Miss Teen USA is known by all over the country. If by any chance you don't know what it is - let me recap. Miss Teen USA is a beauty pageant that teenagers all over the state participate in to be crowned Miss Teen USA. There is traditionally, like all usual beauty pageants, a swimsuit category. This is where all the stunning teenagers come in beach attire to the stage to be judged. It has been a staple in beauty pageants for a very very very long time. Yet, all things come to an end I guess, because goodbye swimsuits, hello athletic wear!
In a recent publication, the heads of the Miss Universe organization said that swimsuits weren't meant to be showing just girls in bikinis, but rather the shape and athleticism of the participant. Sure. However, this change is only for the Miss Teen USA competition. All of other beauty pageants will be still using the swimsuit category. The details of the change that's coming is that the participants now need to wear athletic apparel to be judged! Granted that will probably be just a sports bra and spandex, it is a major step to be seen in this pageant.
Another huge benefit to using athletic apparel is the fact it can show to young women that instead of trying to look good in a bikini, being active and fit is a better way to go. The new athletic take can help to show young girls that being skinny isn't being healthy. Rather, being an athlete and showing off how in shape you are can motivate many lives. This could even help get inactive, obese youth to strive to be like the girls on stage and be in shape. Good on you Miss Teen USA.
This major change actually came after the Miss Universe Organization was bought by a new owner- the previous owner being Donald Trump. This shift from swimsuits to athletic wear was to help show that confidence is being who you are and not being the best looking in a bikini. The Miss Universe Organization wants to "celebrate women's strength, confidence, and beauty" (Miss Universe president Paula Shugart). Another win for the Miss Teen USA pageant.
Past winners are all in support of the new change and believe it is a step in the right direction. There are still many clashing opinions on the topic from pageant followers. A major concern being that the swimsuit category has been a staple in all pageants, and takes away from the competition. Yet, there positive outlooks as this could be beneficial not only to competitors but to teens everywhere. I say those girls should show off no matter what shape their bodies are in. The 2016 Miss Teen USA pageant will be held in Las Vegas on July 30.
