Bye Bye Bikinis: Is This a New Era for Miss America?

An integral part of the event since its founding, Miss America has scrapped its swimsuit competition.

(Photo Courtesy: Lou Rocco/Getty Images)

Sweeping changes are being made to the prestigious Miss America pageant.

Founded by New Jersey businessmen in 1921, the event has, for the first time, removed its iconic swimsuit portion. The next edition of the pageant is to be held in September 2018.

The 97-year-old event seeks to redefine itself and become representative of the modern woman, in an era defined by the #MeToo movement and debates around gender equality.

Gretchen Carlson, the Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Miss America organisation, announced that the event will pivot away from judging contestants based on their “outward appearance’’.

We are no longer a pageant. We are a competition. We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance.

Gretchen Carlson, Chairwoman of the Organisation (via ABC News)

The evening gown portion of the competition is also being scrapped. All 51 participants (from each of the States) now have the freedom to wear any evening attire that they feel comfortable in.

The Miss America organisation is mostly under female management that currently seeks to reorient the ceremony, to be in line with the perceived role of Miss America : to champion a social cause of their own choosing, throughout the country, in their winning year.

Cara Mund, Miss America 2018.(Photo Courtesy: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

‘What a Positive Change!’ Say Tweeple

The news of the scraping spread like wildfire on social media, and Tweeple celebrated this move towards inclusion of different body types.

Mixed Feelings for Some on Twitter

As with most changes, there were a few people who disagreed with it.

Whatever may be said of the decision, it has certainly generated a lot of buzz. What do you think of this change? Share your views in the comments section.