Miss America factions clash over pageant's new, swimsuit-free direction

The Associated Press Published 11:36 a.m. ET July 8, 2018

The Miss America Organization says contestants will no longer be judged on outward appearance. USA TODAY

(Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Former Miss America winners and state pageant officials are split over the leadership and direction of the organization, which was rocked by a 2017 email scandal that led to the resignations of its top leaders.

Representatives from 22 state pageants have signed a petition calling for the resignations of the new Miss America board, including Chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and President and CEO Regina Hopper, The Press of Atlantic City reported Saturday.

But in a letter to the newspaper, 30 former Miss Americas said they "fully support" Carlson, Miss America 1989, and the board members "who are and have been working tirelessly to move our program forward."

The Miss America organization is regrouping after a December scandal in which emails surfaced showing that CEO Sam Haskell and others mocked winners' intelligence, looks and sex lives. Haskell resigned Dec. 23, followed by board members.

The shake-up at the organization has resulted in the top three positions being held by women, and the new leaders have begun making changes. The swimsuit competition has been dropped and in the evening-wear portion contestants will be allowed to wear something other than a gown if they want. The talent portion of the contest will remain.

The petition from the state pageant officials expressed a vote of "no confidence" in the Miss America Organization's board of trustees. It cited a lack of transparency and adherence to best practices, The Press said.

"As dedicated members of our state and local communities who lend our reputations, financial support and voluntary efforts to facilitate (the Miss America organization's) long and powerful mission of empowering women to stand up and speak out, we find ourselves needing to use our own voices of leadership to express our profound disappointment regarding what, in our view, is the failed leadership of the entire MAO Board of Trustees," the petition said.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/07/08/miss-america-camps-clash-over-pageants-new-swimsuit-free-direction/766282002/