Miss. Teen USA is one of America’s highest-profile beauty
pageants. Founded 33 years ago, the competition has always featured rounds
where contestants compete in private interviews with the judges, and
presentation rounds in evening wear, and swim suits. However, change is coming
this July 30th at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. For the first
year ever, the swimsuit round has been eliminated. Instead, the 51 women will
be judged in a brand-new athletic wear competition.
The pageant’s organizers stated that the swimsuit portions
were always intended to show off the athleticism of the competitors. However,
the swimsuit category was chastised for exploiting and sexualizing young women
and not promoting diverse body types. The new athletic-wear portion will now
focus on young women’s health and wellness.
Former Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik always wanted to
eliminate the swimsuit round. “I have always been an athlete my entire life. As
member of a softball team and a competitive dance team, I spend a lot of time
in athletic wear,” she stated. “This new direction for Miss Teen USA is a great
way to celebrate the active lives that so many women lead and set a strong
example for our peers.”
The pageant’s shift from swimsuits to athletic wear is also
a smart business move, chasing the rise of athleisure fashion, says former Miss
Virginia Nancy Redd. “Teens are spending 1 percent of their life in a bathing
suite and 50 percent in athleisure. The pageant is following the trend of who
can sponsor them.”
Reaction to the new decision was overwhelmingly positive,
with many comments from former contestants and judges. This big switch could
impact the other pageants in the Miss. Universe organization. It will be
interesting to see if they follow the lead of Miss Teen USA. The 2016 Miss Teen USA pageant will be held
in Las Vegas on July 30th.
Written by Lexie Gomez of Rebecca Adele PR & Events
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