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Associated Press
Posted at 12:36 PM ET September 6, 2018
According to the Miss America organization, candidates will no longer be judged on the outward appearance.
USA TODAY & # 39; HUI
Laura Lynn Haller, Miss Montana, arrives at the start of the first night of the preliminary competition at the Miss America Contest on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (AP Photo / Wayne Parry) ORG XMIT: RPWP103(Photo: AP)
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – The second night of the preliminary competition at the Miss America Without Swimsuit competition will take place on Thursday night in Atlantic City.
Competitors from Florida and Wisconsin won Wednesday the first night of the preliminary competition.
Miss Florida Taylor Tyson won the talent competition for a piano performance of Lizst's "Waltz of Mephisto".
Miss Wisconsin Tianna Vanderhei won the live interview competition for her comments on how higher education should be more affordable and more accessible.
Both said they were delighted to be the first winners of the new edition of the Miss America Contest, which sparked controversy over its decision to eliminate swimsuits – a staple since its launch 98 years ago to Atlantic City.
More: Miss America focuses swimsuit competition; Gretchen Carlson says "We are no longer a show"
"The swimsuit is behind us," Vanderhei said after the end of Wednesday night's competition. "It's sad that it's gone, but I understand why it's gone."
"People will see what Miss America is doing with these changes," Tyson added.
The preliminaries began in a context of revolt by the staff competition officials, dissatisfied with the decision to abandon swimsuits and demanding that the leaders, including President Gretchen Carlson, resign.
The current Miss America, Cara Mund, has accused Carlson and his CEO Regina Hopper of intimidating and silencing her – allegations both deny.
Mund did not refer to the controversy in his opening remarks, which followed a prolonged standing ovation. But she paid tribute to the local authorities and the state without mentioning the national authorities.
"It only exists thanks to our volunteers," she said. "We would have no organization if it was not for them."
A spokesman for opponents of the current leadership said that 46 state organizations had signed letters calling for Carlson and Hopper to resign; only Arkansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada and Vermont have not signed.
The first of the three nights of the preliminary competition began with a big change: in recent years, a talent and a swimsuit winner have been named in each of the three preliminary nights.
This year, instead of a swimsuit winner, the winner of an interview on stage will be named.
Scholarships totaling nearly $ 506,000 will be awarded, including $ 50,000 for the new Miss America; $ 25,000 for the first finalist; $ 20,000 for second place; $ 15,000 for third place and $ 10,000 for fourth place.
The third and final evening of the preliminaries will take place on Friday.
The next Miss America will be crowned Sunday night in Atlantic City.
More: Miss America 2019: the drama behind the scenes continues as competitors arrive; What is it?
More: Miss America Cara Mund: It's Possible That Gretchen Carlson Returns Me
More: The Miss America organization in turmoil following the new direction of the swimsuit
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