On June 13, 2018, Gretchen Carlson announced that the Miss America Organization would be doing away with the swimsuit portion of the competition and focus more on a women's intelligence than her appearance.
Even though her initial announcement had a fair amount of backlash, there was still many people who supported her decision. However, each day more tables turn and more people change their opinion whether it be changed in favor of or against Gretchen Carlson.
I, for one, was someone who was against the elimination of swimsuit. Having competed in many prelims that required swimsuit, I never saw the harsh affects it was having on some girls. I was someone who told myself that no matter what 4 or 5 judges said about me, I knew that I was beautiful and didn't need to change who I was. It wasn't until I competed in my state pageant that I realized the affects the swimsuit portion was having on some girls. Many girls didn't feel "skinny enough" or "beautiful enough" unless they won swimsuit and they were willing to do anything it took to make sure they did.
The problem is, the judges don't see what goes on behind the scenes to get that body. They don't see which girls are eating healthy and working out versus the girls that are just starving themselves causing borderline eating disorders. And if the girl starving herself wins, then the judges are just validating her unhealthy ways.
Am I glad swimsuit is gone? YES. Do I wish there was still a fitness and lifestyle portion of Miss America? Absolutely. Health and fitness is something that should always be important. However, it isn't something that can be obtained by depriving your body of the nutrients and food it needs. And if getting rid of swimsuit helps to end the belief that you have to be rail thin to be beautiful, then I will forever support it.
