While `Black Girls Rock’ was being aired on BET Sunday night, another Black Girl captivated the judges and was crowned the 98th “Miss America” in Atlantic City. 25-year-old NIA FRANKLIN “Miss New York” a professional artist who excel in music, beat out 51 other contestants to win the crown, title, bragging rights and $50,000 in scholarship money. Second place went to Bridget Oei “Miss Connecticut” while Holli Conway “Miss Louisiana” placed third. Rounding out the Royal Court were; Taylor Tyson “Miss Florida” in fourth place and Gabriella Taveras “Miss Massachusetts” placed fifth.OPERA SINGER
During the revised pageant, where there was no swimsuit competition and the introduction of a `Red Carpet’ competition (which didn’t make any sense) supposedly taking the place of the evening gown parade, Nia won the hearts of the audience, during the talent segment of the competition, with a stunning rendition of `Quando m’en vo’ from the Opera `La Boheme.’ Runner-up, Bridget Oei performed an Irish Tap dance, while Holli Conway sang `I Believe.’ Dancing With the Stars judge, Carrie Ann Inaba was the evening’s host, while Television personality Ross Matthews played co-host.
BEAUTY AND BRAINS
Regardless of how they tried to change the essence of “Miss America” and the controversy surrounding outgoing Queen, Cara Mund, the evening turned out to be a pageant where the best girl won. Nia happened to be smart, talented and really, the prettiest of the 10 finalists chosen. Some may argue that “Miss America” is a scholarship pageant, and the focus should be on the academic achievements of the contestants, but there is nothing wrong with a balance of brains and beauty. Clearly, winner Nia is quite accomplished in the academic arena. A graduate from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, with a Masters degree in music composition, Nia Franklin was accepted at the Kenan Fellow Program at Lincoln Center Education in New York City.
CELEBRITY JUDGES
“I grew up in a school with only 5% minority population, but growing up I found my love of arts and through music. I felt positive about myself and who I was. That’s what I would encourage young girls to do, to find out who you are,” stressed Nia during one of the several Q&A segments during the competition. The original team of contestants representing all 50 States and Hawaii was narrowed down to 15 semi-finalists, then to 10 through a process of elimination. The final night judges were: Boxer and Cookbook writer Laila Ali; Country music stars, Jessie James Decker and Bobby Bones; Musician and American Idol Randy Jackson; Singer and TV co-host Carnie Wilson; Award-winning TV Journalist Soledad O’Brien and Drybar founder Alli Webb.
OTHER FINALISTS
The other beauties that made up the elite group of top ten finalists were: Allison Farris `Miss District of Colombia,’ Elery Jones `Miss Colorado,’ Nina Forest `Miss Idaho,’ Callie Walker `Miss Alabama’ and Jessica Shaltis`Miss Nebraska.’
