Miss America Chairwoman Gretchen Carlson Under Fire for Eliminating Swimsuit Competition
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Officials from 22 state pageants have signed a petition calling for the resignations of the board, including Carlson and President and CEO Regina Hopper, while 30 former Miss Americas support the decision.

AceShowbiz - Miss America Chairwoman Gretchen Carlson is facing criticisms after announcing that the swimsuit competition has been dropped from this year's competition. A petition calling out the new board, consisting of Carlson, President and CEO Regina Hopper as well as other former pageant winners, have been launched, asking for their resignations.

The new leaders have begun making changes in the pageant and allow contestants to wear something other than a gown if they want during the evening-wear portion. These decisions were said to be inspired by the #MeToo movement as Carlson herself was an early leader of the movement.

But former Miss America winners and state pageant officials are split over these changes. Representatives from 22 state pageants are against the board's decision and have signed a petition calling for the resignations of the new Miss America board.

"As dedicated members of our state and local communities who lend our reputations, financial support and voluntary efforts to facilitate MAO's long and powerful mission of empowering women to stand up and speak out, we find ourselves needing to use our own voices of leadership to express our profound disappointment regarding what, in our view, is the failed leadership of the entire MAO Board of Trustees," they said in a statement.

On the other hand, 30 former Miss Americas support these changes. They said in a letter on Saturday, July 7, "We hope the voices of our majority can and will be heard."

Carlson explained the changes they made to the pageant when appearing on a television interview last month. "We're no longer judging women when they come out in their chosen attire, their evening wear, whatever they choose to do," she said. "It's going to be what comes out of their mouth that we're interested in, when they talk about their social impact initiatives."

Hopper, meanwhile, said that "there are always those who disagree with or find it hard to accept change." She said the organization welcomes "those who want to move forward and be a part of a revitalized program dedicated to providing scholarships and opportunities to all young women."

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