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The event, founded as a swimsuit beauty pageant
intended to draw visitors to Atlantic City at the end of the
summer, will no longer call itself a "pageant," in 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 are no longer a pageant, we are a competition. We will no
longer judge our candidates on their outward physical
appearance. That's huge," Gretchen Carlson, chair of the Board
of Trustees of the Miss America Organization said on ABC News'
"Good Morning America."
Carlson, a former winner of the 97-year-old contest, said in a
statement that judges would instead focus on competitors'
scholarship, talent and social impact.
The swimsuit competition will be replaced by a panel interview
of contestants, the group said in a statement.
ABC, owned by the Walt Disney Co, broadcasts the competition,
which will be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sept. 9 this
year.
The group's top leadership resigned in December following media
reports that former executives had sent lewd emails about past
winners.
The contest will also no longer judge women during the evening
gown portion of the competition, instead encouraging contestants
to use the event to express their personal style.
"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."
(Reporting by Gina Cherelus; Editing by Scott Malone and
Bernadette Baum)
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