The Miss America competition got affected by #MeToo movement that enlightens sexual discrimination and harassment in American life.
The beauty pageant show, almost a century-old, will no longer judge contestants based on their physical appearance. Sorry guys, no more beautiful girls on swimsuits walking on Atlantic City's catwalks. The swimsuit competition of Miss America will be replaced by a panel interview of contestants.
The competitors of Miss America by the end of this summer will no longer call themselves a “pageant.”
“We are no longer a pageant, we are a competition. We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance. That’s huge,” Gretchen Carlson, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Miss America Organization said on ABC News’ “Good Morning America.”
Carlson, a former winner of the 97-year-old contest, said in a statement that judges would instead focus on competitors’ scholarship, talent and social impact.
The contest will also no longer judge women during the evening gown portion of the competition, instead encouraging contestants to use the event to express their personal style.
“We’re experiencing a cultural revolution in our country with women finding the courage to stand up and have their voices heard on many issues,” Carlson said. “Miss America is proud to evolve.”
Reporting by Gina Cherelus