SHAWNEE, Kan. — Miss Kansas is ditching her ruby red slippers for the Miss America pageant and coming out with an edgier look that she says better reflects who she really is.
Jaws dropped when Miss Kansas Theresa Vail revealed her bold torso tattoo during the preliminary swimsuit portion of the Miss America Pageant.
“A lot of girls in the past have used something to cover up their tattoos, but Theresa said ‘This is me. I’m going to be who I am,'” said Vail’s wardrobe stylist Vickie Cackler.
Cackler said Vail’s goal in the competition is to break the “pageant girl” stereotype.
“I mean she really truly is,” said Cackler. “How many times do you find a girl that’s proficient in weaponry and can sing opera and is fluent in Chinese and is a chemistry major?
Vail’s tattoo is of the serenity prayer. The buzz isn’t because she’s inked, but because of her bold choice of size and placement.
“Probably 60 percent or more of the girls in pageant have tattoos of some kind that aren’t showing,” said Cackler.
But could Theresa be part of an emerging generation of women using their bodies as canvases? She sure is, said Kansas City, Mo. tattoo artist Dallas Self.
“Women are getting bigger tattoos. When I first started, it was smaller tattoos and it was areas that were more hidden, but it does seem they are getting bigger tattoos on their arms, chests and backs,” he said.
Self claimed bold tattoos are becoming more socially acceptable, but in the workplace, you still want to be careful.
“If you’re looking go into many of the classic jobs that have sterotypically not allowed tattoos to be visible in the past, you’re probably not wanting to go get your face tattooed,” he said.
“It may hinder their chances, so it’s something to really think about before you step our that far,” added Cackler.
But for now, it seems like a loud tattoo may be more of a help for Vail, the military gal turned pageant queen.
“I would be astounded if she doesnt at least make the top 10,” said Cackler. “She’s the real deal, she’s terriffic.”
The Miss America pageant will air on Sunday.
