Miss America 2008

Last updated
Miss America 2008
Kirsten Haglund headshot.png
DateJanuary 26, 2008
Presenters Mark Steines
Venue Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcaster TLC
Entrants53
Placements16
Winner Kirsten Haglund
Michigan
←  2007
2009  →

Miss America 2008, the 81st Miss America pageant, was held on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, on Saturday, January 26, 2008.

Contents

The pageant was broadcast live on TLC from the Theatre for the Performing Arts at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, only the third time that the pageant had been held outside Atlantic City.

Kirsten Haglund (Michigan) was crowned Miss America 2008 by Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson.

Miss America: Reality Check

The pageant's new network, TLC, premiered a four-week reality competition, titled Miss America: Reality Check, on January 4, 2008, hosted by Ugly Betty actor Michael Urie. The premise of the show is to show the contestants preparing for the pageant and to update the image of the Miss America pageant, which had seen a decline in popularity over the last few decades. In addition, viewers were able to vote online and choose one of the delegates to be a finalist in the pageant. [1]

Judges

The seven judges for the competition were fashion designer Trace Ayala, magazine editor Sarah Ivens, Olympic athlete and gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, casting director Jason La Padura, personal trainer Kim Lyons, television news anchor Robin Meade, and motivational speaker James Arthur Ray. [2]

Competition

All delegates compete in an interview competition with the judges, based on their platform issue, and also in the swimsuit, evening gown and talent competitions.

Prior to the nationally televised competition, the delegates participate in three nights of preliminary competition, where preliminary award winners are chosen in each category.

For the first time, sixteen semi-finalists were chosen (fifteen based on the judges' vote and one extra "People's Choice" contestant based on internet voting). The top sixteen competed in the swimsuit competition, after which judges eliminated six contestants. This was the first time the eliminated contestants were called, rather than contestants called to progress to the next round. The top ten contestants competed in the evening gown competition, and then prepared for the talent competition. Eight contestants participated in Talent, and two were eliminated in the midst of the competition. The top eight then participated in a quickfire interview competition. In a return to past proceedings, the runners-up and winner were called out of the top eight.

Delegates

State/districtNameHometownAge [lower-alpha 1] TalentPlacementSpecial awardsNotes
Alabama Jamie Langley [3] Wadley 24Vocal, "Listen"CMN Miracle Maker Award 2nd runner-up

Quality of Life Award Finalist
Alaska Cari Leyva [4] Anchorage 23Vocal, "Habanera" from Carmen Previously Miss Alaska USA 2004 [5]
Arizona Nicole Turner Phoenix 24Jazz Dance, "Proud Mary"
Arkansas Katie Bailey Conway 25Vocal, "Feeling Good"Top 16
California Melissa Chaty [6] Ukiah 23Operatic Vocal, "The Jewel Song" from Faust Top 8Previously Miss Teenage California 2003
Colorado Maggie Ireland Littleton 22Irish Step Dance, "Dueling Violins" & "Footloose"
Connecticut Dana Daunis Watertown 22Vocal, "Let Him Fly"Non-finalist Talent Award

Preliminary Talent Award		Contestant at National Sweetheart 2006 pageant
Delaware Brittany Dempsey Dover 20Jazz Dance, "Rhythm of the Night"Previously Delaware's Junior Miss 2005
District of Columbia Shayna Rudd Philadelphia 22Jazz Dance, "Feeling Good"Non-finalist Talent Award
Florida Kylie Williams [7] Jasper 24Country Vocal, "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart"Top 16Quality of Life Award 1st runner-up [8]
Georgia Leah Massee Fitzgerald 22Vocal, "If I Had My Way"Top 10
Hawaii Ashley Layfield [9] Kane'ohe 21Lyrical Dance, "Listen" from Dreamgirls Sister of Miss Hawaii USA 2008, Jonelle Layfield

2nd runner-up in Miss New York USA 2012 and 2013 pageants [10]
Idaho Sadie Quigley Idaho Falls 19Piano, "Devilish Inspiration, Op. 4, No. 4" by Sergei Prokofiev Non-finalist Talent Award
Illinois Ashley Hatfield [11] Anna 24Vocal, "To Love You More"
Indiana Nicole Rash [12] Plymouth 23Vocal, "Bandito"1st runner-upTop 10 at National Sweetheart 2006 pageant

Later Ms. America 2012 [13]

Later Mrs. America 2018 (under married name, Nicole Cook) [14]
Top 6 at Mrs. World 2018 pageant
Iowa Diana Reed [15] Norwalk 23Baton, "You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray Top 10Preliminary Talent Award
Kansas Alyssa George [16] Minneapolis 21Classical Piano
Kentucky Kaitlynne Postel [17] Lexington 21Vocal, "So Much Better" from Legally Blonde Daughter of Miss Maryland 1982, Lynne Graham Postel [17]
Louisiana Amanda Joseph Pineville 21Ballet en Pointe, "Canned Heat"
Maine Tara Allain [18] Biddeford 22Dance, "Hangin' By a Thread"
Maryland Shana Powell [19] Bowie 22Classical Vocal, "Glitter and Be Gay" from Candide
Massachusetts Valerie Amaral [20] Acushnet 22Vocal, "Anyway"CMN Miracle Maker Award

Non-finalist Talent Award

Preliminary Talent Award

Quality of Life Award Finalist		Previously Miss Massachusetts' Outstanding Teen 2001 [21]

Contestant at National Sweetheart 2006 pageant
Michigan Kirsten Haglund Farmington Hills 19Vocal, "Over the Rainbow"Winner [22] Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness AwardGranddaughter of Miss Detroit 1944, Iora June Victor [23]
Minnesota Jennifer Hudspeth [24] Apple Valley 23Vocal, "Life of the Party" from The Wild Party Quality of Life Award Finalist
Mississippi Kimberly Morgan [25] Taylor 24Vocal, "God Bless the Child"Top 16
Missouri Lindsay Casmaer Florissant 24Ballet en Pointe, "Piano Fantasy"
Montana Kristen Mantooth Lewistown 22Lyrical Dance, "Beauty from Pain"
Nebraska Ashley Bauer Scottsbluff 21Vocal, "This Is My Life"'Contestant at National Sweetheart 2006 pageant
Nevada Caleche Manos Reno 23Vocal, "Love Is a Battlefield"Quality of Life AwardContestant at National Sweetheart 2006 pageant
New Hampshire Rachel Barker Amherst 20Ballet en Pointe, "Someone Like You" from Jekyll & Hyde Pyramid Scholarship for Public Relations & Marketing
New Jersey Amy Polumbo [26] Howell 22Vocal, "Astonishing" from Little Women Non-finalist Talent Award
New Mexico Jenny Marlowe Albuquerque 23Vocal, "Born For This"
New York Elisabeth Baldanza Oneonta 23Contemporary Ballet, "Your Daddy's Son" from Ragtime
North Carolina Jessica Jacobs High Point 23Ballet en pointe, "Spring" from The Four Seasons 4th runner-up
North Dakota Ashley Young [27] Grand Forks 20Classical Vocal, "Adele's Laughing Song" from Die Fledermaus Miss Congeniality
Ohio Roberta Camp Grove City 23Vocal, "Blessed"
Oklahoma Makenna Smith Oklahoma City 24Vocal, "Wheels of a Dream" from Ragtime Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up
Oregon Kari Virding [28] Portland 24Vocal, "The Girl in 14G"Non-finalist Talent AwardPreviously Miss Oregon Teen USA 2000
Pennsylvania Rachel Brooks Broomall 24Vocal, "Summertime"Non-finalist Talent Award
Rhode Island Ashley Bickford Newport 22Ballet en PointeMiss Photogenic

Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award

Quality of Life Award Finalist		Previously Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2002
Top 10 at Miss Teen USA 2002 pageant

Later Miss Connecticut USA 2010
South Carolina Crystal Garrett [29] Columbia 21Vocal, "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Boulevard Top 16
South Dakota Kate Wismer Britton 22Classical Vocal, "The Doll Song" from The Tales of Hoffmann
Tennessee Grace Gore Nashville 24Vocal, "What a Wonderful Day"Top 16Quality of Life Award FinalistPreviously Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2002
Texas Molly Hazlett [30] Centerville 21Character Jazz en Pointe, "Rich Man's Frug" from Sweet Charity Top 8Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award
Utah Jill Stevens Kaysville 24Vocal, "Shy" from Once Upon a Mattress Top 16America's Choice
Vermont Rachel Ann Cole Middlebury 22Monologue, "Queen Hermione" from A Winter's Tale
Virgin Islands Janeisha John Saint Croix 20Jazz DanceLater Miss US Virgin Islands 2010
Virginia Hannah Kiefer [31] High Point, NC 21Classical Ballet en Pointe, "The Chocolate Dance" from The Nutcracker 3rd runner-upCharles and Theresa Brown ScholarshipEligible as a student at Hollins University
Washington Elyse Umemoto Wapato 23Popular Vocal, "Angels"2nd runner-up [32] [33] 3rd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2006 pageant

Contestant on Survivor: South Pacific
West Virginia Summer Wyatt Athens 21Vocal, "Why Haven't I Heard from You"
Wisconsin Christina Thompson [34] Pleasant Prairie 23Classical Violin, "Praeludium & Allegro" by Fritz Kreisler Top 8
Wyoming Jennifer McCafferty Scottsbluff, NE 23Vocal, "Gimme, Gimme" from Thoroughly Modern Millie Eligible to compete as a student at the University of Wyoming

Notes

  1. ↑ Ages at the time of national competition

Crossovers

For the first time since Miss America 2003, four former Miss Universe Organization titleholders competed at Miss America. They are:

Related Research Articles

The Miss California competition selects the representative for the state of California in the Miss America competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss Connecticut Teen USA</span> Beauty pageant competition

The Miss Connecticut Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Connecticut in the Miss Teen USA pageant.

The Miss Alaska competition is a scholarship pageant that selects the representative for the state of Alaska in the Miss America pageant. Unlike most state-level pageants in the Miss America system, Alaska allows any eligible woman to enter the Miss Alaska pageant without first having to win a local qualifying pageant. Emma Broyles was crowned Miss America 2022 on December 16, 2021. She is the first woman from Alaska to win the title, and only the third woman from Alaska to place at Miss America.

The Miss Oklahoma competition selects a winner to compete on behalf of Oklahoma in the Miss America pageant. Miss Oklahoma has won the Miss America crown on five occasions. Also, in the years when city representatives were common, Norma Smallwood won, competing as Miss Tulsa, giving the state of Oklahoma a total of six crowns. Oklahoma is also one of three states to win back to back Miss America titles.

The Miss Virginia competition is a scholarship pageant for women, with the titleholder representing Virginia in the Miss America pageant. The competition was founded in 1953 as a scholarship contest for young women, although women had represented Virginia in the Miss America pageant since the 1930s. Four Miss Virginia winners have gone on to be crowned Miss America, including former national titleholder Caressa Cameron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 2007</span> 56th Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 2007 was the 56th Miss USA pageant, held at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 23, 2007, after two weeks of events and preliminary competition. The winner of the pageant was Rachel Smith of Tennessee.

The Miss Hawaii competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the State of Hawaii in the Miss America pageant, and the name of the title held by that winner. Hawaii first competed at Miss America in 1948 and has twice won the Miss America title, in 1992 and 2001.

The Miss Indiana competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Indiana in the Miss America Pageant.

The Miss Michigan competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Michigan in the Miss America pageant. Michigan has won the Miss America crown on five occasions.

The Miss Rhode Island competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Rhode Island in the Miss America pageant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mrs. America (contest)</span> American beauty pageant

Mrs. America Pageant is a beauty competition that was established to honor married women throughout the United States of America. Each of the contestants representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia ranges in age from their 20s to 50s and earns the right to participate in the national event by winning her state competition. These state events are under the direction of Mrs. America state directors. The winner goes on to compete in the Mrs. World pageant.

The Miss Alaska's Teen competition is the pageant that selects the representative for Alaska in the Miss America's Teen pageant.

For the state pageant affiliated with Miss Teen USA, see Miss Oklahoma Teen USA

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 2017</span> 66th Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 2017 was the 66th Miss USA pageant. It was held on May 14, 2017 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Terrence J and Julianne Hough served as hosts, while Ashley Graham also returned as backstage host, all for a second consecutive year. Brett Eldredge, Pitbull, and the cast of Michael Jackson: One by Cirque du Soleil performed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss America 2018</span> 91st edition of the Miss America competition

Miss America 2018, the 91st Miss America pageant, though the Miss America Organization celebrated its 97th anniversary in 2017. This discrepancy is due to no national pageants being held from 1928 to 1932 or in 1934 because of financial problems associated with the Great Depression. The 2018 pageant was held in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sunday, September 10, 2017. This was the first Miss America pageant to be held in Atlantic City since the Miss America Organization headquarters relocated to Boardwalk Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 2018</span> 67th Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 2018 was the 67th Miss USA pageant. It was held on May 21, 2018 at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana. The pageant was held at the same venue that was used for Miss USA 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2007</span>

Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2007 was the second Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant, held at the Linda Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, on August 19, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008</span> 3rd Miss America Outstanding Teen pageant held in Orlando, Florida

Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 was the third Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant, held at the Linda Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on August 11, 2007.

The Miss America 2020 competition was held on Thursday, December 19, 2019. This was the 93rd Miss America pageant/competition, though the Miss America Organization celebrated its 99th anniversary in 2019. This discrepancy is due to national pageants not being held from 1928 to 1932 or in 1934 because of financial problems associated with the Great Depression.

Miss USA 2021 was the 70th Miss USA pageant, held at the Paradise Cove Theater of River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma on 29 November 2021. The edition marked the first year of the competition under Crystle Stewart's directorship.

References

  1. ↑ "Miss America: Reality Check". TV.com. January 4, 2008.
  2. ↑ "Miss America: Press Releases: 2008 National Judges Announced for Miss America Live!". Miss America Organization. January 3, 2008. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  3. ↑ "Jamie Langley crowned Miss Alabama". The Randolph Leader. June 13, 2007.
  4. ↑ "A Big Night at the Miss America Prelims". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 24, 2008. Speaking of tough odds: Miss Alaska Cari Leyva...
  5. ↑ Curtis, Paul C. (April 12, 2004). "Justine Michioka appears in 'Miss USA' tonight". The Garden Island. ...her roommate is Miss Alaska, Cari Leyva...
  6. ↑ Associated Press (2007-07-01). "Miss North Coast Melissa Chaty wins 2007 Miss California crown". The Lompoc Record. Retrieved 2007-07-01.[ dead link ]
  7. ↑ "Reigning Miss Tallahassee wins Miss Florida crown". Tallahassee Democrat. 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2007-07-01.[ dead link ]
  8. ↑ Godefrin, Shelly (May 2, 2008). "Miss Florida 2007 tells students to make good decisions". News Chief.
  9. ↑ "Ashley Layfield Crowned New Miss Hawaii". Hawaii News Now. June 18, 2007.
  10. ↑ "Miss New York USA & Teen USA pageant results". Pageant Update.
  11. ↑ Gier, Nancy (July 1, 2007). "Downstater crowned Miss Illinois". Daily Herald.
  12. ↑ "Nicole Rash is 2007 Miss Indiana". Zionsville Times Sentinel. June 27, 2007.
  13. ↑ Peterson, Deb (April 17, 2012). "St. Louis' Nicole Rash crowned Ms. America". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  14. ↑ "Chief Meteorologist places in Top 15 in Mrs. America Pageant". KGET News. August 27, 2018. Nicole Elizabeth Cook of Illinois was crowned Mrs. America.
  15. ↑ Geyer, Thomas; Fedderson, Dawn (June 10, 2007). "Reed wins Miss Iowa competition". The Quad-City Times.
  16. ↑ Britt, Karrey (June 12, 2007). "New Miss Kansas seeks winning streak". Lawrence Journal-World.
  17. 1 2 Phelps, Melodie (July 22, 2007). "Miss Monticello Kaitlynne Postel wins Miss Kentucky". The Outlook.
  18. ↑ "Betty Morrison: Miss Maine, an author and the 'Book Bandit' all visit Alfred Elementary School". Fosters.com. April 24, 2008. ...discovered that Miss Maine, Tara Allain, a senior at Colby College...
  19. ↑ "Miss Allegany County crowned Miss Maryland". WMDT. July 1, 2007. Archived from the original on April 16, 2017.
  20. ↑ Wagner, Jeffrey D. (June 24, 2007). "Acushnet resident Valerie Amaral crowned Miss Massachusetts". The Herald News.
  21. ↑ "Former Titleholders". April 15, 2011. Archived from the original on April 15, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund Crowned Miss America 2008". Associated Press. January 26, 2008.
  23. ↑ Clarke, Norm (January 24, 2008). "Michigan pageant success is in genes". Las Vegas Review Journal.
  24. ↑ Molene, John (June 22, 2007). "Talent and beauty reign in Eden Prairie". Eden Prairie News.
  25. ↑ "Alcorn State Alumna Kimberly Morgan Becomes Miss Mississippi 2007". Weekly Bulletin Online. Alcorn State University. August 2, 2007. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008.
  26. ↑ Hagarty, Keith (September 21, 2007). "Howell College Student Crowned Miss New Jersey". The Howell Times. Archived from the original on September 21, 2007.
  27. ↑ Parkinson, Crysta (June 16, 2007). "Ashley Young crowned Miss N.D. 2008". Williston Daily Herald.
  28. ↑ "Miss Portland Crowned Miss Oregon 2007". Salem News. July 1, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2007.
  29. ↑ "Miss Charleston wins Miss SC pageant". TheTandD.com. July 8, 2007.
  30. ↑ "Miss Longview crowned Miss Texas". My Plainview. July 7, 2007.
  31. ↑ Mitchell, Whitney (July 13, 2007). "Miss Virginia's on top of the world". The Roanoake Times. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Miss Washington is second runner-up for Miss America". Seattle Post. January 28, 2008.
  33. ↑ "Miss Washington snags 2nd runner-up spot". KIMA TV. January 28, 2008.
  34. ↑ "Miss Madison is new Miss Wisconsin". Appleton Post Crescent. July 1, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28.
  35. ↑ "Ashley Bickford Biography". Miss Rhode Island. Archived from the original on 2008-02-02. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  36. ↑ Willenburg, Brandy (2007-07-20). "New Miss Tennessee plans to maintain strong Vanderbilt ties". The Reporter (Vanderbilt Medical Center).
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.