Miss Teen USA will not showcase girls in bikinis and swimsuits anymore. The Miss Universe Organization announced this week that the beauty pageant's swimsuit competition will be ditched in favor of athletic outfits.
The Miss Universe organization announced on Wednesday via USA Today that the swimsuit portion of the pageant will be replaced by an athletic wear competition. Pageant organizers said Miss Teen USA' swimsuit portion is a way to showcase the candidates' athleticism and healthy physique, but it can be exploitative given that the girls' ages range between 14 and 19.
According to the Miss Universe organization, an athletic portion is "more focused on the importance of physical fitness for its younger participants, mirroring the rise of athleisure" with teenagers, a demographic that the pageant targets. In line with the recent shift, Miss Teen USA tweeted that it empowers young women who "lead active, purposeful lives."
Miss Teen USA joins contestants from 50 states and Washington, D.C. The contest awards scholarship money to the winner of the crown, E! News reported.
Miss Teen USA Receives Praises
Reigning Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik only has positive words about the changes being made by the pageant. According to the 16-year-old beauty queen, she frequently wears athletic wear because of her softball and competitive dance habits. For Haik, Miss Teen USA's new direction will celebrate the active lives of numerous young women and will inspire their peers to commit to a sport or any physical activity.
The "athleisure" trend has gained popularity in recent years thanks in part to celebrities. Popular personalities like Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Taylor Swift, Hailey Baldwin, Gigi Hadid and Jessica Alba are following the sporty but fashion-forward trend. Some athleisure brands are Carbon38, Goldsheep, L'urv, Michi and Solow. Beyoncé also has her own activewear lines, NBC News noted.
Miss Universe Organization's Rebranding
According to USA Today, Miss Teen USA's shift is consistent with the rebranding of the Miss Universe Organization. Talent agency WME-IMG has bought the organization from its former owner Donald Trump after the backlash gained by the Republican presidential candidate's controversial remarks about undocumented immigrants.
Miss Universe president Paula Shugart said Miss Teen USA's move is aimed to celebrate women's power, beauty and confidence through a different and more constructive path. Pageant coach Valerie Hayes said the shift will likely convince parents to allow their children to join the pageant now that the issue of baring their nearly naked bodies to the public is gone.
Miss Teen USA's shift will likely drive the athleisure business to the top as well. This year's Miss Teen USA pageant will take place on July 30 in Las Vegas. Check out the new contestants here.
