Pennsylvania Beauty Pageant Contestant’s Defamation Suit Fails

March 17, 2026, 1:30 PM UTC

A former contestant for the “Miss Pennsylvania” crown has failed to advance defamation, false light, and abuse of process claims against a rival.

Victoria Vespico, who came in third in the 2024 race to represent the state in the national Miss America pageant, couldn’t sue Robyn Kass-Gerji over statements a different court previously said were likely true, the US District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said Monday. A D.C. superior court judge’s finding in a related matter collaterally barred the defamation and false light claims, Judge Julia K. Munley said.

Vespico won the title in 2025, despite Kass-Gerji’s ...

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