Are beauty pageants still relevant?

The latest edition of Miss Universe Singapore was made more inclusive, with a single mother and a transgender woman as contestants. But how relevant are beauty pageants today?
Steven Chia and Crispina Robert take a beauty deep dive with Angela Tay, managing director of ERM Singapore which organises Mrs Singapore World and Manhunt Singapore, and Mrs Veronica Lee, this year’s winner of Mrs Singapore World. 
Crispina Robert, host:
Angela, maybe you want to weigh in on this concept of beauty and especially beauty pageants. In a way, it’s still being judged according to a format. You still have the bikini segment and (you are) judged by a panel, watched by millions. Some people would say, is this a bit irrelevant in the current age? What do you say to detractors?
Angela Tay, ERM Singapore managing director:
To me, wearing a bikini or even swimwear is about confidence. You have to have the confidence to be able to put on that two-piece (suit) and walk on the stage to flaunt what you have. It’s not about anything bad, but it’s … how you want to inspire people to love yourself more and be confident with what you have.
Crispina:
But some people would say that young women might say, “Why do I have to have a bikini to show that I’m confident, right?”
Steven Chia, host: 
Yeah. They may say it’s a rather superficial kind of competition. 
Angela: 
If you do not have a swimwear segment in a beauty pageant, then it’s not a beauty pageant anymore. 
Steven:
So, you’re saying that visual element is necessary. Why?
Angela:
At the end of the day, we still want to look at the beautiful part of a woman, not just having brains, but as an overall thing. 
Crispina:
So, beauty is still in terms of physical beauty. 
Angela: 
Yes, it’s a package to be a beauty queen …
Steven:
For a beauty pageant, I guess so, because the name says beauty pageant, right? But some may argue that in this day and age, putting women on a pedestal and the objectification of women seems a bit wrong. How would you respond to that? 
Veronica Lee, Mrs Singapore World 2024:
I completely hear you. Prior to joining a pageant, I must admit, I (did) have my reservations, and like many people, preconceptions about what a beauty pageant is.