Beauty Pageant Cuts Controversial Connection to Plastic Surgeon

Before it even started, Dr. Stephen P. Grifka’s proposed role as “official facial plastic surgery consultant” to the Miss San Diego contest has been severed amid strong criticism from the head of the Miss California Pageant, which oversees the contest.

The Culver City-based physician was appointed to the unpaid position last January by Dayna Waitley, executive director of the Miss San Diego Pageant, after the recommendation of mutual friends. However, Waitley now says the appointment was never approved by the pageant’s board of directors and Grifka’s consulting position is, thus, invalid. The doctor was notified by phone and in writing March 31, Waitley said.

“The only comment I can make is that I did not seek prior approval (of the appointment) with my board of directors and, because of that, the association with him was invalid,” she said Monday. “I think I personally used poor judgment in seeking the position. Never, under any circumstances, would I recommend that a pageant contestant seek plastic surgery.”

Waitley would not comment on why she decided to appoint a plastic surgeon in the first place. But she did say that a plastic surgeon will not be part of next year’s pageant.

Grifka, 30, could not be reached for comment.

Waitley told The Times last week that Grifka was supposed to serve as an adviser and possible financial sponsor, beginning with next year’s pageant. The agreement with Grifka--who specializes in nose jobs, face lifts, chemical skin peels and scar removal--called for him to advise contestants on ways to “enhance” their physical appearance.

The agreement, however, drew sharp criticism from organizers of the Miss America Pageant, the parent organization that oversees the local events, and officials of the Miss California Pageant. Leonard C. Horn, chief executive officer of the Miss America Pageant, last week mocked the plastic surgeon idea, calling it “crazy” and “laughable.”