Jordon Hudson, while confidently participating in the Miss Maine competition, contemplated withdrawing from the event due to criticism she received for her perceived ‘controlling’ behavior toward her boyfriend Bill Belichick.

Insiders familiar with the determined 24-year-old cheerleader disclosed that she had entertained the idea of quitting following a negative response to her interview, where she appeared to speak on behalf of her partner who is 49 years her senior.

Hudson has been under siege for her role in their relationship for close to two weeks, in the run up to the contest in Portland, Maine.

Individuals close to the young woman affirmed to DailyMail.com that the negative feedback did give her pause, but her strong desire to win after narrowly missing out in 2024 prevented her from stepping back.

One source told DailyMail.com: ‘All the girls were so worried about her, they’re all friends and she’s been so quiet all week.

‘It’s not like her to not post on social media or be out of touch with everyone for that long.

Jordon Hudson smiles and waves at the Daily Mail’s photographer at her Miss Maine pageant

Hudson had an outfit change after earlier being spotted in a green dress for the event

‘She considered dropping out because she was worried that it would hurt her chances in the contest.

‘Honestly, she should win, or at least place in the top three. If she doesn’t its purely because of everything that has been going on – which isn’t fair at all.

‘She doesn’t deserve to be judged based on who she’s dating, and dealing with the media comes with experience. She is young, but she can learn, and you never know what happened in the background.’

Hudson cut a confident figure ahead of the contest getting started at 7pm, despite arriving 10 minutes later than her competitors to sign in for rehearsals for the day.

She was in constant communication with at least one former US Navy personal bodyguard, who waited for her in the lobby to arrive.

The icy brunette is representing her home town of Hancock, and initially cut a lonely figure, but was seen looking relaxed and chatting to her competition throughout the day.

Hudson has been at the center of claims she is ‘controlling’ her older boyfriend Bill Belichick 

The iconic Belichick is preparing to coach UNC after signing a five-year, $50million contract

Hudson was the first runner-up in the 2024 contest, but has been unusually silent on social media following criticism against her ahead of the pageant.

She will compete in three categories during the competition – evening gown, interview, and fittingly, swimsuit – with a winner being crowned on Sunday.

A well place source also confirmed that Belichick was quietly supporting his girlfriend, working away from the limelight before the event kicks off at 7pm.

All of the contestants are required to stay in the Holiday Inn for the duration of the pageant, with one fan joking that they were ‘sequestered away like a jury’ for the weekend.

DailyMail.com also confirmed that Belichick supported Hudson during her bid last year, again staying out of the spotlight until the last moment when he gave her a hug, and briefly spoke to her family.

Those close to the contest believe that the ex-cheerleader is ‘perfect’ for the role, and will be battling for the title against three other contestants – Mara Carpenter, Hannah Trottier-Braun and the first transgender entrant Isabelle St. Cyr.

Earlier in the day, Hudson had been spotted wearing a green outfit for the Miss Maine pageant

In a painfully awkward moment, Hudson interrupted Belichick’s conversation with CBS

‘She is the perfect person for the job, it should be her,’ the source added. ‘ You don’t know what the judges are thinking and if she is being judged on all that’s been going on this week it’s unfair.

‘She’s a headstrong tough cookie, and who doesn’t want to be rich, famous and successful?’

‘I’m sure she can be aggressive to some, and I think that she was advised to lay low before the competition, because it means a lot to her.

‘It’s likely she was told to be quiet and hopefully let the backlash go away, and just do her thing. She was robbed last year, but she has a thick skin.

‘Anyone who comes that close to winning has to come back and try again, so she was never going to just let it go but it’s sad she considered it.

‘I feel bad for her that she’s being judged for dating Bill, they’re consenting adults and it has nothing to do with this contest’.

Hudson waved at fans in the lobby of the event, smiling in an icy blue dress after conducting the preliminary interview portion of the day.

Hudson (in blue) walked through the lobby ahead of the Miss Maine event on Saturday night

On Friday, UNC denied reports that Hudson has been banned from football facilities 

She could go on to compete in Miss USA 2025 if she wins the Miss Maine crown, and is no doubt hoping that her second bid will win her the top spot.

It comes after reports that Belichick’s family is ‘digging into’ Hudson, with fears she could tear down ‘everything he’s built,’ despite the pair insisting their relationship is a happy one.

The cringeworthy CBS interview sparked an outpouring of dismay around the relationship, from friends publicly vowing to intervene on Belichick’s behalf to former players he coached questioning his sanity.

Belichick, DailyMail.com exclusively reported, was not massively concerned by the backlash but it has now emerged that he is resuming his book tour with subtle signs that he might think he is better off without Hudson.

Page Six claims that Belichick was joined by Brandon Faber, the former vice-president of communications at the Chicago Bears, instead of Hudson.

‘Cooler heads may be starting to prevail,’ Page Six quoted a source as saying. ‘Her influence may be waning.’

Belichick hit out at CBS as the backlash at Hudson intensified as a result of their interview. He accused CBS of using ‘selectively edited clips’ that have made Hudson the subject of ongoing ridicule.

‘I repeatedly expressed to the reporter, Tony Dokoupil, and the producers that I preferred to keep the conversation centered on the book,’ Belichick said.

‘After this occurred several times, Jordon, with whom I share both a personal and professional relationship, stepped in to reiterate that point to help focus the discussion.’

Belichick’s CBS interview was derailed by Hudson, who was sitting just out of shot

Hudson has repeatedly denied being a ‘distraction’ for Belichick in his new role at UNC

CBS disputed those claims, saying: ‘When we agreed to speak with Mr. Belichick, it was for a wide-ranging interview.

‘There were no preconditions or limitations to this conversation.

‘This was confirmed repeatedly with his publisher before the interview took place and after it was completed.’

CBS aired Hudson swiftly interrupting interviewer Tony Dokoupil when he asked how the couple met, interjecting brusquely off camera: ‘We’re not talking about this.’ Dokoupil looked across and asked: ‘No?’ Hudson replied firmly: ‘No.’