The Miss America pageant is taking a page from the highly successful book of "American Idol" and letting the public choose the final 15 contestants.

ADVERTISEMENT

For the first time in the history of the competition, the preliminary competition will be aired during a seven-part series on CMT, "Finding Miss America," Daily Variety reported Monday.

Each episode will have seven contestants competing in bathing suits, evening wear, talent and interviews. At the end of each episode, viewers will be able to vote for their favorite either by phone or CMT.com.

RELATED LINKS Other Shows Message Boards SirLinksALot: Reality TV More Miscellaneous Reality TV News

The finalists will be announced during the January pageant, which will then take on its traditional mode with a panel of judges choosing Miss America.