Has The Miss USA Pageant Gone Too Sexy?
By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on May 11, 2010 8:40PM
The Miss USA pageant is this Sunday and it's already making headlines for being a bit provocative. This year, contestants have been photographed in lingerie, something that's not sitting well with some. Tim Winter at the Parents Television Council said, "There has been a growing debate over the line between a beauty pageant and soft-core pornography, and I think this year's pageant not only erases that line, it obliterates it." Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006, begs to differ: "It's really not pushing the envelope. Basically, a swimsuit is lingerie, just different material. So, I really don't know why everyone has their panties in a wad, because it's the same concept. You're seeing the same amount of skin, but all of the goods are covered, so there's really no issue." The photos were taken in Las Vegas by fashion photographer Fadil Berisha who explains in this short video that it was pretty tough work: "I'm inside their soul when I'm pulling things out of them, and I get emotionally exhausted." We bet.
As for Illinois rep Ashley Bradarich of Homer Glen (pictured right), "members" on the Miss USA site only rate her 2.1 stars out of five. Which is way too low. Come on, Illinois, represent! And what does she think of the controversy over the photos?
I understand compleeeetely why the media is talking, but I also stand by the fact that the Miss Universe Organization is trying to change the pageant scene to be more "21st century." Perhaps many feel that being provocative isn't the best way to display that modernity, but as a woman in a beauty pageant trying to display confidence, sensuality, and embrace my own femininity to make myself a stronger woman, I am happy to display these photos. I feel they are well done, and although they're a little edgy, they're classy, high fashion, and beautiful black and white images. They capture our bodies in an artistic light, as if our bodies are works of art. Isn't that sort of what the basis of beauty pageants is about anyhow? ...Women have been putting their bodies "on display" as works of art for decades in the Miss USA Pageant. Now, these women are given the opportunity to take it to the next level -- they are able to embrace the world as it stands in 2010 and show off the hours and hours of work and dedication they have put into sculpting them.
Well, as long as they show it in 3D, we're in.