the Miss America pageant
/ðə ˌmɪs əˈmerɪkə pædʒənt/
/ðə ˌmɪs əˈmerɪkə pædʒənt/
- a US contest that was set up to choose the most beautiful American woman who can also sing, dance, act, etc. It was first held in 1921 and has been a popular television event since 1954. The event has sometimes been criticized as an insult to women because of its emphasis on physical appearance. Since 2018, Miss America candidates are chosen based on their achievements, aims, and ambitions in life, rather than being judged on their appearance.
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the Miss America pageant