Beauty and the beast
Since their conception, beauty pageants have always been somewhat controversial. The first modern American pageant took place in 1854, but was forced to close down half way through due to intense public protest. The pro-pageant Americans persevered, and the first bathing suit contest was held in Atlanta, Georgia in 1921 to great success. Within five years, duplicate pageants had sprung up throughout the country.
However, despite their initial success, the middle classes remained unconvinced until the Second World War, when beauty queens were recruited to encourage dashing young men to buy war bonds.
Today, beauty pageants are no longer just about appearances. The Miss England pageant entrance rules suggest that the ideal contestant “shall be of good character and possessed of charm, poise and personality” while having “beauty of face and figure”. It seems being a beauty queen is no longer about having a pretty face but about being a delightfully well-rounded young lady in every aspect – except one’s figure.
Unsurprisingly, pageants are regularly criticised for the perceptions of women which they create. Contestants are regularly ridiculed as vain, and lacking in intelligence.
But are these stereotypes fair? Magazines, television programmes and adverts are also often accused of reinforcing these negative perceptions. However, surely the fact that these women choose to enter pageants in increasing numbers would suggest that this conception is unfairly judgmental?
Some contestants put various substances in the make-up of others, in the hope of causing allergic reactions
In comparison to our American cousins, pageants in the UK have yet to become a national institution. But in recent years, the industry has grown, with local competitions sprouting up around the country. Adult pageants are becoming ever more popular, particularly those which are organised in conjunction with Miss England. In the last year, more than 20,000 girls have entered Miss England and over 100 regional heats have been held.
The judgement of women on their physical appearance is understandably contentious. Openly objectifying women is supposed to be regarded as politically incorrect in modern society however, this is not always the case. For the majority of pageants, including Miss England, potential contestants are required to supply measurements including dress size and cup size. But should this be met with such criticism given the context of the culture in which we live?
The bikini round attracts particular criticism. For some women the thought of walking up and down a stage in nothing but a bikini would be a stomach churning, knee trembling experience, while for others it could be a hugely enjoyable. This round is perhaps a double-edged sword; on one hand it could provide a huge confidence boost but for others it could be damaging.
Laura Nero, a first year student at York, took part in a bikini round at Miss London in 2009. The combined scores from the bikini round and an ethical fashion round were used to select the top ten finalists. Laura explained: “the final was in a night club in London. We paraded up and down and we had to walk outside and stand near Topshop on Oxford Street in our bikinis,” she explains nonchalantly.
In 2010, to the relief of many ardent critics, Miss York replaced the swimwear round with sportswear round and a fitness boot camp. This change also took place at the national level of Miss England.
Organisers took the decision to ban the swimwear in the hope that newspapers would report on the other rounds – which include fundraising, a talent competition and the afore-mentioned ethical fashion round – rather than focusing on scantily clad contestants. The pageants are about so much more, you see.
Contestants in a Dutch beauty pageant compete in the swimwear round
“I was so scared about the bikini round … however, I preferred the bikini to the sportswear round,” said Laura when comparing her different experiences of Miss York 2010 and Miss London 2009. She felt uncomfortable in her sportswear and perhaps less glamorous.
Understandably, due to the nature of beauty pageants and how contestants are judged on their appearance, many entrants feel a pressure to conform to a particular body image.
Laura admits “I dieted before I did Miss London because I didn’t want to embarrass myself”, but insists that she did so healthily. However, rumours persist that some girls choose go on crash diets before they compete.
Pageants are regularly accused of not providing an adequate representation of modern women. Rather than celebrating all body sizes, pageants tend to attract slimmer women. This is despite the average UK dress size being about a size 14. Nero explains, “in Miss London, I was probably one of the biggest there and I’m a size 10.”
Rachel Wareing, also a University of York student, who competed in Miss York alongside Nero, said “girls in the final ranged from a size 8 to 12. I saw no-one bigger than a 12. At the auditions I’d say there were girls that were size 16 or 18, but they didn’t get through.” Rachel went on to say that she “would have preferred to see a wider range of sizes” at the final competition.
The pageant culture in the UK is still in its infancy when compared with the United States, where some girls make a career out of modelling and entering pageants. There are some girls who take pageants extremely seriously, spending substantial amounts of money on everything from hair extensions to designer dresses.
Both Rachel and Laura said that some girls at the pageant had had their hair and makeup professionally done. For something which is meant to be done in the spirit of fun, it is clear that some girls take it very seriously, doing everything they can to win that much coveted crown.
Over the years, the biggest pageant of them all, Miss World, has raised more money for charity than Band Aid
“I didn’t go to the hairdresser’s in the morning, I just did my hair myself. I also did my make-up myself. There were those who’d clearly spent hours in the hairdresser’s – but they didn’t do particularly great.” Rachel went on to place in the top five.
As any girl who went to a single sex school will understand immediately, beauty pageants are highly competitive. There is the perception that there is negativity or bitchiness surrounding them. Rumours of backstage sabotage are not uncommon. For example, it is said that some contestants ripped the dresses of their fellow competitors, and put various substances in the make- up of others, in the hope of causing allergic reactions.
These reports although concerning are unconfirmed. “I’ve never heard of any sabotage,” said Laura, and Rachel stated “there was nothing like that in York. There was a competitive atmosphere backstage, but I did go on to make some good friends.” Laura also said that “most people at Miss York were quite nice”. Throughout the competition at York, both girls said that there was a positive tone. Rachel said, “we were reminded [by the organisers] that we were here to have fun.”
But despite this, for some girls who take part in beauty pageants, not placing well can a massively frustrating experience. Laura said that she met a girl who hadn’t placed in the top ten and as a consequence would no longer be doing such competitions.
It is also important to realise that pageants are not just about sparkly tiaras and pretty dresses. There is often a public service element with contestants involved in raising money for charity. Rachel and Laura’s sponsorship money from Miss York went to the Variety Club of Great Britain which raises money for sick and disabled children. Over the years, the biggest pageant of them all, Miss World, has raised more money for charity than Band Aid.
Rachel said of her pageant experience: “I really enjoyed it – I can’t wait for next year.” Laura uttered the same sentiment, saying “I did really enjoy it, and I would probably do it again.”
Beauty pageants, like so many other things in life, have both positives and negatives. Doing well in a beauty pageant could provide a confidence boost that many women in the modern world need. At the same time, failing to place well could be very detrimental for girls with low self-esteem.
The frequent stereotyping of pageant contestants as idle, unintelligent and vacuous is rather unfair and even hypocritical. Being compared with the caricatures presented in Hollywood films is hugely misrepresentative.
The current Miss England, Katrina Hodge, is a serving Lance Corporal in the British Army earning her the nickname ‘Combat Barbie’. In 2005, Hodge won a commendation for bravery after she wrestled two rifles from an Iraqi following a road traffic accident saving the lives of her fellow soldiers.
Students also make up a significant number of the women who take part; the current Miss York is currently studying English Language and Linguistics at this university. Those who indulge in this kind of criticism are themselves adding to the negative stereotyping of women.
Beauty pageants are part and parcel of an image obsessed culture, and buying a magazine with pictures of women posing bikinis is arguably as bad, if not worse, than the bikini round in a beauty pageant.
But there remain questions to be asked about what drives girls to enter these competitions. While the traditional stereotypes may not be quite correct, there are wider issues which should be discussed and derided more than the competitions themselves.
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laydeeeeeeez
I would like to thank you for being one of the few people who have written a fair and non judgmental article about pageants. Most articles stereotype the girls who enter as vain, shallow and ignorant. I won a Miss England heat and was a semi final winner, I’m now in the Miss England 2010 finals and am so excited. I have made some amazing friends, travelled around the country, raised money for charity and have had some fantastic opportunities to open and appear at local charity events and model in local fashion shows and newspapers.
I don’t think I am the most beautiful girl, but thats NOT what beauty pageants are about, it’s about being motivated and a good role model. I’m studying Medicine at university, so am clearly not unintelligent, and all the other girls in the competition have good jobs and educations. Taking part in Miss England has been a massive confidence boost, and ironically it has taught me not to compare myself to other people.
So thank you for highlighting the fact that beauty pageants are really just a bit of fun, and a great experience for the girls that take part.