Pageant
girls everywhere tuned in on Mother’s Day, May 14, to watch which girl
would take home the coveted Miss USA crown. But, how much longer will
that crown remain at the top? New Changes With New Ownership
In
2015, IMG|WME bought the Miss Universe Organization from President
Donald Trump shortly after he announced his candidacy for President of
United States. After some controversial statements during his campaign,
longtime sponsors of the Miss Universe Organization started pulling
their sponsorships and NBC/Univision declined to broadcast the finale.
In
an interview with Refinery29’s Lexy Lebsack, Paula Shugart, President
of the Miss Universe Organization, spoke highly of the new ownership.
“We’re
so much better than we were before,” she said. “He was a
larger-than-life personality, but now our personality is coming to the
foreground.” (Read: Miss USA 2017 Evening Gown: HIT or MISS?) Photo Credit: Miss Universe OrganizationThe
new owners and Shugart sought to rebrand the Miss Universe Organization
after parting ways with the president. Looking at the most recent Miss
USA pageant, many could argue that the new ownership has created
positive change and produced the most diverse Top 5 the stage has ever
seen. (Read: Top 5 Onstage Questions and Answers from Miss USA 2017)
Despite
the positive changes and increased diversity in the Miss USA system
over the past two years, the ratings do not show the public is
responding well to the new branding. Ratings Plummet With Miss USA 2017
This
year’s pageant was broadcast on May 14, 2017, from 8 to 10 p.m. on FOX
network. According to Variety reports, the ratings from the Miss USA
2017 are down 27% from last year’s pageant. Last year’s pageant drew in 4
million viewers whereas this year’s pageant only brought in 2.9 million
viewers. Photo Source: Miss Universe OrganizationAfter
the controversial answers on healthcare and feminism from Miss USA
2017, Kára McCullough, many are questioning the role that Miss USA has
in this dynamic society in the United States. (Read: Miss USA 2017 Sparks Controversy With Onstage Question)
What do you think? Is the Miss USA pageant losing status and interest from the general public? Let us know below!
6 thoughts on “Is the Miss USA Pageant System Failing?”
Ellen
I
think you need to consider how many people do not have cable tv. Are
these numbers representative of the population that tuned in during the
show? I watched via hulu the following day. Are these numbers taken into
consideration?
We
simply didn’t enjoy the vibe of the Miss USA pageant this year. There
were quite a few things we didn’t like: It seemed very rushed. The
side-piece about how the contestants were more competitors than
sister-queens (not my take on pageantry at all). How every question was
political (and then when a contestant voiced a non-standard, non-PC–and
might I say refreshingly honest and intelligently stated answer–the
immediate media backlash that followed). And lastly the musical
acts…when will pageant directors understand that no one cares about the
celebrities, we just want to watch the pageant!
I
completely agree! I do appreciate the judges being more open minded
towards diversity. Love the fact that Miss DC won based on her merit,
intelligence and beauty. If women of color win, we want it to be based
on those criteria and not feel like a hand out.
I
think having it on Mother’s Day also could of affected ratings. People
were out celebrating Mother’s Day. Many recorded and watched later. And
as far as her controversial answer, I think she was right on and have a
great answer. I think it is great that she is for being equal not for
being better then men. And I do work hard for my health care. Until
recently it was a privilege not a right. You got a good job so you could
get good insurance. Now my out of pocket expenses, copay, and monthly
fees have tripled and I’m getting less services while those who are
paying nothing are getting more and better care then I qualify for. The
winner is a scientist and a minority. She will make a great roll model
for young ladies. I’m excited to see what she does with her reign.
The pageant system has been in a contstant downward spiral since President Trump had to sell. Sometimes reinventing
a the wheel isn’t a great idea. Maybe those wishing for something
other than a wheel should go fly instead. This has been a total
disappointment. Question: IMG signs some of the most beautiful girls in
the world, so why so few beautiful girls in the top 10? This smells
like a political toilet. Such a shame. Miss D.C. was good, but by pageant standards was she the best? I think we were all too devestated by the finaliest to be objective.
I
definitely the the pageant had gone downhill. To begin with, why so
late announcing when and where the pageant was being held. There were.
Unreliable rumors before they finally announced it. Then the tickets
didn’t go on sale. I had my room and flight booked, and I wasn’t eve
sure I was going to get a ticket. The arena was not even full!! Finally,
I think it is suspicious that every top 10 contestant had a home visit
and video. Sounds predetermined. They wanted girls who had a story,
well why punish the all America girls who has a great family and no real
tragedy or hardship in their past. Don’t get me wrong, I love our new
Miss USA. She is beautiful, smart and will represent us well at Miss
Universe! It all just seemed a little political to me.
a the wheel isn’t a great idea. Maybe those wishing for something other than a wheel should go fly instead. This has been a total disappointment. Question: IMG signs some of the most beautiful girls in the world, so why so few beautiful girls in the top 10? This smells like a political toilet. Such a shame. Miss D.C. was good,
but by pageant standards was she the best? I think we were all too devestated by the finaliest to be objective.