Miss America winner Nia Imani Franklin is glad she didnt have to wear a swimsuit for the competition.
Im happy that I didnt have to do so to win this title tonight because Im more than just that, Franklin told the Associated Press after her victory on Sunday. And all these women onstage are more than just that.
Franklin competed as Miss New York and was crowned Miss America 2019 at the organizations annual pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Winning a $50,000 scholarship, Franklin takes over the crown from Miss America 2018 Cara Mund.
These changes, I think, will be great for our organization, Franklin continued. Ive already seen so many young women reaching out to me personally as Miss New York asking how they can get involved because I think they feel more empowered that they dont have to do things such as walk in a swimsuit for a scholarship.
Support Free Journalism
Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPost Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
Miss America chair Gretchen Carlson announced in June that the swimsuit competition would no longer be included in the pageant as it evolves with the times, especially in light of the recent Me Too movement.
The organization has endured a tumultuous few weeks, after Mund accused Carlson in August of silencing and bullying her during her one-year tenure as Miss America. More than 20 former Miss America winners have since called for the organizations entire board, including Carlson, to resign. Carlson denied all of Munds accusations.
In a recent interview with HuffPost , Mund said she hopes the next Miss America will have a very different experience than she did.
Support Free Journalism
Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPost Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
The whole reason for this past year and everything thats happened to me is so that I can make it better for the next girl. I have about two and a half weeks left, but shes going to have a whole year, Mund said. I just dont want the next girl to have the same kind of experience that Ive had, and if for some reason her experience happens to be similar, at least now she knows that shes supported and that her voice does matter.
Support Free Journalism
Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPost Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.