PAGEANT OUTGROWS SWIMSUITS:
MISS AMERICA is getting a makeover.
From now on, the only measurements contestants will be judged on are IQ points.
Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, who won the competition in 1989 and is now the organization’s chairwoman, announced the contest will no longer feature a swimsuit portion during an appearance on “Good Morning America” Tuesday.
“We are no longer a pageant,” she said. “We are competition. We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance.”
In place of the swimsuit competition, Miss America contestants will take part in a live interactive session with the judges, aimed at highlighting their achievements and goals for the future, according to a press release from the organization.
The new segment will also give women an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of and passion for the role of Miss America.
Evening gowns will be optional, with contestants now able to wear whatever want during that segment.
The event was first held in 1921 as a swimsuit pageant in Atlantic City as part of the “Fall Frolic” — a two-day event established by local businessmen to extend the summer season.
Margaret Gorman, a 16-year-old from Washington, D.C., won “The Most Beautiful Bathing Girl in America” contest, which would eventually develop into the “Miss America” competition.
And while the competition’s foundation they is in the swimsuit portion, it’s not among the highestrated parts of the show, Carlson noted.
“People like the talent part of the competition,” she said.
The evening gown portion is also getting revamped. Contestants will be asked to sport a look of their choosing while discussing how they will advance their social impact initiatives.
“We’ve heard from a lot of young women who say, ‘We’d love to be a part of your program but we don’t want to be out there in high heels and a swimsuit,’” Carlson said.
“So guess what? You don’t have to do that anymore.”
The former Miss America also acknowledged the underlying pageant tone has long been a point of contention, but emphasized talent and intelligence has always been an
important part of the program. Now, she said, it’s just a matter of highlighting that.
“We are now open, inclusive and transparent, and I want . . . young people across this country to come and be a part of our program,” Carlson said on “GMA.”
We want to celebrate your accomplishments and talents and “hand you scholarships,” she added.
The nonprofit foundation behind the pageant had come under fire in the past year after misogynistic emails by former CEO Sam Haskell and other leaders were exposed by the Huffington Post.
In the leaked emails, Haskell was among several officials demeaning the intelligence, personal lives and appearances of former Miss America participants, including Carlson.
The board suspended Haskell and launched an internal probe, sparking fury among former winners, who demanded his resignation.
He was eventually forced out.
The revamped Miss America will return to Atlantic City Sept. 9.