Changes in Miss America format leaves Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant officials concerned

BY DAVID THOMAS AUGUST 17, 2018

The controversy that swirls around the Miss America Pageant after Cara Mund – the reigning crown holder – sent a letter to former winners has a trickle down effect that’s reached Jackson.

In her letter, Mund states the rhetoric about empowering women, and openness and transparency, is great; but the reality is quite different – a difference she is living.

Jimmy Exum, pageant president of the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant, which is held annually at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, sees an ill wind blowing.

“We feel like the present Miss America has been treated improperly we feel like the goals and ambitions we have for young ladies are not the same ones that they are operating on in Atlantic City (New Jersey), right now,” Exum said. “The new regime, headed by Gretchen Carlson, removed all the board members, took over complete control of Miss America, and they are not representative of what we have worked so hard for, here in Tennessee.”

Gretchen Carlson, Miss America, 1989, is an American television commentator, author and the chairwoman of the Miss America board of directors.

“We totally disagree with them,” Exum said. “We totally disagree with the leadership. We think the leadership is going to kill the pageant, and we feel strongly this system needs to be preserved.”

Exum said Gretchen her board members are trying to make Miss America into a MeToo organization.

“… and that’s not what we are,” Exum said. “They even took the word ‘pageant’ out – it’s no longer the Miss America Pageant. They say the physical attributes of a girl are not that important. The swimsuit (competition) has been totally removed, and there will be some type facsimile of a gown – but I don’t know what.

“Basically, what they are saying is, the interview will be the whole deal.”

Again, Exum said Carlson and a new board of directors is the crowning blow.

“This is a beauty contest – not an essay contest,” Exum said. “I’m not sure it will continue as it is – the leadership of the pageant is not interested in the direction they are going, but this is very important for the City of Jackson, but we’re not interested in continuing down the path they are going.”

NOTE: Jimmy Exum will be a guest with Dan Reaves & Sea Bass on The 180 at 8:30 a.m., Monday

(PHOTO: Jimmy Exum, pageant president of the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant)

https://wnws.com/changes-in-miss-america-format-leaves-miss-tennessee-scholarship-pageant-officials-concerned/