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PEOPLE & ARTS Thursday 25 July 2019

Miss America pageant leaving Atlantic City for Connecticut

By WAYNE PARRY historic Boardwalk Hall,
Associated Press and a parade in which
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — contestants wore shoes
There she is. Here she isn’t. with themes identified with
Miss America is leaving At- their individual states had
lantic City for the second become part of the pag-
time, trading one casino eant’s history.
town for another in a move For decades, the pag-
that caps a whirlwind of eant was a part of Ameri-
change at the nearly cen- cana, and longtime master
tury-old pageant. of ceremonies Bert Parks
This year’s pageant will crooning, “There she is ...
be held at the Mohegan Miss America,” became
Sun Connecticut in Uncas- synonymous with the pag-
ville, Connecticut, the Miss eant.
America Organization said An email scandal in De-
Tuesday. cember 2017 led to the
It will be broadcast on NBC ouster of the pageant’s
on Dec. 19, in a switch from mostly male leadership,
recent broadcaster ABC. some of whom were re-
“The Miss America Organi- vealed to have mocked
zation is proud to partner contestants’ appearances,
with Mohegan Sun as we intellect and even sex lives.
return to our longtime NBC They were replaced by
home,” said Regina Hop- female leadership includ-
per, president and CEO of ing former Fox News host
the Miss America Organiza- Gretchen Carlson, a former
tion. “We are looking for- Miss America.
ward to a fresh take on this But state pageant orga-
historic competition that In this Sept. 9, 2018 file photo, Miss New York Nia Franklin reacts after being named Miss America nizations chafed under
will showcase the incred- 2019 in Atlantic City, N.J. the new leadership and
ible women vying for the Associated Press launched vocal protests
job of Miss America 2020.” the overall public good,” 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern pageant officials were not against the new leader-
Ray Pineault, president and he said. time, a departure from its immediately returned. ship, which vowed to move
general manager of Mohe- “We’re thrilled to be host- longstanding fixture as a The pageant began in At- forward with changes de-
gan Sun, noted the college ing an impactful event like Sunday night event. lantic City in 1921 as a way signed to make Miss Amer-
scholarship money the Miss the Miss America Compe- Announcements by the to extend the summer tour- ica more relevant and em-
America Organization pro- tition in December, and Miss America Organization ism season beyond Labor powering to women.
vides to contestants. we look forward to work- and NBC mentioned only Day weekend. It became The biggest change includ-
“Miss America is a storied ing with both Miss America this year’s competition and synonymous with the New ed the elimination of the
organization that has a and NBC on what will be a did not address whether Jersey seaside resort but swimsuit competition in fa-
long history of empowering tremendous evening,” he the pageant was making moved to Las Vegas in vor of more in-depth con-
women, providing tremen- said. a multi-year commitment 2005, returning to Atlantic testant interviews.
dous educational resourc- The broadcast will be on to Connecticut. Messages City in 2013. Carlson has since stepped
es to women and serving a Thursday evening from seeking clarification from It had been held at the down.q

Bella Thorne shares personal struggles in 1st poetry book

By ALICIA RANCILIO ness that I’ve kind of been ring Adam Sandler, “The
Associated Press through, and I wonder DUFF” and “Midnight Sun”
NEW YORK (AP) — Bella where I would be if I wasn’t opposite Patrick Schwar-
Thorne says people are me,” Thorne said recently. zenegger.
confused by her and she She dates a lot of the po- Thorne has shed some of
doesn’t understand why, ems so readers can chart the wholesome Disney im-
but maybe her new book her personal growth and age, embracing more of
will clear things up. healing. a free spirit. She has a nose
“People constantly come “That’s important. You piercing, recently came
to me, directors, produc- change your mind, you out as pansexual and is
ers, people that are like in change your opinion, you open about her marijuana
the industry, and they’re change your whole entire use. “Seriously, I’m an open
always like, ‘I just really mis- mindset, and that’s OK be- book. I’m not acting here.
judged you. You’re just so cause you live, you learn, Like, legit, I never wear
different, Bella. It’s just so you get older and you de- makeup unless I’m get-
crazy. I wish everyone knew cide differently.” ting paid for it or I’m doing
the real you.’” This Jan. 22, 2018 file photo shows actress Bella Thorne during Thorne, 21, was a Disney press. I literally show every
The actress says she’s not the Sundance Film Festival Park City, Utah. kid, landing a role along- aspect of me. I refuse to
sure what’s so confusing Associated Press side Zendaya in 2010 on edit anything of myself,”
because her life is an open nabe Mogul: Mental Disar- having dyslexia. the Disney Channel series Thorne said.
book — so much so that ray Vol. 1” (Rare Bird Books). “I constantly wonder “Shake It Up.” Since that She may not hold back,
she’s written a very per- She writes about personal how I’m so OK because wrapped in 2013, she’s but she is nervous about
sonal collection of poetry struggles, relationships, sex- sometimes I get lost in my worked steadily with roles in how the book will be
called “The Life of a Wan- ual abuse, depression and thoughts of all of the dark- movies like “Blended” star- perceived.q