She was asked to resign for removing the bikini segment from a beauty pageant.
US states are reacting to the decision to eliminate the swimsuit competition from Miss America starting in 2019.
According toUSA TodayOn July 8th, representatives from the organizing committees of 22 state-level beauty pageants across the US jointly signed a petition demanding the resignation of the Miss America Organization's leadership following its decision to eliminate the bikini segment in June. The petition specifically names President Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper.
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The Miss America organizers removed the bikini competition in 2019. |
Conversely, 30 former Miss America winners held contrasting views. They also sent letters to media outlets, expressing their full support for the leaders of the Miss America Organization for their efforts to improve the competition.
Regina Hopper shared this onThe Press"There will always be people who disagree or find it difficult to accept change. The Miss America Organization welcomes those who are willing to step up and be a part of a program that provides scholarships and opportunities for young women."
Since last December, the Miss America Organization has been in turmoil following the scandal involving leaked emails from CEO Sam Haskell, which mocked and criticized the contestants' appearances. Sam Haskell subsequently resigned, replaced by three female leaders.
In early June, the organizers of the Miss USA pageant announced...The swimsuit competition will be discontinued starting in 2019. (Organizers of the competition)Miss USA also eliminated the evening gown competition and instead required contestants to wear an outfit they felt most confident in. Some fans and contestants of the competition supported this move, seeing it as a sign of progress and a change in how women are judged.
The Miss America pageant has been held in the United States since 1921, with representatives from states across the country. The prize for the winner is a valuable scholarship to any university. This long-standing competition has been overshadowed by the later Miss USA pageant. Miss USA has ample funding, and its winners are often chosen to represent the United States in the Miss Universe competition.
