(Thumbnail image: Miss USA Organization)

"Miss USA contestants have always been beautiful.  But this year's photo spread reveals so much more than just pretty new faces.  Out are the evening gowns.  In are lingerie, garter belts, fish net stockings, and two women with no bra." (NBC)

Racy photos of Miss USA pageant contestants are firing up debate about whether this is the appropriate way to highlight women.  

We're taking a look at the controversy from across the media spectrum.

A family advocacy spokesman Tim Winter tells CBS News — this doesn't border on soft porn — it's a blast across the bough. But the pageant's director disagrees.

"There has been a growing debate over the line between a beauty pageant and soft-core pornography … and I think this year's pageant not only erases that line, it obliterates it."

(Paula) "I don't think people have a problem with the Victoria Secret show, and actually most of the view... (CBS anchor) Because that's a lingerie company that advertises lingerie, this is supposed to be a pageant that advertises wholesome, beautiful, intelligent women, no? (Paula) Well, honestly we do.  I am very proud of the women who participate in the pageant.  This is Miss USA, not Miss America.  We have no problem saying we are a beauty pageant."

And to that, the New York Post's David K. Li  says, bring it.

"Vamped up, cleavage-baring beauties — dressed in no more than lacy lingerie or fishnets — are gracing the website of the Miss USA pageant, in an eye-popping reversal from the competition's traditional, homespun look. Now the girl next door is lucky to have a bra."

But the Kansas City Star's Lisa Gutierrez asks of the photos — glamour shot or soft porn?

"'Check out the 51 contestants like you've never seen them before,' the website promises.  No lie there.  The photographer posed the women on beds and sofas wearing lingerie, knee-high boots, fishnet stockings, serious bedroom eyes and hair, and hooker shoes, er, stilettos."

NBC's Today Show notes, pageants have through the years had issues like this.

"In 1984, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America. Later the same year, she was forced to resign over unauthorized nude pictures. Back in 2007, this was the image that Miss Nevada Katie Reece wanted the world to see.   But when these provocative photos came to light she too was dethroned.  And just last year, there was Carrie Prejean.  (Prejean) "A marriage should be between a man and a woman... (reporter) "After controversial comments on same sex marriage, she was ultimately stripped of her Miss California crown.  Semi-nude photos she posed for, didn't help her case."

But on Ryan Seacrest's radio show on KIIS-FM Miss USA owner and organizer Donald Trump says, it's just good business.

"You know whether we like it or not, beautiful women will always attract ratings.  And we've gotten great ratings and it's a great show.  And I think maybe they've gone a little over the top this year, I have some great people running it, and these pictures are pretty wild, but the girls are incredible."

So what do you think?  Too much skin?  Or do people just need to grow up?

Writer: Newsy Staff

Producer: Newsy Staff