Recently, former Miss America and chair of the Miss America Organization Board of Trustees Gretchen Carlson announced that the pageant with swimsuits and evening gowns would change to a competition without swimsuits and more freedom during the evening wear portion of the competition. (If you haven't heard: click here).
"We are not going to judge you on your outward appearance. We are moving it forward and evolving it in this cultural revolution." -Gretchen Carlson
Most critics are praising this change as an act of "inclusion and empowerment." I spoke with a young woman who is currently competing for a new title and crown. I asked her a few questions about the recent changes to the competition:
Were your experiences in pageants positive? Did they involve a swimsuit portion?
"I really have to say that thus far, I've had nothing but positive experiences with pageants. Doing pageants has helped me to gain confidence, poise, and passion for my platform, all while meeting amazing and driven women. Being able to represent and serve my community while making new connections within this "sisterhood" is what got me interested in pageants in the first place. While all of the pageants I have competed in did have the swimsuit portion, that was never my biggest focus in the competition. Walking out on stage in a bikini while a table of judges scored me was definitely a unique experience, but it taught me to be confident in my own skin, and to just have fun!"
What do you think about the removal of the swimsuit portion?
"As for the decision to remove the swimsuit portion of the competition, I'd say I'm pretty excited about it! I understand the importance of physical fitness and self care, and I also value that the "competition" is trying to place more emphasis on well rounded, talented, educated, and passionate women, and to become less exclusive. An organization that truly embodies those ideals would be amazing, especially in this time of change and women empowerment, so if that comes at the expense of a swimsuit competition, that sounds like an excellent trade off to me. This change makes me feel more proud to be a part of the Miss America 2.0 Organization. With this movement the pageant is focusing on the elements of the pageant that made me want to get into this in the first place, by advertising each contestant's talent and by honoring her passion and efforts toward her platform."
-How will this change the competition?
"Before, when people found out that I competed in pageants, the first thing I would often here was a mumbled, "Oh, so does that mean you do the bikini thing too?" and I would mumble back, "Yes, that's a part of it..." but now, I can be proud to compete in a scholarship competition with other brilliant and passionate women, who are no longer judged on their looks, but on their brains and values as individuals."
What is something you wish everyone knew about pageants and competitions?
"One thing that everyone should know about pageants is that they are really not like most pageant stereotypes. Through the Miss America Organization, I have made more professional connections and had more lively, intellectual conversations with trailblazing women than I have had in any other context. I think that the new changes to the organization are fitting for the time of positive change that we are in, and I hope that these changes send out a message of open arms and inclusivity so that all women can grow, learn, and benefit from being a part of the Miss America Organization."
Yet some members of the pageant/competition world aren't completely convinced. I spoke with a young woman who is a former titleholder who has participated in multiple pageants in both the Miss America and Miss USA systems who doesn't completely agree with the removal of the swimsuit portion. I asked her a few questions about the recent changes to the competition:
Were your experiences in pageants positive? Did they involve a swimsuit portion?
"All pageants I've competed in have involved swimsuit. I've competed in both the Miss America and the Miss USA system. They were both extremely positive and empowering."
What do you think about the removal of the swimsuit portion?
"I don't agree with the removal of the swimsuit portion. The idea that the swimsuit portion "objectifies women" is assuming that women get up there on stage in a bikini for men. When I'm on stage in a swimsuit, I'm not thinking about what random men might be thinking about my body. I'm feeling proud of all the work I put in and extremely confident! Preparing for the swimsuit portion involves extreme discipline and healthy choices. Additionally, a one-piece has always been an option for women not comfortable in a bikini."
How will this change the competition?
"I do see how this would make the competition more inclusive for women not comfortable on stage in a swimsuit. However, it completely changes the health and discipline aspects of the competition. I wish they would include the option for women to wear fitness attire instead if they wish."
Would you still compete?
"No. I wouldn't compete in a pageant that removed the swimsuit portion. I don't believe women need to cover-up and hide their bodies in order to be appropriate."
The swimsuit portion of the competition is about...
"Confidence."
What is something you wish everyone knew about pageants and competitions?
"I wish everyone understood that pageants are so much more than what happens on stage. The interview is the most important part of the competition. Many people see just what's on TV and forget these women all have interviews with the judges. Before they are ever seen in their swimsuits, they have a private interview with the judges where they share what they're passionate about, how they're helping their communities, and their ambitions. That's the judges' first impression. Just because viewers only see the on-stage question, gown, and swimsuit, that's not the only thing these amazing women are being judged on."
All Miss America 2019 Competition updates can be found here.
