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Culture > Entertainment

Some People On Twitter Seriously Don’t Get Why Miss America Removed Their Swimsuit Competition

Carissa Dunlap

The Miss America competition is doing some major overhaul in its rules this year. According to Variety, the Miss America organization leaders announced on Tuesday that they will no longer judge its contestants on the basis of physical appearance.

“We are no longer a pageant,” said Gretchen Carlson, who is the chair of the board of trustees of the organization, former Miss America and Fox News anchor, this morning on Good Morning America.

The new changes also mean an end to the much-reviled swimsuit portion of the competition. Instead, the organization said there would be a “live interactive session with the judges, where [contestants] will highlight her achievements and goals in life, and how she will use her talents, passion and ambition to perform the job of Miss America.”

Basically, the competition will be less focused on beauty, and more on what contestants bring to the table intellectually.

“We’re not going to judge you on your outward appearance, because we’re interested in what makes you you. Tell us about your goals, and your achievements in life,” Carlson told GMA.

Carlson came on board after months of controversy sparked by the disclosure of emails revealing some of the organizations leaders making disparaging remarks about current and former contestants, as reported by the Washington Post.

She accredited the #MeToo movement for the overhauling of the event. According to CNN, in 2016, Carlson sued Fox News chief executive officer Roger Ailes for sexual harassment and ever since has become an outspoken advocate for victims in the Me Too era.

“We’re experiencing a cultural revolution in our country with women finding the courage to stand up and have their voices heard on many issues. Miss America is proud to evolve as an organization and join this empowerment movement,” Carlson said in a statement.

The organizations new goal is to be more “open, transparent, and inclusive” for all women of different shapes and sizes. The official Twitter account feature a short video of a bikini up in flames and attached was the hashtag #byebyebikini.

As well, the evening gown portion of the competition will now allow contestants to “wear whatever they want”. During that part of the competition, CNN reports, contestants would talk how they would advance their social-impact initiatives. The talent portion of the contest will stay.

But of course, many on social media just don’t seem to understand the point of this change.

Like this guy.

Excuse me while I roll my eyes in disgust.

Some people think no one will watch now.

But don’t worry, people on Twitter were quick to fight back.

Yes, some respect!

Who is up for the challenge?

Ready for hopefully more inclusion!

Yikes!

Carissa Dunlap is a Her Campus News X Social Intern for Summer 2018. She is a current Publishing major and Journalism minor at Emerson College (Class of 2020). When she isn't perusing the YA bookshelf at the bookstore, she can be found watching dog videos on Facebook, at her favorite coffee shops, or relaxing on the beach. Follow her on Instagram @dunlapcarissa or Twitter @Caridunlap.