Miss America eliminates swimsuit competition, won't judge physical appearance anymore

Miss America Pageant 2018.
(Image credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Dick Clark Productions)

The Miss America organization has eliminated the swimsuit portion of its competition for the first time in its 96-year history.

"We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance," Miss America chairwoman Gretchen Carlson told Good Morning America. "It's going to be what comes out of their mouth that we're interested in, when they talk about their social impact initiatives."

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.