Gretchen Carlson Takes the Reins of Miss America
After a storm of scandal that rattled the 70‑year‑old pageant, former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson has stepped in as the new chair. She’s the first ex‑winner to lead the organization out of the mess.
The Fallout
- Former CEO Sam Haskell resigned over a cache of offensive emails that called past contestants “fat” and “slut” and even labeled one as “a piece of trash.”
- Those revelations came from leaked Huffington Post stories that exposed a truly unforgivable level of misogyny.
- In a swift cascade, the board, president Josh Randle, and chair Lynn Weidner all walked away.
- The scandal severed ties with producers Dick Clark Productions, putting the whole show in jeopardy.
Why Gretchen Carlson?
Not only did she win Miss America back in 1989, but she’s also been a fearless commentator in the media trenches. In 2016, her lawsuit against ex‑Fox boss Roger Ailes helped force his exit, earning a $20 million settlement. She uses that fierce spirit to steer the pageant back to its roots.
Her Message
“It’s a huge honor to keep this iconic program alive and working with an army of brilliant volunteers,” she tweeted, rolling out the best part of a new chapter for the pageant.
Key Moves
- Leadership change effective immediately.
- Three other ex‑winners are joining the board.
- The board is stepping in to stabilize the organization as they rebuild.
Largest takeaway? The pageant vows to return to a celebration of talent and heart, with no room for hate‑filled politics. With Carlson at the helm, curiosity, clarity, and a pinch of humor will steadier the Miss America ship than ever.
