Miss America to drop swimsuit competition

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Starting this year, the nearly century-old pageant Miss America will drop its renowned swimsuit competition and instead weigh in on participants’ social-impact initiatives, the event organizers announced on Tuesday.

“We are no longer a pageant. We are a competition,” Gretchen Carlson, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Miss America Organization said during an interview with ABC News. “We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance.”

The change is indeed huge given that the event was originally founded as a swimsuit beauty pageant, and past winners of the swimsuit portion often went on to compete for the crown.

Miss Texas Margana Wood reacted after advancing from the swimsuit component of the Miss America competition in Atlantic City, New Jersey, US on September 10, 2017. /Reuters Photo

According to Miss America press statement, the swimsuit competition will be replaced by a panel interview of contestants "where she will highlight her achievements and goals in life and how she will use her talents, passion, and ambition to perform the job of Miss America."

In addition, the organization has decided to revamp the evening gown portion of the competition, allowing contestants to choose their own attire to express their personal style.

Miss America announced "sweeping changes" for the pageant on Tuesday. /Screenshot from Miss America official website

The organization’s bold move was seen as a bid to modernize its image at a time when the #MeToo movement has shone a harsh light on pervasive sexual discrimination and harassment in American life.

“We want to be open, transparent and inclusive to women who might not have felt comfortable participating in our program before,” Carlson said, adding that the program hopes to support young women with scholarships and empower the future generation.

“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.”

Miss America said #byebyebikini on its Twitter account. /Photo from Twitter

Carlson, a former Miss America winner, took over the chairmanship of the organization after the group’s former leadership resigned in December last year. The top executives were exposed using sexist and lewd languages against past winners in emails.

Miss America is not the first beauty pageant ending a controversial swimsuit competition. Miss World and Miss Teen USA eliminated the swimsuit portion in competitions a few years ago.

People have shown mixed reactions to the news. While some welcomed the change, many expressed pity and questioned if TV ratings would drop without the swimsuit show.

Screenshot from Twitter.

“I’m not sure I understand this change. Fitness is a part of overall health. Mind and body,” @HSorensenFargo commented on Twitter. “The competition is about being the whole package. Fitness wear instead?”