Kaylah Walton
The pageants Miss America and Miss USA are both well-known beauty competitions that share a common history, yet they have several key differences.
Initially, Miss America aimed to empower women regarding their careers and lives, with limited eligibility criteria that included only white, unmarried women who had not undergone an abortion. Over time, these guidelines have evolved, yet the organization still upholds certain standards. A major change in 2018 was the removal of the swimsuit competition, marking a shift toward valuing contestants beyond just their physical appearance.
Comparing Miss America and Miss USA
Miss USA was created by Catalina Swimsuits, a former sponsor of Miss America, in 1952, and it also runs the Miss Universe pageant.
While contestants can enter both competitions, the two remain distinct organizations. Miss USA includes a swimsuit segment, and its champion competes in Miss Universe.
The format of Miss Universe varies from that of Miss America, as it does not feature a talent segment and instead includes interviews, evening gown, swimwear or athletic wear presentations, and a final round where participants discuss social, cultural, and political issues.
Both competitions have intertwined histories, once under the shared ownership of Donald Trump and NBC Universal. In 2015, Trump divested the Miss Universe organization to WME/IMG following NBC Universal’s decision to end their partnership.
While Miss America focuses on fostering personal development and educational opportunities, Miss USA and Miss Universe remain popular, showcasing a variety of contests aimed at honoring queens who exemplify beauty, intelligence, and grace globally.
