UPDATE DECEMBER 17, 2021:
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — The contestant from Alaska has been crowned Miss America at an event marking the competition’s 100th anniversary. What began as a 1921 Atlantic City beauty pageant has evolved away from the emphasis on looks alone with a new focus on leadership, talent and communication skills. Contestants are no longer judged on physical appearance. Fifty-one contestants representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia were competing for the centennial crown and $100,000 in college scholarships. Emma Broyles of Alaska was named the winner Thursday night (Dec. 16, 2021).
ORIGINAL STORY DECEMBER 15, 2021):
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — As Miss America turns 100, a major question remains unanswered: Is she still relevant? The competition is marking its 100th anniversary on Thursday (Dec. 17, 2021), having managed to maintain a complicated spot in American culture. While viewership has dropped since its 1960s heyday and the event is moving from broadcast television to streaming, Miss America enthusiasts contend the ritual is here to stay. The competition has undergone an at times painful evolution, criticized for its lack of diversity. An expert describes Miss America as in “a bind because as it tries to progress, it not only loses its original identity, but becomes less entertaining to the people who like to watch it.”
Comments