Miss America loses bikinis

MISS America is scrapping its swimsuit competition and will no longer judge contestants based on their looks, the organisation has announced.

“Who doesn’t want to be empowered, learn leadership skills and pay for college and be able to show the world who you are as a person from the inside of your soul,” she said. “That’s what we’re judging them on now.”

Since its start, nearly 100 years ago, the pageant has been known for featuring beauty queens parading around in skimpy bikinis and sparkly gowns.