This year, the Miss America pageant was punctuated by bright smiles, eloquent answers, and poise. However, out of its 51 contestants, only one could earn the title of Miss America 2019, and that title went to Miss New York. The competition, which was hosted by Carrie Ann Inaba and Ross Mathews, was fairly tame and upbeat. But when Nia Imani Franklin won Miss America 2019, the stadium erupted into cheers.
The theme of this year’s pageant was clear: feminism. To the tune of Beyoncé’s "Run the World (Girls)," the contestants huddled in groups, talking about diversity and inclusivity. While she didn’t make it far in the competition, Miss Michigan was an early favorite. While the other contestants introduced themselves with information about their college majors, she instead talked about Flint’s lack of clean water.
And while there was no swimsuit competition this year, a red carpet and interview portion replaced it.
That being said, 51 quickly became 10, after which the finalists performed their chosen talents for the judges. Anyone who’s seen Miss Congeniality knows this can mean anything, as Sandra Bullock’s water glass music talent should prove. As for Miss America 2019, these talent showcases included everything from a monologue about being diagnosed with cancer (Jessica Shultis, Nebraska) and several piano performances, to a high-energy river dance (Bridget Mary Oei of Connecticut).
However, Franklin’s operatic performance blew away fans and judges alike. Swishing her glittering red gown and smiling as she hit impossible notes, it was clear why judges chose her to wear the crown. According to her Miss America bio, Franklin attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she majored in Music Composition. "My dedication to the arts influenced my educational choices, resulting in my master of music composition degree," she said. "Although I was a minority in my school, I connected with my peers based on our mutual love of the arts."
Five lucky contestants made it to the top five: Nia Imani Franklin from New York, Holli Conway from Louisiana, Gabriela Taveras from Massachusetts, Taylor Tyson from Florida, and Bridget Mary Oei from Connecticut.
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