There she is, Miss America……
And the crown goes to…. Miss New York Nia Franklin! It’s official!!! Nia Franklin is the first Miss America who was not required to wear a swimsuit as part of the competition!!!
Finally, the day we have all been waiting for–Miss America 2.0 is here! Miss America Nia Franklin is speaking out on becoming the first winner in the competition’s nearly 100-year run to be crowned without wearing a swimsuit. The new competition reflects a greater inclusiveness, giving more women the opportunity to earn scholarships and compete for the job of Miss America, to make a difference in their communities and beyond. But what will never change? A great history of empowering women and the extraordinary group of smart, talented individuals vying for the job.
It is a new era and Miss America is evolving! “I’m a part of history,” Franklin said today on “Good Morning America.” “Miss America started off as a swimsuit competition, but I think it’s important that we’re evolving and I’m so excited to be a part of the new era.” Miss America 2.0, as it was rebranded this year in the wake of the #MeToo movement and a series of scandals, not only eliminated the controversial swimwear portion for the first time in its 98-year history but also aimed to delve deeper to find its latest winner, rather than judging the women solely on their “outward physical appearance.” Franklin said she was able to be judged on what she had in her “mind and heart.” Her amazing operatic voice probably helped, too! Franklin welcomed this year’s changes and told the Associated Press she was glad the swimsuit competition was eliminated because it enabled her to eat a little more (yassssss)!! “I’ve already seen so many young women reaching out to me personally as Miss New York asking how they can get involved because I think they feel more empowered that they don’t have to do things such as walk in a swimsuit for a scholarship,” she said.
Franklin brought the title back to the Empire State for the seventh time in Miss America history. After her father was diagnosed with cancer, Franklin entered the competition, so she could find a way to pay for school. At age 5, she wrote her first song, which she later performed during a press conference. But for the talent competition, the classically trained opera singer — who studied at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts — performed an operatic selection from La Bohème. She also focused on equal opportunity and education in her interview answers. As Miss America 2019, she’ll promote her social impact initiative “Advocating for the Arts” and work as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals.
“She believed she could, so she did”- C.S. Lewis
“There She Is, Miss America” by Bernie Wayne