The Latest on the Miss America Organization eliminating its swimsuit competition (all times local):
9:50 a.m.
The Miss America pageant says it is dropping the swimsuit competition in favor of an interactive session between judges and contestants.
The group announced Tuesday it is eliminating the swimsuit competition and making changes to its evening wear section, no longer requiring contestants to wear gowns.
Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America who leads the group’s board of trustees, says it will no longer judge women on their appearance.
Rather, she says, it’s what comes out of their mouths that counts.
The organization says the contestants will highlight their achievements and goals in life and how they’ll use their talents, passion and ambition to perform the job of Miss America.
The changes will take effect with this year’s broadcast on Sept. 9 from Atlantic City, New Jersey.
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7:50 a.m.
The Miss America Organization is dropping the swimsuit competition from its nationally televised broadcast, saying it will no longer judge contestants on their appearance.
Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America who is head of the organization’s board of trustees, made the announcement Tuesday on "Good Morning America."
She also says the group will make changes to the evening wear portion of the competition, adding it will not judge women on their chosen attire.
The changes follow an email scandal in December in which former leaders denigrated the intelligence and personal lives of former Miss Americas.
That led to a shakeup at the top, and the group’s top three leadership posts are now held by women.
The changes will start with this year’s broadcast on Sept. 9.
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