Former Miss America contestants react to swimsuit ban: ‘It’s okay to be proud of inner and outer beauty’

The organisation has announced the change in an effort to place less emphasis on the physical appearances of the contestants

The announcement that the Miss America pageant will no longer include the swimsuit and evening gown portions of the competition has been met with mixed reactions.

While many have praised the move as a positive step towards empowering women and placing a greater value on their intellect than their appearance, others have not concurred with this point of view.

A number of former Miss America contestants have expressed their opinions on the matter, with some disagreeing vehemently with the decision.

Kendall Morris, a news anchor and Miss Texas 2011 titleholder has explained her stance on the situation.

“As a former Miss America swimsuit winner, I have mixed feelings about getting rid of that part of the competition,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I do see the benefits to the fitness competition because it taught me a lifelong discipline beyond the Miss America stage.”

However, she also went on to say that she’s looking forward to witnessing how the competition progresses and develops in future.

On the other hand, political commentator and Miss Ohio 2014 Madison Gesiotto averred that she cannot see how the pageant will remain popular with the changes to its format.

“#MissAmerica will cease to exist without the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Nobody will watch!!!” she wrote on Twitter.

“It’s okay to be proud of both inner and outer beauty. They are not mutually exclusive.”

Ericka Dunlap, who won the competition in 2004, told the Orlando Sentinel that “you can be a feminist in a swimsuit.”

She expressed her views further on Twitter, explaining that in her opinion, everyday life is already a beauty pageant as everyone judges each other on their outward appearance anyway.

Gretchen Carlson, winner of Miss America in 1989 and current chairwoman of the organisation’s board of directors, conveyed her confusion over the negative reaction considering the criticism that the competition has received in the past.

“All of these people who have criticised the #MissAmerica competition for decades because we supposedly objectified women with swimsuit are now saying ‘how could you get rid of it?’ Really?” she tweeted.

Aside from those who believe the elimination of the swimsuit and evening gown elements of the contest ill-advised, others believe doing so will help inspire the participants and viewers of the show to aspire to make real change in the world.

“Miss America’s new mission statement is: ‘To prepare great women for the world, and to prepare the world for great women,’” said Regina Hopper, president and CEO of Miss America.

“We want more young women to see this programme as a platform upon which they can advance their desire to make a real difference and to provide them with the necessary skills and resources for them to succeed in any career path they choose."