Miss New York won the competition for a third consecutive year. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Kira Kazantsev, Hofstra University honors graduate and reigning Miss America, admitted that she was kicked out of her sorority for administering hazing, although she disputes certain specifics.

Gawker Media imprint Jezebel first reported Kazantsev's involvement in hazing after an anonymous source claiming to be close to the pageant queen told the outlet Kazantsev and a friend "were exceptionally harsh toward the pledges" and had a reputation within Alpha Phi Theta Mu for making pledges lives 'A living hell.'"

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"Under Kira's supervision, according to the source, pledges in the incoming class were called names, berated for their perceived physical flaws and imperfections, and made to perform physical tasks to the point of bruising and exhaustion"

Reporter Erin Gloria Ryan noticed something suspicious that lent credence to the anonymous claim -- despite a seemingly prestigious achievement, neither Hofstra nor Alpha Phi acknowledged their past affiliation with the newly crowned beauty queen.

"After Kazantsev's [Miss America victory], neither the national Alpha Phi organization nor the Hofstra branch of Alpha Phi (Theta Mu) publicly acknowledged that one of their own had just won the most prestigious beauty pageant in the world; nor did the local chapter and national organization recognize Kazantsev's considerable achievement. The organization's affiliated foundation was also silent, despite the fact that pictures of Kazantsev participating in Alpha Phi events are all over Facebook."

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Hofstra later confirmed an internal investigation by the university revealed Kazantsev and a close friend were indeed guilty of hazing and both girls were expelled from Alpha Phi.

"Under the broad definition of hazing, yes, I was involved," Kazantsev told Good Morning America.

"At the time, unfortunately, that was just the culture of the university, and I was hazed, and I was kind of brought up through the organization thinking that is appropriate behavior."

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