Quick question. What’s a beauty pageant without a swimsuit round?
A beauty pageant.
Ya right, it took 97 years for the organisers of Miss America pageant to scrap off the swimsuit round, and even for that, they want to be applauded. It’s not for nothing that renowned feminist and social-political activist Gloria Steinem said – “The Miss America Pageant reinforces a belief that women are merely how they look and how they please”.
The board of directors said that they will not judge a woman based on their physical appearance. Earlier, the organisers defended the segment referring to it as “a measure of women’s physical fitness”.
Gretchen Carlson, the new chairperson of the Miss America Organization, said on ABC’s Good Morning America, “We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance. That’s huge. And that means we will no longer have a swimsuit competition.”
She further said, “We have 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’. So guess what? You don’t have to do that anymore. You’re welcome. Please come join us.”
JUST IN: “We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance. That’s huge. And that means we will no longer have a swimsuit competition.” – @GretchenCarlson on the major changes coming to @MissAmericaOrg https://t.co/ICRIsRN71h pic.twitter.com/IWKcVvCC50
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 5, 2018
Hearing the news, tweepies started reacting. While some were delighted, others said that without the round, Miss America would fail.
1. Not a bad move, after all
The Miss America Contest will no longer have a swim suit competition. Now, I don’t even have a shot at it.
— Paula Poundstone (@paulapoundstone) June 5, 2018
2. #ByeByeBikini
We’re changing out of our swimsuits and into a whole new era #byebyebikini #MissAmerica2019 pic.twitter.com/08Y7jLFxhs
— Cara Mund (@MissAmerica) June 5, 2018
3. A few of them don’t believe in judging the beauty at all.
It’s good Miss America is eliminating the swim suit competition which is sexist and terrible, now please eliminate the rest of it which is also sexist and terrible
— beth, an alien (@bourgeoisalien) June 5, 2018
4. And some has opposite reaction
Highlighting the natural beauty of women is as human as breathing. Why would this be considered wrong? How about we force them all to wear burqas?
— Ronald J Williams (@RonWmsinFL) June 5, 2018
5. There is demand too
Getting rid of the Miss America swim suit competition is a good step, now can we have a Mr America competition? #MissAmerica2019
— bobby kevil (@BobbyKevil) June 5, 2018
6. Not happy not all
Removing the swim suit competition from the Miss America pageant is like removing fighting from hockey. It will fail. #MissAmerica #NHL
— Tom Cotter (@TomCotterComic) June 5, 2018
Bad move on the Miss America pageant. Swim suit was never about looks, it was about proving the young women can be dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. Ratings will drop. https://t.co/El1pfkz24C
— Ashley (@ashleycmckenzie) June 5, 2018
7. Step that opens door for many
Now that there’s no swim suit portion of the miss America competition maybe I’ll enter it
— Kayla (@WaylaKilliams) June 5, 2018
8. Some questions about beauty contests as well
Why still Beauty Contests? Two faced humanity!
— Bengü (@LesJocondes) June 6, 2018
9. Some are upset too
Well, you had a good run Miss America. Your beauty pageant will be missed but not forgotten. I guess all good things must come to an end at some point.
— Hardcoremike (@Hardcoremike420) June 5, 2018
10. And an appreciation
@MissAmerica @MissAmericaOrg This is absolutely brilliant! TheMissAmericapageant has long been an ally to continued education in women. Women who are given a platform to positively impact communities, the country, the world. Great step for womanhood. #beautifulminds #timesup
— HoolieMeluzi (@HMeluzi) June 5, 2018
Besides eliminating bikini round, the organization has also decided to bring some change in the “evening gown segment” of the contest. These changes will be implemented from this year’s contest, which has been scheduled for September 9.
