WME/IMG’s first real chance at putting its fingerprints all over the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants is rubbing some people the wrong way. Some local officials in the Miss Teen USA competition are upset that the talent agency is putting less emphasis on sex appeal and a greater focus in fitness. Among its first moves as the new owner, WME/IMG eliminated the swimsuit portion of the Miss Teen USA contest — which features competitors ages 14 to 19 — in August, replacing it with an activewear segment to highlight the teens’ fitness over sex appeal. The beauty pageant business is about much more than “women walking on the stage in swimsuits and gowns and not messing up a question,” said Antinoro, who oversees the Miss Universe Organization, which includes Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Broadcast-rights owner Univision dumped the shows, and NBCUniversal — which owned 51 percent of Miss Universe — looked to sell.

Source: Fox News January 17, 2017 13:18 UTC