Column: Could the resignations of Miss Teen USA and Miss USA mark a turning point for the pageant world?
Two beauty pageant champions - Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava - have shared their reasons for leaving, with Voigt focusing on her mental health and Srivastava highlighting a conflict between the organization's values and hers. These women are legally restricted in what they can reveal due to strict contracts.
Both Miss Teen USA and Miss USA competitions are part of the larger Miss Universe Organization, which hosts pageants globally. Following Voigt's decision to step down, the Miss USA pageant commented, "We respect and support Noelia's choice to leave her duties," adding that "the well-being of our titleholders is our foremost priority, and we understand the importance of focusing on oneself in such situations." Miss Teen USA made a similar statement after Srivastava's resignation.
The buzz surrounding these departures has brought up an intriguing question: What's the point of beauty pageants in the year 2024?
Some claim that "It's not about beauty, it's a scholarship program" - but although Miss USA states they celebrate "beauty, intelligence, and empowerment," beauty remains the main focus, intelligence rarely seems to be judged, and the meaning of empowerment is frequently diluted. If women were treated equally, with the same respect as men, and assessed based on their character and not their physical attractiveness, there would be no need for beauty pageants.
Regardless of the spin or amount of "empowerment" lingo attached, the truth remains: These events offer a platform to scrutinize females who dress up like dolls and declare the most impressive one.
The interview section of the competition might lead you to think contestants are judged based on their ability to converse, but this doesn't resolve the fundamental issue. Interviews serve to gauge "personality," often a code for how pleasant and feminine a candidate is. These competitions, no matter how the language is rewritten, remain degrading and sexually biased.
It's understandable why some young women are drawn to beauty pageants - society continues to glorify female appearance. Girls are often taught that appearing attractive is of utmost importance. The luckier participants, who match the pageant's ideal, may choose to exploit this advantage. None of them, however, are responsible for the system.
Some accomplished and successful women started their paths in beauty pageants, with some progressing to careers that prioritize appearance and others moving into more skills-based roles. Among them are Diane Sawyer, Lynda Carter, Halle Berry, Sarah Palin, and Vanessa Williams - the first Black Miss America, who was forced to resign after naked photos were exposed in Penthouse magazine. This was due to her not fitting the virginal image the pageant idealized. It took them over 30 years to apologize.
The pageants have attempted to evolve for the current era. Miss USA contestants are no longer confined to never having been married, under 28, non-divorced, childless, and not pregnant. Miss USA has become more inclusive, allowing a broader range of women to compete. However, participants face strict constraints over what they can say or do after they have been crowned, making it challenging to reveal any details.
Although limited information is available, rumors circulate about why Miss USA might have left, suggesting mistreatment by the event's higher-ups. The Miss Universe organization has not responded to CNN's request for comment.
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Every female employee deserves fair treatment at work, no matter if her job involves high-end ball gowns and swimwear competitions. However, the type of treatment she's alleged to have received shouldn't come as a shock, given the general mindset of beauty pageants. When women and girls are viewed as items to be gazed at and scrutinized, while speaking only during brief interviews, it's perhaps not surprising that those in charge of these events might not see them as individuals deserving of respect and autonomy.
Let's cross our fingers for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA to come forward and share their stories. Additionally, let's hope this serves as the start of the end for these demeaning, archaic competitions.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
