The Miss America Organization has made a crucial amendment to their annual pageant, as they will no longer judge a candidate based on their physical appearance. This effectively ensures that the swimsuit competition will no longer be an aspect of the competition.
Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America and is now the head of the organization's board of trustees, appeared on Good Morning America on Tuesday morning to announce "we’re not going to judge you on your appearance because we are interested in what makes you you." Carlson notes how the rest of the committee has heard from potential contestants who note how they "don’t want to be out there in high heels and swimsuits."
Carlson is not fearful that ratings may plummet due to the elimination of the swimsuit competition, because, according to data, the talent portion of the evening receives the most views.
Moving forward, "it's what comes out of their mouths that we care about," not the way in which women are perceived on a strictly somatic level.