The finals and crowning of 2009 Miss America pageant will televise live on the TLC network on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
With significant scholarships awarded to the winner, the coveted title will be competed among 52 candidates. The champion will represent the United States to run for Miss Universe this year.
Miss Texas Crystle Stewart (C) is surrounded by other contestants after winning the Miss USA 2008 pageant at the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada April 11, 2008. It's the first time for four contestants in top 15 to be voted into the pageant finals by audience of "Miss America: Countdown to the Crown." The first pageant dated back to 1921 as an Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce initiative to extend the local tourist season. After 88 years, this pageant for beauty, brain and drive keeps evolving and will make big differences.
President and general manager for TLC Angela Shapiro-Mathes said "As viewers watch 'Miss America: Reality Check' they'll get to know the contestants in a way that they never have before. The entire competition becomes more relevant to today's audience as they vote and root for their favorites at the live finale."
"America is going to have a much greater impact than they've ever had before," said Brent Zackey, vice-president for production and development at TLC. "We thought it would be great to really make the whole scheme of the reality show about America getting to know these women and letting them focus in on the women they would vote into the finals."
Miss Texas Crystle Stewart wears an evening gown during the Miss USA 2008 pageant at the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada April 11, 2008. Stewart won the pageant. Art McMaster, president of the organization revealed, he assures the pageant faithful and there would be a positive effect to the new arrangement whereupon.
"It helps a great deal to have such a respected and well-known title that gets you in the door, but it only gets you so far," said Johnson, who worked to raise 150 million U.S. dollars in federal funding every year for diabetes research. "The title of Miss America can work for and against you at the same time. It can get you the political meeting, but it's up to the woman to fight for credibility. It's why women who hold the position are so strong and vociferous. You learn by fire how to be."
"Miss America gives you an international forum for your service that is really hard to come by for people in their 20s. It taught me to have a voice. And when you speak up and are passionate, people respect that, " said Kate Shindle, 1998's winner who secured almost 20 to 30 million dollars for AIDS organizations during her reign.
Brother and sister duo Donnie and Marie Osmond (C) host the Miss USA 2008 pageant at the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada April 11, 2008.
Contestants in the Miss USA 2008 pageant dance to a live band during a pool party at the Golden Nugget hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada April 1, 2008 in this publicity photo released to Reuters April 2, 2008. From left are LauRen Merola, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2008; Brittany Mason, Miss Indiana USA 2008; Skylene Montgomery, Miss West Virginia USA 2008; Tracey Brown, Miss Idaho USA 2008; Crystle Stewart, Miss Texas USA 2008; and Chelsey Sophia Rodgers, Miss District Of Columbia USA 2008. They will compete in the 57th annual Miss USA pageant to be held April 11, 2008 in Las Vegas.
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