MISS MICHIGAN KIRSTEN HAGLUND CROWNED MISS AMERICA 2008
Miss Michigan, 19-year-old Kirsten Haglund was crowned the new Miss America 2008, the revamped makeover pageant was broadcast live on TLC with an audience of 7000 fans from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
“(It’s) a dream come true … I can’t wait to get started. Im ready to flly to New York tomorrow … I’m thrilled … I’m ready for my year as Miss America … amazing! My grandmother competed years ago, (she) loved the new show … (there are) no inhibitions–(we can) be ourselves instead of what pageant queens are supposed to look (like) … (we can)strut our stuff and be sexy if we want to.”
Our local hometown favorite and UNLV student Caleche Manos was not selected by the judges as a semi-finalist. However, earlier in the preliminary competitions Miss Nevada won the Quality of Life award and a $6000 scholarship.
The show began with all 52 contestants on stage in a new casual look, instead of the traditional gowns. Just 20-minutes into the show the judges made the first cut and nominated the 15 semi-finalists: Michigan, Iowa, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, California, Indiana, South Carolina, Georgia, Washington, Arkansas, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, Mississippi. Then pageant host Mark Steines from Entertainment Tonight, revealed that Miss Utah was the contestant chosen as “America’s Choice” by television viewers via secret Internet balloting.
The 16 semi-finalists were instantly back on stage to model their fitness skills in the swimsuit category. After parading in 15 bikinis and 1–one-piece swimsuit the judges narrowed them down to the Top Ten. Unfortunately Miss Utah, who had been selected by viewers, was KO’d. Based on her military experience overseas, Miss Utah immediately dropped to the floor and led the girls in 20 impromptu pushups!
In addition to Miss Utah’s elimination, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi were also axed! However, for the first time since the pageant began in 1921 the “losing” contestants–and their parents–stayed on stage in bleachers to watch the entire contest up close!
Next up the ten finalists donned gowns for the modeling segment where judges were looking for poise, personality and posture! Then it was time to move onto the talent section, with songs by Miss Michigan, Misss California, Miss Indiana, Miss Washington, and dances performed by Miss Virginia, North Carolina, and Miss Texas with Miss Wisconsin on violin. Miss Iowa and Miss Georgia were on stage ready to perform, but with the new–look TV reality show approach, were tossed off rather unceremoniously–being forced to “a walk of shame” across the stage from the winner’s area to the loser’s area. However, before the show went to commercial break Miss Iowa performed her amazing baton act, which won her a standing ovation from the cheering crowd.
Then the Q&A session with the eight finalists–but none of the ordinary grilling. This year questions focused on celebrity mishaps and missteps referencing Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears her sister Jamie, Tom Cruise and Mel Gibson. But the opening question about Sexually Transmitted Diseases between marriage partners put the audience into “silent shock.” “Where was the class and elegance?” one member of the audience leaned over to ask me.
The judges then selected the final contestants: Miss Washington, Miss Virginia, and Miss North Carolina were awarded scholarships–and that left four on stage as they announced Miss America. Last year’s Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson (who actually had sworn me to secrecy actually predicted to me during her last interview (click here) that she thought Kirsten would wind up the winner), crowned her successor.
We’ll have our full exclusive interview–her first–with Kirsten right here at Luxe Life on Monday.