Miss America makeover

Guests: Heather French Henry, Jessica Bennett, Amy Kuperinsky, Crystal Lee

Fifty-one young women are in Atlantic City competing to be Miss America 2018. But the competition will look a little different this year– most notably, no bikinis. Gretchen Carlson, the new board chair of the Miss America organization ended the swimsuit competition, which angered a number of state organizations, and even led to a number of board resignations. Controversy and infighting still swirls around this year’s competition, particularly with Carlson connecting the swimsuit decision to the #metoo movement and women’s empowerment. This hour we take a look at all the turmoil and if Miss America can stay culturally relevant in these times. Our guests are HEATHER FRENCH HENRY, a Miss America board member and Miss America 2000, JESSICA BENNETT, gender editor of The New York Times, AMY KUPERINSKY, features writer for the New Jersey Star Ledger, and CRYSTAL LEE, Miss California and 1^st Runner Up to Miss American 2014.