Ah, but all the women contestants are allowed to "cheat" equally. They can all tape their breasts together for more cleveage if they want, add tape to their buttocks so their clothes are more form fitting...etc, etc...
(ps, don't try this at home. On the runway of a national Television special, yes, but at home, no!)

So perhaps the pageant contestants are actually being judged on who is the best at arts and crafts. [img]confused.gif[/img]

OK, they do get a lot of money and potential success from being in the pageant, even if they lose. This particular controversy was over who would represent the state of North Carolina in the Miss America contest.

I don't know if she won her protest to regain her state title or not.
But even if you believe the contest is demeaning, isn't it even more demeaning to have someone else derail you in this manner?