With several obsolete portions that are now a distant memory, the 92nd edition of the Miss America competition won Sunday a new winner in a parade of two hours of pumps, performance and pants.
As mentioned earlier, Sunday's broadcast introduced several "revolutionary" changes in the competition: not only were competitors no longer judged by their swimsuit appearance, but the traditional "evening dress" part was also replaced by an invitation to women to express themselves in a style of their choice. According to a statement from the organization, these changes were implemented to help each candidate "highlight his accomplishments and goals in life, and how he will use his talents, passion and ambition to accomplish the Miss America's work.
Judges this year included boxer Laila Ali, radio host American idol guest) Bobby Bones, music producer (and formerAmerican idol judge) Randy Jackson, reality star Jessie James Decker, journalist Soledad O'Brien, podcaster Alli Webb and musician Carnie Wilson. The ceremony was co-hosted by Carrie Ann Inaba of Dancing With the Star and Ross Mathews of Celebrity Big Brother.
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Miss America 2019 winner Nia Franklin
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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, SEPTEMBER 09: Miss New York Nia Franklin wins the 2019 Miss America Pageant at the Historic Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Tom Briglia / Getty Images)
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, SEPTEMBER 09: Miss New York Nia Franklin wins the 2019 Miss America Pageant at the Historic Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Tom Briglia / Getty Images)
ATLANTIC_CITY_NJ_ September_9: Miss New York Nia Franklin wins the 2019 Miss America Pageant that took place in the Historic Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tom Briglia / Getty Images
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, SEPTEMBER 09: Miss New York Nia Franklin wins the 2019 Miss America Pageant at the Historic Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Tom Briglia / Getty Images)
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, SEPTEMBER 09: Miss New York Nia Franklin makes the top 10 of the Miss America Pageant 2019 that took place in the Historic Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Tom Briglia / Getty Images)
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, SEPTEMBER 09: Miss New York Nia Franklin makes the top 10 of the Miss America Pageant 2019 that took place in the Historic Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Tom Briglia / Getty Images)
MISS AMERICA 2019 – 9/9/18
The 2019 Miss America Competition is broadcast live from the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 (9 pm-11pm ET) on the ABC Network.
(photo of Lou Rocco / ABC via Getty Images)
MISS NEW YORK NIA IMANI FRANKLIN
MISS AMERICA 2019 – 9/9/18
The 2019 Miss America Competition is broadcast live from the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 (9 pm-11pm ET) on the ABC Network.
(photo of Lou Rocco / ABC via Getty Images)
MISS NEW YORK NIA IMANI FRANKLIN
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, SEPTEMBER 09: Miss New York Nia Franklin wins the 2019 Miss America Pageant at the Historic Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Tom Briglia / Getty Images)
MISS AMERICA 2019 – 9/9/18
The 2019 Miss America Competition is broadcast live from the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 (9 pm-11pm ET) on the ABC Network.
(photo of Lou Rocco / ABC via Getty Images)
CARRIE ANN INABA, MISS AMERICA NIA IMANI FRANKLIN, ROSS MATHEWS
MISS AMERICA 2019 – 9/9/18
The 2019 Miss America Competition is broadcast live from the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 (9 pm-11pm ET) on the ABC Network.
(photo of Lou Rocco / ABC via Getty Images)
MISS FLORIDA TAYLOR TYSON, MISS CONNECTICUT BRIDGET MARY OEI, MISS AMERICA 2019 NIA IMANI FRANKLIN, Miss LOUISIANA HOLLI & CONWAY
MISS AMERICA 2019 – 9/9/18
The 2019 Miss America Competition is broadcast live from the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 9, 2018 (9 pm-11pm ET) on the ABC Network.
(photo of Lou Rocco / ABC via Getty Images)
MISS AMERICA NIA IMANI FRANKLIN
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The five finalists – Nia Franklin (New York), Holli Conway (Louisiana), Gabriela Taveras (Massachusetts), Taylor Tyson (Florida), Bridget Oei (Connecticut) – faced various requests from judges, ranging from softball issues ( "How to be from New York has prepared you for this competition?") a lot more complicated ("What would you say to a man who does not want to have his own child?"). It was not quite right, but hey, life either.
After the last commercial break, Miss America 2018 Cara Mund spoke to pass the torch crown to his successor: Nia Franklin of New York! Bridget Oei of Connecticut won the title of first vice-champion. Your thoughts on this year's winner? The "new" Miss America competition? Whatever you think, drop it in a comment below.
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