Culture

The Real Housewives of Miss America

Crowning Glory?

The Miss America Pageant says it’s about empowering women through education. So why does it treat its contestants like idiots?

articles/2014/09/21/the-trashing-of-miss-america/140919-shindle-miss-america-tease_zbgrej
Alamy

If the goal was to get 'em talking, last Sunday night's Miss America competition was a roaring success. Factoids! Plastic cups! Ventriloquism! Holiday Barbie! Cheetah attacks! Suffice it to say, the Internet exploded.

As someone who has been on the other side of those Atlantic City footlights, way back in September...

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