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Piers Morgan Calls Out Gretchen Carlson Over ‘Absolutely Ridiculous’ Miss America Changes

British media personality says that revamped Miss America contest will be an ”inevitable ratings disaster“

| June 5, 2018 @ 11:40 AM
Gretchen Carlson

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Piers Morgan won’t be winning any points for congeniality with his latest column.

British media personality Morgan savaged the Miss America competition’s decision to rule out physical appearance as a criterion for judging a winner on Tuesday, calling out former Miss America winner and current board chair Gretchen Carlson in particular.

“We are now open, inclusive and transparent,” Carlson is quoted as saying in Morgan’s new column, “and I want to inspire thousands of young people across this country to come and be part of our program. We are not going to judge you on your appearance because we are interested in what makes you you.”

Also Read: Miss America Drops Swimsuit Competition

Morgan also quoted Carlson as saying, “It what comes out of their mouths that we care about.”

“I’ve got some news for you, Gretchen: nobody on the entire planet cares what comes out of the mouths of Miss America contestants unless they say something so dumb it makes us laugh out loud,” Morgan wrote. “They’re not competing to see who is smartest, funniest, or most environmentally concerned.”

He added, “They’re there because they’re smoking hot.”

Also Read: Gretchen Carlson Promises 'Tsunami' of Change for Miss America Pageant (Video)

Carlson, who was declared Miss America in 1989 before launching a career in broadcasting, discussed the change on Tuesday’s “Good Morning America,” saying, “We are no longer a pageant … We are a competition.”

In addition to killing off the swimsuit competition, Miss America is also eliminating the evening gown portion of the competition. Instead, contestants representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia will wear attire that makes them feel confident, expresses their personal style and shows how they hope to advance the role of Miss America.

Also Read: Miss America CEO Resigns Over Leaked Emails That Disparaged Contestants (Update)

The swimsuit parade will be replaced with a live interactive session with the judges, the organization announced.

In Tuesday’s column for the Daily Mail, Morgan called the decision “absolutely ridiculous, and will be an inevitable ratings disaster.”

“I’m afraid the harsh reality is that nobody’s going to watch a beauty pageant to see an assortment of ugly, 250 lb. contestants giving their views on world peace. Period,” Morgan wrote.

Miss America From 1921 to Present: Meet All the Winners (Photos)

1 of 92

A look back at the beauty queens who have taken home the crown

1921 
Margaret Gorman 
District of Columbia

Also Read: Miss America Pageant Apologizes to Vanessa Williams 32 Years After Yanking Her Crown

 

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