Another Miss USA Controversy

The 2010 Miss USA pageant, which took place this past Sunday in Las Vegas, was put under scrutiny last week when the pageant released photos of the 51 contestants running for the title. Unlike the usual headshots of the past, these racy photos, titles “Waking Up in Vegas,” depicted the contestants in very little clothing and looking at the camera seductively. Although I wasn’t really offended by the photos personally, they do continue to reflect voyeurism within the media, and the idea that most all media outlets, not just television, are depicted with the male eye in mind. In defense of the photos Donald Trump, the owner of the pageant, said that “they’ve maybe gone a little over the top this year,” calling the photos “pretty wild.” But he immediately contradicted himself by stating “whether we like it or not, beautiful women will always attract ratings.” The pageant president Paula Shugart had an even more surprising response to the pictures. She said that they were good practice for the contestants who all aspire to be something along the lines of a Victoria’s Secret model. I don’t claim to be an expert on pageants but I was under the impression that the women were supposed to be competing for a platform to make a difference in the world and showcase their beauty as well as their intelligence. Shugart ends by saying that the photos are breaking the stereotype of was a ‘pageant girl’ looks like. I guess being accomplished, articulate, and smart went out the window to make way for sexy lingerie and flirtatious looks.