# Miss America no longer a beauty pageant **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 5, 2018, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458 "2018-06-05T12:28:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2018, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/41 "2018-06-12T05:34:28Z")
I agree it’s about presentation. I graduated with Miss Arkansas. She was not remotely the prettiest person in my class, but she looked really nice in her pageant gown. I also graduated with a girl who was honestly not what most people would consider sexy, but she once told me about having a modeling gig, and she looked just like any other model in the pics. That said, I think it’s a good thing they got rid of the swimsuit part, and think it might actually help the ratings. At the very least, I expect it to help this year, as people will likely tune in to see how it’s changed. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/42 "2018-06-13T03:34:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > So, an event that over time has become totally irrelevant is being tweaked so that it is relevant? > > Naaaah. I think it used to be relevant for a bad purpose. The new way is irrelevant for any purpose, good or bad. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/43 "2018-06-13T03:37:28Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > Well that blows, gonna have to switch over to watching the victoria’s secret show. That’s exactly what I meant. That was the only “value” the original pageant had. Now it has no value at all. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/44 "2018-06-15T21:13:54Z")
I won’t believe appearance has been removed from consideration until someone can show me a contestant who isn’t thin. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/45 "2018-06-15T21:20:35Z")
> [@Covfefe](#): > > I won’t believe appearance has been removed from consideration until someone can show me a contestant who isn’t thin. Or who doesn’t have good teeth, or who has a congenital facial deformity. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/46 "2018-06-15T21:22:29Z")
I understand America’s Got Talent pulls in [decent ratings](https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2017/08/28/americas-got-talent-ratings-winner/596169001/). Miss America could also work the reality show angle. They could also reverse course. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/47 "2018-06-16T22:09:09Z")
I don’t think I’ve watched a pageant since I was a kid and that was for the pretty dresses. I hate to say it, but the whole point really is to judge based on looks. That’s why they’re called “beauty pageants”. “Personality” catagories is only a smokescreen. They’re outdated and will probably be obsolete in a few years. Child beauty pageants should be nuked from orbit, the sooner the better. > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > …which did indirectly give us [this scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBQn-oPqdrA), so it’s not a total wash. [This one’s better.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YmDcCpD1gc) ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/48 "2018-07-01T05:25:12Z")
Okay, I just got back from the Miss West Virginia pageant. There was a formal-gown presentation. The gowns were stunning; no reason I can see to eliminate that event. There was also a swimsuit presentation, **but** , prior to that, there was a “fitness” event. Contestants wore spandex leggings and tank tops to do some flexing and other aerobics moves, plus two pushups. Perhaps that’s what will take the place of swimsuit at the national pageant in September. (And for the record, Miss West Virginia 2018 is one Madeline Collins.) ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/49 "2018-07-01T20:03:01Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > People still watch Miss America? Well, not any more. A Miss America without the beauty aspect is like American Idol without the singing. Or Playboy without the nudity. It doesn’t work, because it takes away the core reason for its existence. Maybe that’s a good thing. Beauty Pageants feel like they belong back in the 70’s and 80’s. But the idea that this is what people want is crazy. I expect a huge drop in ratings. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/50 "2018-07-01T20:34:37Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > A Miss America without the beauty aspect is like American Idol without the singing. So, an improvement? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/51 "2018-07-01T23:40:53Z")
as I mentioned above the pageant was on TLC cable not long ago and they tried the reality type angle. They worked with the 2 hosts of What not to Wear to help them look better. It lasted 1 or 2 years in that format. ---
**Author:** ![Princess\_Perfume](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/princess_perfume/32/16518_2.png) [@Princess\_Perfume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princess_Perfume)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/52 "2018-07-05T10:07:04Z")
Speaking as a winner of one, many child beauty contests were small, fun, local things that no one took seriously outside the town. Try to explain that to a raging leftist who only sees JonBenet Ramsey in lipstick and blush. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/53 "2018-09-08T08:49:47Z")
Just a heads up: Miss America 2.0 will be on ABC TV this Sunday night, Sept 9, 2018. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/54 "2018-09-08T14:07:30Z")
The world is evolving - fewer contests to judge women solely based on looks but more porn at your fingertips created every week than one could consume in an entire lifetime. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/55 "2018-09-09T12:06:50Z")
I wonder how many who watch don’t know the swimsuits have been axed. They might not be happy. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/56 "2018-09-09T14:00:48Z")
> [@Covfefe](#): > > I won’t believe appearance has been removed from consideration until someone can show me a contestant who isn’t thin. Or until they make it a write in competition, and stop showing the contestants at all. I’m a caveman, I’m ok with swimsuit competitions. I’m also ok with them goin away. Whats messed up is what they’re doing now. Gutting the show, claiming it ain’t what it is etc. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/57 "2018-09-10T05:18:23Z")
“If you could select one special power which you would be guaranteed not to fail at, what would it be?” So let’s see, you could cure cancer, stop climate change, feed the poor, educate the world, stop war… What would you choose? Contestant’s answer: “I would spread the word about the relevance of the Miss America Program in empowering women.” Not exact quotes, but I am seriously not misrepresenting. ---
**Author:** ![bionic\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/49beb7/32.png) [@bionic\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bionic_man)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/58 "2018-09-10T07:25:26Z")
I don’t care about their looks but how they think they can save a the world. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/59 "2018-09-10T10:18:07Z")
> [@bionic\_man](#): > > I don’t care about their looks but how they think they can save a the world. If we’re counting on Miss America to save the world, we are _so_ fucked. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458/60 "2018-09-10T10:36:56Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Contestant’s answer: “I would spread the word about the relevance of the Miss America Program in empowering women.” > Not exact quotes, but I am seriously not misrepresenting. …also from Miss America: ["“From the state with 84 percent of the u.s. fresh water but none for its residents to drink, I am Miss Michigan Emily Sioma.”](http://www.vulture.com/2018/09/miss-michigan-calls-out-flint-water-crisis-during-pageant.html) That was an exact quote: I am seriously not misrepresenting, and that was fucking awesome. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-america-no-longer-a-beauty-pageant/815458.md?page=2)