Miss USA is actually an offshoot of the Miss America Pageant. The Catalina Swimsuit Company, a sponsor of the Miss America Pageant in the 1950’s, walked off in a huff when Yolanda Betbeze, Miss America 1951, a serious opera singer, refused to model the sponsor’s swimsuits during her reign. She told them to start their own pageant – and they did. |
Yes, I’ll watch Miss Universe on NBC this weekend, and I’ll cheer on the winner. These young women still show admirable qualities of persistence and discipline. But frankly, they’re no Miss America. |
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