Is it possible for a beauty pageant to be too sexy?

That's the question directed at Miss Universe these days, as the organization has posed most of its 2010 contestants in almost nothing but body paint for a new set of promotional images.
Some think these photos go too far.
"It's alarming that this has been turned into a Playboy-esque masquerade," Angie Meyer, a former pageant employee, told Fox News. "By implementing topless photos as part of the pageant process, they're putting applicants in an extremely compromising position."
As opposed to the bathing suit and evening gown segments of the event, which place contestants in uncompromising positions and are not based on appearances?
The organization tells ET: "The contestants who compete at Miss Universe are diverse as they represent more than 82 countries around the globe. Many of their cultures embrace nudity. These photos are a form of artistic expression for each contestant and we respect their desire to pose topless, or not. We feel the images captured are fashionable and cutting edge!"

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