No swimsuit competition at Miss America? No problem, Miss Alabama says

Updated 12:05 AM; Posted Sep 4, 9:15 AM

By Mary Colurso mcolurso@al.com

Callie Walker's trunk for the Miss America competition is filled with elegant gowns, flirty dresses, kicky shoes and at least one comfy jumpsuit.

One item is missing, though, from her wardrobe as Miss Alabama 2018.

A swimsuit.

Walker, 20, didn't pack a bikini, a tank, a two-piece or bathing gear of any kind for her trip to Atlantic City, N.J.

She doesn't need it for the competition, which takes place this week and concludes on Sunday with a televised finale. The Miss America organization eliminated its swimsuit strut earlier this year, citing concerns that it objectified the contestants -- now called "candidates" -- and was not in keeping for its goals for "Miss America 2.0."

"We are not going to judge you on your outward appearance," Gretchen Carlson, chairwoman of the pageant's board of directors, said in June on ABC's "Good Morning America." "We are moving it forward and evolving it in this cultural revolution."

Swimsuits were nixed, Carlson said, to help Miss America refashion its image into a more modern and empowered mode, presenting the women competing for the crown as strong and relevant. The talent portion of the competition would be given more emphasis as a result, she said, and the evening gown segment would be revised. An on-stage interview was added to the agenda, as well.

State and local organizations were allowed to keep the swimsuit portion of their pageants this year -- including the Miss Alabama pageant in June -- but Carlson made it clear that women in the national competition would be showing less skin.

"We're changing out of our swimsuits and into a whole new era," a tweet from the Miss America organization said. "#byebyebikini"

Cara Mund
✔
@MissAmerica
We’re changing out of our swimsuits and into a whole new era #byebyebikini #MissAmerica2019

8:51 AM - Jun 5,

2018
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The transition to Miss America 2.0 hasn't been an easy one, as pageant organizers, former winners and contestants around the country have grappled with the swimsuit issue. Is it a revered tradition or an embarrassing throwback? Opinions are mixed, and the folks involved seem deeply polarized.

Other controversies have erupted, as well, involving criticism of Carlson's leadership and protests by the current Miss America, Cara Mund, that she's been bullied and silenced by Miss America's power brokers.

With all the strife behind the scenes, it's a difficult year to be part of the Miss America hoopla. But the current group of candidates is forging on, participating in a week of activities that range from preliminary competitions to public appearances to the annual Show Us Your Shoes parade.

Callie Walker competes in a swimsuit preliminary for the Miss Alabama 2018 pageant. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com)

On the swimsuit frontier, Miss Alabama 2018 seems to be taking the change in stride. During a phone interview from Atlantic City, Walker sounded entirely sanguine about the lack of a swimsuit event, saying she was disappointed at first but has left that emotion far behind.

"Looking back, yes, I was very sad to see the swimsuit competition go," Walker told AL.com. "But it's not in the back of my mind. I'm so excited to be here, and make the experience the best that I can. Sometimes change is hard, but I have to embrace change."

Still, like some of her fellow candidates for Miss America 2019 -- including Miss New Jersey 2018, Jaime Gialloreto -- Walker has been hitting the gym for years, toning her physique in anticipation of swimsuit events like the one previously held at the national competition.

"Seeing that aspect of the competition go was a little disappointing because we all worked out so hard," Walker said.

Miss N.J. made the gym her temple. Then Miss America torched swimsuits and sparked a pageant holy war
Miss N.J. made the gym her temple. Then Miss America torched swimsuits and sparked a pageant holy war

Swimsuits are no longer part of the Miss America pageant. Miss New Jersey, Jaime Gialloreto, will compete for the 2019 crown on Sept. 9, but opposes the decision. Meanwhile, a civil war between Miss America executives, the reigning Miss America, state pageants and former titleholders has consumed the pageant.

In Walker's view, the swimsuit event gives her a chance to show that she's healthy and fit as she's walking down the runway.

"I never felt like I was being objectified," Walker said. "I felt like I was presenting my best self, and I was proud."

In addition, she'd like to have a chance to compete at the same level as her mother, Angela Tower Walker, a former Miss Alabama who won the swimsuit preliminary at the Miss America pageant in 1985.

"She's got me beat," Walker said. "I won't have a chance to match what she did."

The bottom line, though, is that Walker said she respects the decision made by the Miss America organization. Walker added that she's focusing on the activities that are on her agenda this week, instead of bemoaning an event that's gone.

"I just hope that I make Alabama proud with what I present at the competition," Walker said. "Being here is pretty awesome."

Miss Alabama on her parade costume: 'It's pretty crazy, but I love it'
Miss Alabama on her parade costume: 'It's pretty crazy, but I love it'

Callie Walker will pay homage to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center during the Show Us Your Shoes Parade on Sept. 8, 2018, in Atlantic City, N.J. It's part of the hoopla leading up to the Miss America competition on Sept. 9.

If you watch: The Miss America 2019 competition airs on Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. CT on ABC.

https://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2018/09/no_swimsuit_competition_at_mis.html