Miss America Pageant Dropping Swim Suit and Evening Gown Competitions In #MeToo Era
Contestants will no longer be judged on their physical appearance
By Marilyn Nelson on June 5, 2018
The Miss America organization announced it’s no longer a pageant, but a competition.
In doing so, it’s nixing its swimsuit competition and its evening gown competition saying contestants will no longer be judged on their physical appearance. Good Morning America reports that instead of the longstanding tradition of women wearing bikinis and heals, Miss America contestants will take part in a live interactive session with the judges. They will also have to show their passion, intelligence and overall understanding of what the job of Miss America entails.
Instead of being asked to wear evening gowns, contestants will be encouraged to wear clothing that makes them feel confident, expresses their own personal style.
The Miss America Competition will air Sept. 9 on ABC.