Her talent is probably the reason why she won. It was truly outstanding. She's also very, very beautiful. On Stage Question isn't worth as much as talent was. The Composite score from Prelims comes into play as well, and she absolutely killed it in Talent and Gown there.

My heart was breaking when she answered that question, because her answer and its presentation was sorely not good to say the least. I wanted either Betty, Mary Katherine or Kelly to win...I'm happy to get my wish.

RATS!! I missed the last fifteen minutes, and am at loss.

I did like Miss Georgia, though.

That makes Adeline Kenerly, a UGA Zeta Tau Alpha, as the new Miss Georgia!

I'm on the west coast and I must admit that I cheated and looked online at who won the crown! I think Miss Georgia is absolutely beautiful. My favorite evening gown was Miss Texas. I switched over to another show during the talent portion--too painful to watch. Was surprised to see Miss Georgia stumble twice , or get her heal caught, in her evening wear! You would think she'd have that skill down! What is the purpose of the swimsuit segment? It's just a display of T & A in my opinion. They could get rid of that segment altogether. Loved the public apology to Vanessa Williams! She is a class act. BTW I am writing this at 10:33 PM PST-- not middle of the night.

I think that Miss Georgia is a good pick. I was rooting for Miss Colorado up until Miss Georgia sang, then I realized that she was probably the best choice. Greek women had excellent representation last evening.

I think that overall the dresses looked a little too "pageant" to me. I would prefer to see somewhat more youthful styles. It was fun to see the shots of the judges as they were evaluating the girls. They were trying hard to maintain fixed expressions, but not always succeeding. Zendaya looked so serious!

For those keeping count, out of the Top 15 are Greek: (listed in alphabetical state order)
Miss Alabama, Meg McGuffin - Phi Mu (Auburn)
Miss Arkansas, Loren McDaniel - Kappa Delta (Arkansas)
Miss Florida, Mary Katherine Fechtel - Kappa Delta (Florida)
Miss Louisiana, April Nelson - Alpha Phi (Okla. City Univ.)
Miss Mississippi, Hannah Roberts - Kappa Delta (Univ. of So. Miss.)
Miss Nebraska, Alyssa Howell - Pi Beta Phi (Creighton)
Miss Oklahoma, Georgia Frazier - Alpha Chi Omega (Univ. of Oklahoma)
Miss Tennessee, Hannah Robison - Alpha Omicron Pi (U. Tenn. - Martin)
Miss Texas, Shannon Sanderford - Chi Omega (Univ. of Oklahoma)
Miss Wyoming, Chelsea Malone - Alpha Phi Omega (service fraternity)

10 out of the top 15 -- 67%!

Top 10:
Miss Alabama, Meg McGuffin - Phi Mu (Auburn)
Miss Florida, Mary Katherine Fechtel - Kappa Delta (Florida)
Miss Louisiana, April Nelson - Alpha Phi (Okla. City Univ.)
Miss Mississippi, Hannah Roberts - Kappa Delta (Univ. of So. Miss.)
Miss Oklahoma, Georgia Frazier - Alpha Chi Omega (Univ. of Oklahoma)
Miss Tennessee, Hannah Robison - Alpha Omicron Pi (U. Tenn. - Martin)
Miss Texas, Shannon Sanderford - Chi Omega (Univ. of Oklahoma)

7 out of 10 - 70%!

Top 5:
Miss Alabama, Meg McGuffin - Phi Mu (Auburn)
Miss Louisiana, April Nelson - Alpha Phi (Okla. City Univ.)
Miss Mississippi, Hannah Roberts - Kappa Delta (Univ. of So. Miss.)

3 out of 5 - 60%!

Okay, I recorded this and just watched it today, so, a little late, but...

- I thought Tennessee and Oklahoma looked the best for swimsuit (and I know I ALWAYS wear 6 inch heels with my swimsuits LOL)
- Several of the dresses looked all the same. I don't like when you can see the seam lines in satin dresses. It drives me crazy. There were a few pretty ones but I don't remember which ones. I REALLY hate the 2 piece thing, it just doesn't work for these kind of dresses.
- Talents were questionable. Georgia was definitely the best talent. Some of the singers were very pitchy and the violin girl sounded really squeaky. I liked the story behind being an RN but I didn't really think that was a 'talent' per se.
- Tennessee and Louisiana's answers were my favorite, but Alabama and Georgia's OUCH. Alabama was waaaaayyyyy too outspoken.
- Georgia's facial expressions every time they called her name were a little over the top though

I love my alma mater
 

Miss America is a Mercer Bear!

I didn't know what all the talk in the news here was about, now I get it. All I kept seeing was how New England is not a fan of the new Miss America. Didn't know why and didn't care enough to read an article...

After hearing some of the singing performances this year, I miss the days of saxophone and banjo performances.

Does anyone else remember a 1970's contestant who performed a handstand while tap-dancing upside-down against a board that was held up by a stagehand? Or was that not during Miss America? Maybe Miss Teenage America?

I don't remember that, but I do remember when Miss Michigan Kaye Lani Rai Rafko won with her hula dancing talent. I audibly groaned when they announced that was her talent, but it worked!!

Here's a look back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jk3MRGGJkA

She had absolutely no idea how to answer a terribly-worded question about a topic she clearly knew nothing about. I felt bad for her, honestly.

Miss Michigan should have won for her outfit alone!

I remember one year a contestant did a ventriloquist act for her talent. Now it seems that everyone sings or does lyrical dance.

I miss the cheesy production number all the contestants would do.

HAD to Google it. 1973 Miss New Mexico, tapping upside down.
http://www.pageantopolis.com/national/america.htm

That was, uh, Miss Ohio. Last year. (It was amazing!)

I do love the more aesthetically pleasing talents--singing, dancing, playing the piano/violin--when they're the cream of the crop, but the pageant definitely prejudices certain types of talents over others. Being really great at science or coding or soccer takes just as much dedication and can be just as fun to watch if you can figure out a good platform for it. (Video?) I wish the MAO was a little more rewarding of the women who took risks in the talent competition. It's really obvious when a woman whose talents lie elsewhere ends up doing a lackadaisical singing/dancing act because she's "supposed to"--I'd rather see something a bit more out there that clearly reflects the talent/practice/passion put into it.