According toUSA TodayOn July 8, representatives of the organizing committees of 22 state-level pageants in the United States jointly signed a petition, demanding that the leadership of the Miss America Organization resign following the decision to eliminate the bikini competition in June. The petition specifically names chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper.

Miss America organizers remove bikini competition from 2019

In contrast, 30 former Miss America winners have opposing views. They also sent letters to media outlets, expressing their full support for the Miss America Organization's leaders for their efforts to improve the pageant.

Ms. Regina Hopper shared onThe Press: "There will always be people who disagree or have difficulty accepting 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."

The Miss America Organization has been in turmoil since December of last year following the leak of emails from CEO Sam Haskell, in which he mocked and criticized the appearance of contestants. Sam Haskell later resigned, and was replaced by three female leaders.

In early June, the Miss America pageant organizers announcedwill drop the swimsuit competition from 2019. The contest organizersMiss America also dropped the evening gown competition and instead asked contestants to wear what they felt most confident in. Some fans and contestants welcomed the 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 winner receives a substantial scholarship to any university. This long-standing pageant has been eclipsed by the later Miss USA. Miss USA has a large budget and its winners are often chosen to represent the United States in the Miss Universe pageant.