News
‘Miss America’ Rebrands In The #MeToo Era: Eliminates Swimsuit Competition & Wants To Be More “Inclusive”
The 97-year-old ‘Miss America’ pageant has made major changes, which will be seen on the upcoming September 9th broadcast of the competition on ABC. Gretchen Carlson, the current chairwoman of the organization, and the 1989 Miss America winner, and former news anchor, revealed the changes for ‘Miss America’ in the #MeToo era on Tuesday’s episode of Good Morning America.
The biggest being that the swimsuit competition has been axed. As well, according to Carlson, “We are no longer a pageant; we are a competition. We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance.” Instead of the swimsuit t competition, the contestants will take part in a “live interactive session with the judges” that will demonstrate their passion, intelligence, and overall understanding of the role of Miss America.
In addition, the evening gown competition will be revamped, where now women can wear an outfit of their choice. Something that makes them feel confident and expresses their personal style. The former Fox News anchor said, “It’s gonna be what comes out of their mouth that we’re interested in.“
Photo Credit: Getty Images
How this all came to pass: The Miss America Organization board of directors called upon former contestants to help recruit new leadership, after there was a scandal involving derogatory comments made against former contestants about their weight and looks.
Carlson also said, “We are now open, inclusive and transparent” and she wants to “inspire thousands of young people across this country to come and be a part of our program, because we want you, and we want to celebrate your accomplishments and your talents and then we want to hand you scholarships.”
As you know, Carlson settled a reported twenty-million dollar lawsuit against former Fox News chairman and CEO, Roger Ailes, after she accused him of sexual harassment. Thousands of women, according to Carlson, have been inspired to know they can stand up and speak and their voices will be heard since 22 months ago when she revealed her harassment by her employer.
Glad the swimsuits are gone from the ‘Miss America’ competition? Glad to know that the talent portion and what the contestants have to say about themselves and the issues of our time are most important, or are those staples also so dated? Do you think more young women will enter the program of different sizes, colors, and backgrounds, then the cookie-cutter look the old pageant-version has had for almost 10 decades? Do you think this is a positive step forward for young women to win scholarship money based on much more than their looks,? Comment below.
What does wearing a swimsuit have to do with the Me2 movement…i could care less if they remove that part or not…but whats it got to do with Me2…fully clothed women and even some men have been sexually harassed…why dont movies and some cable shows stop parading women in their all instead!!!
I’m glad! I cannot take the metoo movement too serious if we are trying to curtail sexual harassment in this country only to have women putting their assets out there on display! Take cover and show your intellectual talents. THATS sexy!
I am not too impress- these will still be beautiful physically fit young ladies competing — no matter how intelligent they are, they will be judged even unconsciously for their looks. I say when an brilliant 82 year old woman who is slightly overweight with facial hair and no teeth “wins” the competition” then the show has evolved.
As for eliminating the swimsuit competition, I think it will hurt ratings when shows like Victoria Secret Fashion Show and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue are highly consumed by the American public–no one tunes into these “competition” shows to see how smart these women are– so it is damn if you do and damn if you don’t–eventually these “competition” will go the way of the dinosaur –but all social change takes time and this is very small step toward that direction.
Can’t wait to watch them walk around in trench coats and try to put two words together. Gretchen Carlson is nothing but a air head isn’t she the fat leg one that wore the short skirts on camera with everything showing and then cried that she was being sexually harassed ? She received how many million from the law suit? Please ! Do away with it no one watches this stuff anymore.
It is a beauty pageant for gosh sakes not a IQ test please stop with I am woman hear me roar you sound stupid!
Amen, k/kay!!!!! I see this desperately grasping woman is still carrying that #MeToo chip on her shoulder despite making out like a bandit over her sexual harassment allegations which only miraculously surfaced when she discovered her contract with Fox had failed to be renewed. Now she’s spreading her feminist venom to the very Miss America organization which launched her so-so media presence in the first place! Rather ironic…as if parading around in a tasteful swimsuit is a big deal for an attractive woman, especially when you sadly see far more revealing stuff on the street each and every day!!! There is no such thing as personal modesty anymore…Additionally, nobody forced any of these femmes to take part in this pageant, hence if modeling certain fashions came as part of the bargain, so be it! Worked for decades on end and a lot of woman laughed all the way to the bank and on to successful careers because of such “exposure!”
Why is failed FAUX Noize host Gretchen Carlson trying to ruin the Miss America pageant? Is she still on the Cheeto payroll? (he still has a financial interest in the competing Miss Universe franchise as far as I know)
Beyond the Gates
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.
The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.
The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!
Photo: CBS
BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS
Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.
“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE
The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.
That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”
So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
Two soap opera alums very familiar to fans of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless are paired together in a new short-form digital series from none other than Issa Rae’s production entity HOORAE Digital.
Look for Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, GH)) and Loren Lott (ex-Ana Hamilton, Y&R) as part of the cast of The Compatibility Experiment, premiering on October 14, 2026, exclusively on TikTok and its companion microdrama platform, PineDrama.
In the video teaser, it appears that Bellow and Lott play a couple, Kelvin and Camila, set in a Love Island reality show-esque environment trying to win the one million dollar cash prize, only what could go wrong?
Photo: HOORAE
The Compatibility Experiment loglines share that it brings a fast-paced, relationship-focused reality check—much like Love Island with a twist. The show takes a participant’s current relationship, introduces them to a potentially more compatible partner, and forces them to navigate the differences with life-changing money on the line.
The new series is part of a groundbreaking content deal between HOORAE Digital and TikTok to develop premium short-form storytelling. The ensemble cast also features; Ayona, Reggie Luck, JaNa Craig, Tosin Morohunfola, Jessica Jacoby, Georgia Warner, and Nick Cassidy.
General Hospital fans know Tajh Bellow for his performances as TJ Ashford, and who earned two Daytime Emmy nominations along the way during his run. Bellow took over the role in 2018 and last appeared on the ABC daytime drama series in December of 2024.
Loren Lott first appeared as Devon’s (Bryton James) sister Ana Hamilton on The Young and the Restless from 2018 to 2019; making a brief return in 2024. She has continued to perform on the stage and screen with recent credits including: Bel-Air, Cherish the Day, and All American: Homecoming.
Check out the trailer for The Compatibility Experiment below and let us know what you think of its concept and if you are glad to see Tajh and Loren again? Hoping they might return to daytime in their GH and Y&R roles at some point in the future? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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