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Watch John Oliver Debunk the Miss America Pageant’s Scholarship Claim

2 minute read

Updated 6:30 pm ET

John Oliver has done it again. The Last Week Tonight host summed up everything that is wrong with the annual Miss America Pageant Sunday night—from the butt glue to the 20 second responses to the question of how the U.S. should deal with ISIS.

But Oliver’s team also dug into the Miss America Pageant’s assertion that they provide $45 million in scholarship funds every year. They found that the pageant winners doesn’t come even close to actually receiving that amount for complicated reasons that Oliver explains in his piece. And yet the claim that they are still the world’s largest provider of scholarships for women in the world is, sadly, true, even though women who compete for said scholarship must certify that they have never before been married or pregnant.

On Monday afternoon, the Miss America Organization defended its program in a statement, saying it was common practice to advertise the total figure offered in scholarships rather than what ended up being spent. “We highlight the impressive, generous $45 million in scholarships made available in an effort to honor every one of our academic partners nationwide who make available cash and in-kind financial opportunities to the [Miss America Organization] and young women who participate in the program,” a spokesperson for the organization said. “Each year, more than 8,000 young women compete for scholarships…As with any scholarship, the full amount awarded may not always be used as recipients’ plans change or evolve.”

See Photos of Every Miss America Since 1921

1921: Margaret Gorman from Washington
1921: Margaret Gorman from WashingtonAP
Campbell
1922: Mary Katherine Campbell from Columbus, OhioAP
American beauty queen Mary Katherine Campbell is promenaded
1923: Mary Katherine Campbell from Columbus, OhioNew York Daily News Archive/Getty Images
1924 Miss America From Philadelphia Pennsylvania Ruth Malcomson
1924: Ruth Malcomson from PhiladelphiaBettmann/Corbis
Fay Lanphier (right), Miss America of 1925, shown backstage
1925: Fay Lanphier from Oakland, Calif.New York Daily News Archive—NY Daily News via Getty Images
Mrs. Norma D. Smallwood, Miss Tulsa, winner of 1926 Miss Ame
1926: Norma D. Smallwood from Tulsa, Okla.New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Long Serving Star
1927: Lois Delander from Joliet, Ill.Hulton Archive—Getty Images
Marian Bergeron, the 1933 winner of the Miss America Contest.
1933: Marian Bergeron from West Haven, Conn.Miss America
Miss America competition: The acting Miss Pittsburgh of 1935 Henrietta Leaver won beauty competition and is the new Miss America. Atlantic City. USA. Photograph. 17 September, 1935.  (Photo by Austrian Archives (AA)
1935: Henrietta Leaver from PittsburghImagno—Getty Images
Coyle
1936: Rose Veronica Coyle from PhiladelphiaAP
Cooper
1937: Bette Cooper from Bertrand Island, N.J.AP
And For The Winner
1938: Marilyn Meseke from Marion, OhioHulton Archive/Getty Images
Miss America
1939: Patricia Donnelly from DetroitHulton Archive/Getty Images
Burke Donnelly
1940: Frances Burke from PhiladelphiaAP
Up On The Roof
1941: Rosemary LaPlanche from Los AngelesGeorge Enell—Getty Images
Miss America for 1942. - 23-September-1942
1942: Jo-Carroll Dennison from Tyler, TexasPlanet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images
Miss America Jean Bartel 1943
1943: Jean Bartel from Los AngelesAP
Venus Ramey
1944: Venus Ramey from WashingtonPeter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Gett
Miss America winner Bess Myerson
1945: Bess Myerson from New YorkAlfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Two Miss Americas
1946: Marilyn Buferd from Los AngelesHulton Archive/Getty Images
Barbara Jo Walker Wearing Miss America Crown
1947: Barbara Walker from Memphis, Tenn.Maurice Johnson— Bettmann/CORBIS
Miss America of 1948 Beatrice Shopp
1948: Beatrice Shopp from Hopkins, Minn.Bettmann/Corbis
Jacque Mercer Waving to Cameraman
1949: Jacque Mercer from Litchfield, Ariz.Bettmann/Corbis
Yolande Betbeze Wearing Swim Suit
1951: Yolande Betbeze from Mobile, Ala.Bettmann/Corbis
Hutchins
1952: Colleen Kay Hutchins from Salt Lake CityAP
Neva Langley, the 1953 winner of the Miss America contest.
1953: Neva Langley from Macon, Ga.Miss America
Evelyn Ay Strolling Down Runway
1954: Evelyn Ay from Ephrate, Pa.Bettmann/Corbis
Lee Ann Meriwether Kicking Her Heels in the Surf
1955: Lee Meriwether from San FranciscoBettmann/Corbis
Miss America Being Crowned
1956: Sharon Kay Ritchie from DenverBettmann/Corbis
Mary Ann McKnight with Glass of Orange Juice
1957: Marian Ann McKnight from Manning, S.C.Bettmann/Corbis
OCT 30 1957, OCT 31 1957; Young photographers got the chance of a lifetime when Miss America, Marily
1958: Marilyn Van Derbur from DenverBob Beegle—Denver Post/Getty Images
Mary Ann Mobley in Pageant Dress
1959: Mary Ann Mobley from Brandon, Miss.Bettmann/Corbis
Lynda Lee Mead on Winning Beauty Pageant
1960: Lynda Mead from Natchez, Miss.Bettmann/Corbis
Nancy Anne Fleming,Miss America 1960
1961: Nancy Fleming from Montague, Mich.Bettmann/Corbis
Miss America 1962
1962: Maria Fletcher from Asheville, N.C.Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Bert Parks Poses
1963: Jacquelyn Mayer from Sandusky, OhioHulton Archive/Getty Images
Couple Performing Water Skiing Act
1964: Donna Axum from El Dorado, Ark.Bettmann/Corbis
Crowning of Miss America 1965
1965: Vonda Van Dyke from PhoenixBettmann/Corbis
NOV 8 1965, NOV 9 1965, MAY 13 1968; Deborah Bryant, Overland, Kan., as Miss America; She's seen man
1966: Deborah Bryant from Overland Park, Kan.George Crouter—Denver Post via Getty Images
1967: Jayne Anne Jayroe from Laverne, Okla.
1967: Jayne Anne Jayroe from Laverne, Okla.Bill Eppridge—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1968: Debra Barnes from Pittsburg, Kan.
1968: Debra Barnes from Pittsburg, Kan.Bettmann/Corbis
1969: Judi Ford from Belvidere, Ill.Miss America
Pamela Anne Eldred, Judith Anne Ford
1970: Pamela Anne Eldred from West Bloomfield, Mich.Bill Achatz—AP
Miss America Phyllis George
1971: Phyllis George from Denton, TexasBettmann/Corbis
Portrait of Miss America 1972
1972: Laurel Lea Schaefer from Bexley, OhioBettmann/Corbis
Miss America 1973 Being Crowned
1973: Terry Anne Meeuwsen from De Pere, Wis.Bettmann/Corbis
King
1974: Rebecca Ann King from DenverAP
1975: Shirley Cothran from Denton, TexasMiss America
1976: Tawny Godin from Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
1976: Tawny Godin from Saratoga Springs, N.Y.AP
Beauty Queen
1977: Dorothy Benham from Edina, Minn.CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
1978: Susan Perkins fromColumbus, Ohio
1978: Susan Perkins from Columbus, OhioMiss America
1979: Kylene Barker from Roanoke, Va.
1979: Kylene Barker from Roanoke, Va.Miss America
Miss America Pageant 1980
1980: Cheryl Prewitt from Ackerman, Miss.NBC/Getty Images
Susan Powell
1981: Susan Powell from Elk City, Okla.Birns—AP
WARD
1982: Elizabeth Ward from Russellville, Ark.AP
1983: Debra Sue Maffett from Anaheim, Calif.
1983: Debra Sue Maffett from Anaheim, Calif.NBC/Getty Images
1984: Vanessa Williams from Millwood, N.Y.
1984: Vanessa Williams from Millwood, N.Y.Donna Connor—Bettmann/Corbis
1984: Suzette Charles from Mays Landing, N.J.
1984: Suzette Charles from Mays Kanding, N.J. Bettmann/Corbis
1985: Sharlene Wells Salt Lake City, Utah
1985: Sharlene Wells from Salt Lake CityBarry Thumma—AP
1986: Susan Akin from Meridian, Miss.
1986: Susan Akin from Meridian, Miss.AP
1987: Kellye Cash from Memphis, Tenn.
1987: Kellye Cash from Memphis, Tenn.Mark Humphrey—AP
1988: Kaye Lani Rae Rafko from Monroe, Mich.
1988: Kaye Lani Rae Rafko from Monroe, Mich.Tom Hawley—The Monroe Evening News/AP
1989: Gretchen Carlson from Anoka, Minn.
1989: Gretchen Carlson from Anoka, Minn.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic
CARLSON  CHA TURNER
1990: Debbye Turner from Columbia, Mo.Tom Patrick—AP
1991: Marjorie Vincent from Oak Park, Ill.Miss America
1992: Carolyn Sapp from Honolulu
1992: Carolyn Sapp from HonoluluTime and Life Pictures/Getty Images
1993: Leanza Cornett from Jacksonville, Fla.
1993: Leanza Cornett from Jacksonville, Fla.Joseph Sohm—Visions of America/Corbis
1994: Kimberly Aiken from Columbia, S.C.
1994: Kimberly Aiken from Columbia, S.C.Charles Rex Arbogast—AP
Heather Whitestone, First Deaf-Mute to be Elected Miss America 1995
1995: Heather Whitestone from Birmingham, Ala.Donna Connor—Sygma/Corbis
1996: Shawntel Smith from Muldrow Okla.
1996: Shawntel Smith from Muldrow, Okla.Tom Costello—AP
1997: Tara Dawn Holland from Overland Park, Kans.
1997: Tara Dawn Holland from Overland Park, Kan.Daniel Hulshizer—AP
1998: Kate Shindle from Evanston Ill.
1998: Kate Shindle from Evanston, Ill.Daniel Hulshizer—AP
1999: Nicole Johnson from Virginia Beach, Va.
1999: Nicole Johnson from Virginia Beach, Va.Timothy A. Clary—AFP/Getty Images
2000: Heather French from Maysville, Ky.
2000: Heather French from Maysville, Ky.Donna Connor—Sygma/Corbis
2001: Angela Perez Baraquio from Honolulu, Hawaii
2001: Angela Perez Baraquio from HonoluluTom Mihalek—AFP/Getty Images
2002: Katie Harman from Gresham, Ore.
2002: Katie Harman from Gresham, Ore.Tom Mihalek—AFP/Getty Images
2003: Erika Harold from Urbana, Ill.
2003: Erika Harold from Urbana, Ill.Brian Branch—AP
2004: Ericka Dunlap from Orlando, Fla.
2004: Ericka Dunlap from Orlando, Fla.William Thomas Cain—Getty Images
2005: Deidre Downs from Birmingham, Ala.
2005: Deidre Downs from Birmingham, Ala.Brian Branch Price—AP
2006: Jennifer Berry from Tulsa, Okla.
2006: Jennifer Berry from Tulsa, Okla.Susan L. Gregg—Reuters/Corbis
2007: Lauren Nelson from Lawton, Okla.
2007: Lauren Nelson from Lawton, Okla.Ethan Miller—Getty Images
2008: Kirsten Haglund from Farmington Hills, Mich.
2008: Kirsten Haglund from Farmington Hills, Mich.Jae C. Hong—AP
2009: Katie Stam from Seymour, Ind.
2009: Katie Stam from Seymour, Ind.Isaac Brekken—AP
2010: Caressa Cameron from Fredericksburg, Va
2010: Caressa Cameron from Fredericksburg, Va.Ethan Miller—Getty Images
2011: Teresa Scanlan from Gering, Neb.
2011: Teresa Scanlan from Gering, Neb.Steve Marcus—Reuters/Corbis
2012: Laura Kaeppeler from Kenosha, Wis.
2012: Laura Kaeppeler from Kenosha, Wis.Steve Marcus—Reuters/Corbis
2013: Mallory Hytes Hagan from Brooklyn, N.Y.
2013: Mallory Hytes Hagan from Brooklyn, N.Y.Steve Marcus—Reuters/Corbis
2014: Nina Davuluri from Syracuse, N.Y.
2014: Nina Davuluri from Syracuse, N.Y.Aristide Economopoulos—Star Ledger/Corbis
Kira Kazantsev, Miss New York Crowned Miss America 2015
2015: Kira Kazantsev from ManhattanMJT/AdMedia/Corbis
Miss Arkansa, Savvy Shields, waves to crowd after being named new the Miss America 2017 in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 11, 2016.
Miss Arkansa, Savvy Shields, waves to crowd after being named new the Miss America 2017 in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 11, 2016.Noah K. Murray—AP

This post has been updated with the Miss America Organization’s statement.

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Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana.dockterman@time.com