Miss Delaware Joanna Wicks on feminism, the #MeToo era and her talent of speed painting

Miss Delaware Joanna Wicks is not your mother's beauty queen.

She's a self-described feminist who loves Wonder Woman and wants more people to talk about how women of color are disproportionately affected by domestic violence.  

The New Castle resident was crowned the 76th Miss Delaware on Saturday night. She was one of 13 women who were judged on swimsuit, formal attire, interview and talent. Wicks' platform aimed to bring awareness of domestic violence in communities of color and her talent was speed painting (more on that later.)

Wicks will head to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September to compete in the Miss America contest.  

Here's what the 24-year-old, who works as an art teacher at Saint Thomas More Academy, had to say about feminism, beauty pageant haters and the nerve-wracking moments leading to the crown.

This interview has been edited and condensed. 

Since your platform is about domestic violence, how would you say Miss America pageants fit in our current era of #MeToo?

I think pageants definitely are adapting and I think they are still relevant. I think it gives women a platform to speak about issues women are facing, to talk about their concerns and to prove how successful they have been. And to talk about their ambitions, which doesn't happen a lot of the time.  

What was the most nerve-wracking moment of the competition? Is it walking in those heels?

They're actually more comfortable than they look (laughs).

Probably the interview portion, because they can ask really anything. 

What was your interview question? Do you remember what you said?

It all went by so fast. I had one about the opioid epidemic and another about affirmative action. They asked a wide range of topics. Another contestant was asked about terrorism, others were asked about school safety.

I talked about how a lot of places are seeing success in safe injection sites and that's helping monitor the dosage people are taking. They aren't sharing needles, so it's helping with issues that are outside of the actual drug dependency.

Obviously people have mixed opinions because they are using, but it's in a much more structured, monitored way. From what I've seen in other places, it's had a positive impact. 

So speed painting. Why did you decide to make this your talent and what does it consist of?

I studied art throughout college (at the University of Delaware) and I'm an art teacher. I do have experience with dance and I play the violin a little bit, but art is what I'm really passionate about. It's not something you see on the Miss Delaware/Miss America stage too often.

I painted Wonder Woman, but there were a few hiccups. I speed paint using glue and I throw glitter on it. The glue dried a bit faster than I anticipated for the Miss Delaware competition, so all the details I planned to have on there didn't quite make it. 

How long did you have to do it?

We only have 90 seconds. 

This month, the Miss America Organization announced it was eliminating the swimsuit competition. What are your thoughts on this?

I personally love the swimsuit portion. This year at Miss Delaware I did win the lifestyle and fitness award, which is probably the last one they'll ever have.

I'm excited to see how this impacts the organization. I know in speaking to some of my students who want to get involved, the swimsuit has deterred from them entering in the past. So I'm hoping these changes will really help the organization grow and reach more women who might not have competed previously. 

I'm curious it if will bring a diversity of body types.

I hope so. 

What would you say to people who think beauty pageants are sexist and consist of little substance?

That notion is completely false. We are all there because we want to be. It really is the smartest group of women I have ever been around. It's been so amazing to hear about the work that they're doing and what they're studying. One of the contestants is planning to go to law school. A lot of them are studying in STEM fields and finishing up college.

It's an amazing, smart, bold, goal-driven group of women. 

Do you consider yourself to be a feminist?

Definitely. I think most of us would. I think that word gets skewed a bit. But at the end of the day, what that word is supposed to mean is the belief that men and women are equal. 

Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or mnewman@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @MereNewman.