A beauty contest or beauty pageant is a competition between people that is based largely, though not always entirely, on the beauty of their physical appearance. Almost invariably, competitions for men and women are separate events, and those for men are not referred to as beauty contests except derogatorily. Those for women are more common, and winners are called beauty queens. Beauty contests for men, like Mr. Universe, are traditionally body building contests. In the 1990s, male beauty contests focusing more on the physical beauty and attractiveness of the contestants have emerged; these include Mr. World and Manhunt International. There are also beauty contests for children; they are controversial, in particular if the term sexy is used and/or the children (mostly females) are dressed in no more than a swimsuit.
History of beauty contests
Choosing symbolic kings and queens for May Day and other festivities is an ancient custom in
Europe, where beautiful young women also symbolized the nation, virtue, or other abstract ideals. The first modern pageant was staged by
P. T. Barnum in 1854, but his beauty contest was closed down by public protest (he had previously held dog, baby, and bird beauty contests). He substituted
daguerreotypes for judging, a practice quickly adopted by newspapers, which held photo beauty contests for many decades. The first “bathing beauty pageant" took place as part of a summer festival to promote business in
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in 1880. Contests became a regular part of summer beach life, with the most elaborate at
Atlantic City, New Jersey, where the “Fall Frolic” attracted contestants from many cities and towns in competition for the title of Miss America. They eventually added preliminary eliminations, an evening gown competition, musical variety shows, and judging by panel. Still, the contest was shunned by middle-class society. Pageants did not become respectable until World War II, when beauty queens were recruited to sell bonds and entertain troops; scholarships and talent competitions accompanied closer scrutiny of contestants’ morals and backgrounds. During the 1950s, pageants thrived to promote
county fairs and local products . For example, some of
Raquel Welch's titles included "Miss Photogenic" and "Miss Contour".
The modern beauty pageant can trace its origin to the
Miss America pageant, first held in Atlantic City in
1921, under the title "Inter-City Beauty" contest. The following year, the title was renamed as Miss America. Other contests include the yearly
Miss World competition (founded by
Eric Morley in
1951),
Miss Universe (founded in
1952),
Miss International and
Miss Earth (founded in
2001 with environmental awareness as its concern), which are the
four largest and most famous international beauty contests. Minor contests, such as the
Miss Bondi contest in Australia, are common throughout the world in the
Summer months. Across the world, Women from around the world participate each year in local competitions for the chance to represent their country at the international titles. The organizers of the major beauty contests represent their contests as being events of world importance. A more common view is that beauty contests are titillating entertainment events of no great importance.
Beauty contests and politics
More on
[ Beauty contest ]
Beauty Pageants - Google NewsHark, the church Christmas pageant adapts - OregonLive.comOregonLive.comHark, the church Christmas pageant adaptsOregonLive.comSmith, 46, pulls the white gown over her head and drapes the tinsel across one shoulder, as if she were a contestant in a beauty pageant. ...and more »
At Taiwan beauty contest, it's all about the men - Moneycontrol.comAt Taiwan beauty contest, it's all about the menMoneycontrol.comSwimwear, evening wear and polished lines will decide the winner of an international beauty pageant in Taiwan this weekend, but dresses, eyeshadow and long ...and more »
The first Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino to win the Miss World title - Thaindian.comNew York Daily NewsThe first Miss Gibraltar Kaiane Aldorino to win the Miss World titleThaindian.comHer mother is the reason that she started taking part in beauty pageants. Perla Beltrán won the Miss World Top Model fast track event and award. ...Eyeing the Miss World crownThe HinduKaiane Aldorino Wins Title Of 'Miss World'Hot Momma Celebrity Gossip (blog)Gibraltar Grabs First Major Pageant Title After Winning Miss World 2009Daily Contributorall 570 news articles »
Best stepping stone to showbiz - Philippine StarBest stepping stone to showbizPhilippine StarOver dinner, they finally met Dr. Johnnie Sugiarto, the president of El John, which runs the Indonesian beauty pageant. During the actual contest, ...
Time to scrap beauty pageants - Times LIVETimes LIVETime to scrap beauty pageantsTimes LIVEMagosi Magakwe, Germiston: It is time pageants such as the Miss SA, Miss World and Miss Universe were canned. I can't remember who "won" last year or the ...
DSW Shoe Warehouse crowned official provider of shoes for Miss America, under ... - Gaea TimesDSW Shoe Warehouse crowned official provider of shoes for Miss America, under ...Gaea TimesomgitsSARAH Can someone tell me the point of beauty pageants? I mean, other than to make you feel ugly when you dont place of course. I mean, seriously? ...and more »
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Global Beauties - Coverage of Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss International.
Jimmy's Pageant Page - Archives and award lists for beauty pageants worldwide, including Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss Canada.
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Pageant Almanac - Coverage of Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Includes contestants, historical information, statistics, contests, links and more.
Pageant Center - Beauty pageant information, announcements, and links.
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Pageantry Magazine Online - Pageant magazine covering pageants, fashion, talent and modeling competitions.
Rahul's World of Pageants - A beauty pageant site which covers Femina Miss India, Miss World and Miss Universe with historical analysis
Trident Beauties - Coverage of Miss Universe and Miss World as well as all other major Caribbean pageants
Meta Description: [ Trident Beauties: Showcasing Caribbean Beauty in international pageants such as Miss Universe Miss World ]
Turn for the Judges - Coverage of national, international, and local pageants.
Meta Description: [ Turn For The Judges is the leading news source for the world of Pageantry. TFTJ covers pageants, fashion, pageant, and talent competitions for Teen, Miss, Mrs, Ms, Classic, Plus and Ethnic divisions. Featuring pageant dresses, evening gowns, interview sutis, and swimsuits. Covering Miss America, ... ]