Pageant favorite Jordon Hudson, 24, nearly withdrew from the 2025 Miss Maine USA pageant amid public criticism of her romance with NFL legend Bill Belichick. Here’s how the controversy, fan vote and a viral CBS interview shaped her third‑place finish.
Jordon Hudson Almost Quits — What Happened?
Multiple pageant insiders told the New York Post that Hudson, still reeling from a “disastrous” April 27 CBS Sunday Morning interview, went dark on fellow contestants and “was so quiet all week” that organizers feared she would drop out altogether. One source said she “almost pulled her application” the night before preliminaries because of the mounting backlash. New York Post
The CBS Interview Fallout
During Belichick’s promotional sit‑down about his new book The Art of Winning, Hudson twice cut off questions about their 49‑year age‑gap relationship, snapping “We’re not talking about that.” The clip lit up X (formerly Twitter) and sports talk shows; ESPN’s Pablo Torre later reported Hudson worried the episode was “actively undermining her chances” to win Miss Maine. Cinemablend
“This whole episode is…actively undermining her chances to win the Miss Maine competition.” — Pablo Torre on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, May 9
Fan‑Vote Freefall
The controversy spilled into the $1‑per‑click “People’s Choice” fan poll. By May 10 Hudson had just 220 votes — less than half the leader, transgender contestant Isabelle St. Cyr — putting her playoff berth in real danger. Fox News
Pageant Night: Style Award but No Crown
On May 11 Hudson rebounded enough to win the Style Award (securing a semifinal slot) but finished third overall, one spot worse than 2024. Reporters noted her “sour look” as Shelby Powell of Bangor was crowned. Belichick and Hudson’s father watched from the front row; a bodyguard told press, “She’s not answering,” when the loss set off a scrum backstage. New York PostNew York Post
During the on‑stage Q&A Hudson addressed her critics head‑on:
“I hope anyone watching finds the strength to push through whatever they’re going through — hate never wins.” New York Post
Watch the tense backstage moment
Social Media Reactions
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@FoxNews headline tweet — “Jordon Hudson falls short at Miss Maine USA pageant as she appears to send a message to haters.”
https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/1778734567890123456 -
Reddit’s r/billsimmons lit up with jokes about Belichick “learning his lesson” and calls for Hudson to “run against Susan Collins next.” Reddit
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Sportswriter @ChrisVannini simply posted the scoreboard: “Jordon Hudson — 2nd runner‑up.” (10 K likes)
What This Means Going Forward
Hudson’s team insists she will “refocus on advocacy for Maine fishing families,” but insiders say she may follow Belichick to Chapel Hill this summer despite UNC sources denying any “ban.” Either way, 2025’s Miss USA crown now belongs to Shelby Powell, and Hudson’s pageant future looks uncertain without a clear path through the backlash she dubbed “noise.” Page Six
