Karlie Hay was crowned winner of the 2016 Miss Teen USA competition. Hay represented Texas in the competition. The year of 2016 has been an eventful one for the competition. The latest in events that had occurred was the lack of diversity present. All five of the pageants finalists possessed blond hair and blue eyes.
The model Chrissy Tiegen commented on Twitter at the lack of diversity shown in the contestants. Many commented that the previous competition of Miss USA held onto more diversity. The winner of the Miss USA 2016 competition was Deshauna Barber who is African American. One will have to wait and see what happens for the next pageant coming up in 2017.
Pageants are an evolving competition. Though many stick to general traditions some competitions are moving past the set standards. One example of this is the switch from swimwear to athletic wear. The Miss USA competition also was full of a beautifully diverse group of talented women. There are problems which competitions can work on and address. One can hope that the beauty competitions will strive for a truer representation of the country and its people.
Karlie Hay and all the contestants of the 2016 pageant also competed in a new category. Instead of having the average swimwear competition it has now been replaced with athletic wear. Many feel that the shift in focus from tiny waists to wellness is a much healthier avenue. This encourages fans and contestants alike to embrace their body no matter the size. People all around the world can now feel better about supporting the Miss USA competition.
The shift into wellness and health is seen as simply better. Many argue that there might not be anything wrong with the swimsuit competition. However, others agree that the swimsuit wear category encourages the wrong message. You can only truly be beautiful if you are exactly this thin. Yet the Teen USA competition is now moving towards a new direction. They are now embracing strength and health in women today.
Bikinis have tended to become sexualized in our modern society. Therefore it is not the best message to have judges evaluate young girls’ bodies for show. Today the competition wants to move past this set notion. Body positivity is becoming more and more popular. People are growing to accept that everyone is made in an assortment of shapes and sizes. Yet keeping a swimsuit competition hangs onto the idea that skinny is best. This is what switching over to athletic wear is supposed to represent. It is shifting focus from weight and unrealistic standards to the achievable reality.
Karlie Hay also competed in the new category competition. Karl Hay wowed judges with her witty responses during the question and answer part of the competition. She is an 18-year-old high school graduate from the state of Texas. According to online.com Hay also is planning on enrolling at the Texas A&M University. Though the teen is unsure on a concrete path she is interested in business.
Karlie Hay is from Tomball, Texas. She also loves fitness and does early morning workouts. The teen was on her high school’s varsity cheerleading team. Hay won Miss Texas Teen USA earlier this year. The teen also is very passionate about helping her community. Hay participates in multiple extracurricular activities aside from varsity cheerleading. She has also been affected by those suffering from drug and alcohol use. She witnessed a close family member struggle with drugs and alcoholism. Due to this experience, the teen hopes she can help those dealing with the same lifestyle as she did.
