Indian-American Crowned Miss America
The city of Atlanta regained the prestigious Miss America crown for the first time in 6 years. “Atlantic City has survived Hurricane Sandy!” said Good Morning America‘s Lara Spencer, co-hosting the ABC show with Chris Harrison.
The Miss New York crown was adjudged to Ms. Nina Davuluri, 24, from Syracuse, crowned with a tiara and the $50,000 scholarship cash. During the contest she performed on a Bollywood fusion dance and replied a question about plastic surgery- “Be confident in who you are!
Nina Davuluri is the first Indian-American to serve as Miss New York/ She is the first Miss America winner of Indian descent.
The contest was tightly scheduled with big numbers,tight swimsuit strutting, long evening gowns, dancing, singing and most important answering judges queries on topics like Miley Cyrus and Syria. A total of 53 participants were shortlisted from 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to finally zero down on one winner.
The Judges for the contest: Carla Hall, Barbara Corcoran, Lance Bass, Mario Cantone,Amar’e Stoudemire, Joshua Bell and the last Miss America from Atlantic City, Diedre Downs Gunn.
Moments Picked from the event:
List of Participants along with their quippy catchphrases introduction:
•Miss Alabama- “From the state known for its national football championships, here’s your champion tonight, ‘m Miss Alabama, Chandler Champion.”
•Miss California-“Tweet me, like me, text me! Streaming to you from Silicon Valley, I’m Crystal Lee, Miss California.
•Miss District of Columbia-“Listening to your phone calls from the Nation’s Capital. Just kidding! I’m Miss District of Columbia, Bindhu Pamarthi.”
•Miss Florida- “Once most famous for the fountain of youth, now we’re known as America’s weirdest state. I am Miss Florida, Myrrhanda Jones.”
•Miss Kansas Theresa- “Out of 5,500 Kansas army national guardsman, Uncle Sam wanted me. Hoping you will too, I am Miss Kansas Theresa Vail.”
•Miss Louisiana- “From the home of Duck Dynasty, I’m here to trade in my duck call for the Miss America crown. I’m Miss Louisiana Jaden Leach.”
•Miss Maryland-“From the home of the reigning Super Bowl champions, you bet I’m wacko for Flacco. I’m Christina Denny, Miss Maryland.”
•Miss New Jersey-“The Jersey shore is back and, no, I don’t mean the TV show. Welcome home, Miss America. I’m Cara McCollum, Miss New Jersey.”
•Miss New Mexico-“I’m not Breaking Bad. I’m breaking through. Say my name, Alexis Duprey, Miss New Mexico.”
•Miss North Dakota-“From the state with the lowest unemployment, I’m looking for a job tonight. I am Miss North Dakota Laura Harmon.”
•Miss Oklahoma-“From the birthplace of Brad Pitt, Chuck Norris and Kristin Chenoweth — beauty, brawn and talent, I’m Kelsey Griswold, Miss Oklahoma.”
•Miss South Carolina-From the state where 20% of our homes are mobile, because that’s how we roll, I’m Brooke Mosteller, Miss South Carolina.”
•Miss Vermont-“Even though I’m lactose intolerant, Ben and Jerry are still my two favorite guys. I’m Miss Vermont, Jeanelle Achee.”
The top 15 semifinalists were:
Miss California Crystal Lee
Miss New York Nina Davuluri
Miss Oklahoma Kelsey Griswold
Miss Connecticut Kaitlyn Tarpey
Miss Georgia Carly Mathis
Miss Mississippi Chelsea Rick
Miss Texas Ivana Hall
Miss Arkansas Amy Crain
Miss Missouri Shelby Ringdahl
Miss Kentucky Jenna Day
Miss Maryland Christina Denny
Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones
Miss Wisconsin Paula Mae Kuiper
Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh
The Top 12 Finalists:
Miss Maryland Christina Denny
Miss Connecticut Kaitlyn Tarpey
Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones
Miss Missouri Shelby Ringdahl
Miss Oklahoma Kelsey Griswold
Miss New York Nina Davuluri
Miss Wisconsin Paula Mae Kuiper
Miss Texas Ivana Hall
Miss California Crystal Lee
Miss Kansas Theresa Vail
Miss Georgia Carly Mathis
Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh
Top Talent Performances:
1. Miss Oklahoma Kesley Griswold sang Everybody Says Don’t.
2. Miss New York Nina Davuluri performed a Bollywood dance.
3. Miss Kansas Therea Vail sang Puccini’s Nessun Dorma.
4. Miss California Crystal Lee performed a ballet dance.
5. Miss Connecticut Kaitlyn Tarpey did an Irish step dance.
6. Miss Georgia Carly Mathis sang On My Own from Les Miserables.
7. Miss Texas Ivana Hall sang a jazzy Fever.
8. Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh played a scherzo on the violin.
9. Miss Maryland Christina Denny sang a song from Wicked.
10. Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones performed a baton-twirling routine.
Result:
Fourth runner-up: Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh
Third runner-up: Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones
Second runner-up: Miss Oklahoma Kesley Griswold
Runner up: Miss California Crystal Lee
Winner: The new Miss America is Miss New York Nina Cavuluri!
