Winning a pageant is usually a crowning achievement and a stepping stone to something greater.

But for Danielle Williams, a Moscow Mills native, the victory of being named Miss Rodeo Missouri 2023 wasn’t sweet for very long.

During her reign, she was relieved of her duties, according to a court petition, and is now suing the Miss Rodeo Missouri (MRM) Pageant Association alleging breach of contract, libel, slander, fraud, and unjust enrichment.

According to the lawsuit, Williams was a contestant in the pageant which took place in 2022 for the title of Miss Rodeo Missouri 2023. However, the petition outlines how things allegedly changed particularly in January 2023 and in the months of April-June later that year.

On or about May 7, 2022, Williams had to “enter into a contract entitled ‘Miss Rodeo Missouri Agreement’” per the petition. Court records allege Williams was never given a “fully executed’ copy of the 2022 Agreement nor a copy of the of the “Official Hand Book” or “Official Rule Book” which is apparently referred to in the agreement.

Components of the agreement include Williams competing in the Miss Rodeo America (MRA) Pageant representing Missouri in which every contestant gets a $1,500 scholarship plus other additional scholarship opportunities.

The 2022 Agreement also noted the National Director of the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant Association “shall help appoint and work” with Williams “in finding appropriate coaches for her preparation” for the MRA Pageant.

Also, the petition indicates under breach of contract that in accordance with the 2022 Agreement that if Williams failed to uphold and fulfill the terms then she would forfeit her crown and office effective immediately. Before “forfeiture” occurs however, the petition notes Williams has the right to be notified about “non-performance.”
Further, the petition mentions Williams was entitled to an opportunity to share her statement and statements of others if she chose to do so. The petition claims Williams was never afforded the opportunity to defend her alleged “non-performance” prior to termination of her title and that the pageant allegedly failed to uphold its obligations in the 2022 Agreement.

Tension between Williams and the association started in early 2023. As a titleholder, one of the responsibilities was to “secure sponsorships” according to the petition, which allegedly Williams did and those were allegedly given to the pageant on Jan. 18, 2023. Then, the pageant allegedly gave Williams a “Consequence Matrix for Un-Met Expectations.”

In the petition, a document is attached naming a list of violations in the “Consequence Matrix” including “inappropriate attitude/behavior” with first, second, and third offense actions, some of which differ depending upon violation. The petition states, “the Cosequence Matrix reiterates the right” of Williams “per the 2022 Agreement to be informed of her alleged non-performance.”

By spring, the relationship between the MRM Pageant and Williams, according to the petition was worsening.
On April 11, 2023, Williams was “imposed upon” a required “leave of absence” for one month from her title and responsibilities as Miss Rodeo Missouri 2023 for “alleged concern” for William’s mental health even though she maintained there were no concerns, according to the petition.

Over a month later, on May 13, 2023, the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant Association sent Williams three documents including another “Miss Rodeo Missouri Agreement.” The petition notes in an email dated the same day, Williams was advised by MRM if she did not sign the documents by May 15, she “would forfeit her title.”

The petition notes Williams signed the documents but was not ever given a “fully executed copy” of the agreement nor the “Official Hand Book” or “Official Rule Book”, which is referenced in it.

Williams was notified on June 12, 2023 at 8 a.m. via email that she was “terminated” instantly from her reign, according to the petition. On the Miss Rodeo Missouri Facebook page, there is a post from that date stating, “effective immediately, all Rodeo Missouri activities will be handled by Miss Teen Rodeo Missouri 2023.”

In addition to her alleged dismissal per the petition, Williams was expected to hand over a list of items within 24 hours of the June 12 email. The items in the list ranged from $50-$1,150 and included a sash, spur straps, and Arrowhead Now Chaps, amongst other items. The petition also mentions expenses incurred by Williams including $654.75 for professional photography, a $1,400 deposit for a formal gown for the MRA pageant, and $3,500 for a horse for performance as Miss Rodeo Missouri 2023, to name a few.

The libel complaint highlights in a May 11 email in which it is alleged, per the petition, the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant Association, “composed, wrote, and emailed to third parties an e-mail containing false and defamatory statements” about Williams. The same is alleged for on or about May 13 and on or about June 12 emails as well, according to the petition.

On the slander claim, the petition alleges that the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant Association “spoke words of a defamatory nature” on or about April, May, and June 2023 in which third parties heard and were “prejudicial” to the “reputation, career, and means of making a living” to Williams.

On the fraud complaint, there are a number of allegations listed in the petition lodged against the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant Association including that they “would not and could not assist” Williams with fulfilling her duties. Additionally, the petition mentions that Williams allegedly “had no knowledge of the falsity” of the pageant’s “representations.”

The final complaint of unjust enrichment, according to the petition, makes note of a $1,400 deposit Williams made to a designer for the MRA Pageant for a “formal gown” and was allegedly refunded to the Pageant but not to Williams, per the petition.

Judge Michael Jacobs is set to preside over the case in Lincoln County. Williams is represented by Amanda Turnbull in Troy and the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant Association is represented by Matthew John Kallial in Clayton, according to court records. Pretrial conference is set for Oct. 2 with a jury trial scheduled for Oct. 21-23.