Miss America and Miss USA: What’s the Diff?
Donald Trump sold off the Miss Universe Organization and its pageants in Sept. 2015. But his 19-year-ownership seems to have made an unshakable mark — and forever confused the general public. Some think that Trump is still in the mix, whether with Miss USA or Miss America — and many think the two pageants are one and the same.
With the approaching Miss America competition this Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J. — which Yahoo Beauty will be reporting from live — we thought it was high time for a side-by-side explainer of the two biggest, oldest beauty pageants in the land.
Miss America
Operated by: The Miss America Organization, a nonprofit that calls itself the “nation’s leading advocate for women’s education and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States, awarding millions of dollars annually in cash awards and in-kind tuition waivers.”
Roots: In 1921, a group of Atlantic City businessmen created an event that could both celebrate the “independent woman” and extend the summer resort season by another week. The celebration included the Atlantic City Bathing Beauty Contest. It was a big hit and eventually evolved into a scholarship competition.
“Miss” Rules: Contestants cannot be married, divorced, or pregnant.
Scoring: The final night’s televised competition between 20 finalists is judged with the following breakdown: 25 percent for “composite” (which appears to be a general 1-to-10 rating from each judge); 10 percent for swimsuit; 15 percent for eveningwear; 30 percent for talent; and 20 percent for the final questions.
Prize: A $50,000 college scholarship.
Sample Causes: Anti-bullying, allergy awareness, childhood cancer research, disability rights, suicide prevention.
Barrier Breakers: Bess Meyerson, who in 1945 became the first (and still only) Jewish Miss America; Vanessa Williams, who in 1984 became the first African-American Miss America; Kate Shindle, who brought social relevancy to the pageant with her 1998 platform of AIDS activism; Erin O’Flaherty, the first openly lesbian Miss America contestant, competing this year and representing Missouri.
Biggest Scandals: Williams was stripped of her crown near the end of her reign when Penthouse published unauthorized nude photos. Also, until 1970, the pageant stated that all contestants must be “of good health and of the white race.”
Miss USA
Operated by: The Miss Universe Organization, a for-profit company, formerly owned by Donald Trump and currently owned by WME/IMG (also owner of fashion weeks around the world and festivals, including Lollapalooza). The organization also operates the Miss Teen USA pageant and the worldwide Miss Universe pageant, at which Miss USA winners go on to the next level. Its stated mission is: “To provide the tools which help women to be their personal best. Self-confidence is the key. Every woman should have the confidence to stand up in any situation and declare, ‘I am secure and that’s what makes me beautiful!‘”
Roots: In 1952, Catalina Swimsuits founded the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants as a product-promotion tool after Miss America dropped Catalina as its swimsuit sponsor — a response to that year’s winner, Yolande Betzbeze, refusing to appear in a swimsuit at promotional events.
“Miss” Rules: Contestants cannot be married, divorced, or pregnant.
Scoring: A spokesperson for Miss USA did not respond to a request from Yahoo Beauty to explain the scoring system. But according to its website, contestants are judge based on swimsuit, eveningwear and interview competitions. There is no talent portion.
Prize: According to a story in Pageant News, prizes include: luxury accommodations in New York City, access to an “appearance wardrobe,” a one-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy, professional skin and hair-care services throughout her reign, and a modeling portfolio.
Sample Causes: While competitors don’t have platforms, the pageant itself has “charitable alliances” with organizations, including Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Smile Train, Gilda’s Club, and Best Buddies.
Barrier Breakers: Carole Gist of Michigan was the first African-American Miss USA, in 1990; Kylan Wenzel was the first transgender woman to compete in Miss USA, in 2013, after the competition changed its rule in 2012 to allow transgender contestants.
Biggest Scandals: Katie Blair, Miss Teen USA 2006, came under fire after she allegedly danced on tables and made out with Miss USA Tara Connor during a night of drunken debauchery; Mary Leona Gage was stripped of her crown a day after winning Miss USA in 1957, when it was revealed that she was married with two children and that her real age was 18, not 21. Also, Carrie Prejean gave an answer about same-sex marriage during the 2009 competition, when she stated that marriage “should be between a man and a woman,” prompting public outcry.
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