Winner: | Lauren Nelson |
Represented: | Oklahoma |
Date: | January 29, 2007 |
Presenters: | Mario Lopez |
Venue: | Aladdin Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada |
Broadcaster: | CMT |
Before: | 2006 |
Next: | 2008 |
Miss America 2007, the 80th Miss America pageant, was held on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada on Monday, January 29, 2007, making it the first time that the pageant was held on a weekday, rather than the traditional Saturday since 1927's contest.
The pageant was broadcast live on CMT from the Theatre for the Performing Arts at the Aladdin Resort and Casino, only the second time that the pageant has been held outside Atlantic City.
At the conclusion of the final night of competition, outgoing titleholder Jennifer Berry crowned Lauren Nelson as her successor. Both titleholders are from Oklahoma, only the second occurrence of two consecutive winners from one state. The last time that two titleholders from the same state won in consecutive years was 1959 and 1960, when Mississippi did the honor.
One delegate from each state was chosen in state pageants held in mid-2006. Prior to competing in state pageants, the majority of delegates first were required to win a local title. Each delegates title is pre-dated to 2006, for example Melinda Toole is "Miss Alabama 2006" rather than "Miss Alabama 2007".
Many contestants competed in state pageants in both the Miss America and Miss USA systems numerous times before winning titles, and some had previously in other states to those which they won their state title.
All contestants were required to be between the ages of 17–24, unmarried and a citizen of the United States. They were also required to meet residency and education requirements.
All delegates compete in an interview competition with the judges, based on their platform issue, and also in the swimsuit, evening gown and talent competitions.
Prior to the nationally televised competition, the delegates participate in three nights of preliminary competition, where preliminary award winners are chosen in each category.
During the final telecast, following the announcement of the semi-finalists, the top ten compete in swimsuit and evening gown. The top five go on to compete in the talent competition, and the top three face a final interview round.
Placement | Contestant | |
---|---|---|
Miss America 2007 | ||
1st Runner-Up | ||
2nd Runner-Up | ||
3rd Runner-Up | ||
4th Runner-Up | ||
Top 10 |
|
Awards | Contestant | |
---|---|---|
Lifestyle and Fitness |
| |
Talent |
|
Results | Contestant | Platform | |
---|---|---|---|
Winner |
| Go Green! Global Warming Awareness | |
1st runner-up |
| Strength Over Silence: Rape Awareness And Recovery | |
2nd runner-up |
| Character Education | |
Finalists |
| Various |
Awards | Contestant | |
---|---|---|
Miss Congeniality |
| |
Non-finalist Talent Award |
|
The six judges for the competition were:[2]
State | Name | Hometown | Age1 | Talent | Placement | Awards | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | 23 | Vocal | 4th runner-up | Miss Congeniality Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up | ||||
Alaska | Stephanie Wonchala | 21 | Piano | |||||
Arizona | Hilary Griffith | 21 | Vocal | Quality of Life Award 1st runner-up | Top 10 at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant | |||
Arkansas | Amber Bennett | 23 | Vocal | |||||
California | 24 | Operatic Vocal | Top 10 | Preliminary Talent Award | ||||
Colorado | Janie Allen | 23 | Piano | |||||
Connecticut | Heidi Alice Voight | 24 | Vocal | |||||
Delaware | 25 | Dance | 4th runner-up at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant | |||||
District of Columbia | 24 | Dance | 2nd runner-up at Miss District of Columbia USA 2008 pageant | |||||
Florida | 23 | Dance / Twirl | ||||||
Georgia | 22 | Tap Dance | 2nd runner-up | Quality of Life Award Finalist | 1st runner-up at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant Later Miss Georgia USA 2008 | |||
Hawaii | Pilialoha Gaison | 23 | Tahitian Dance | Top 10 | Preliminary Talent Award | |||
Idaho | Katherine Crouch | 19 | Piano | |||||
Illinois | Heidi Ekstrom | 22 | Ballet | |||||
Indiana | Betsy Uschkrat | 24 | Classical Opera | Quality of Life Award Finalist | ||||
Iowa | Emily Nicholas | 21 | Vocal | |||||
Kansas | Michelle Walthers | 21 | Vocal | |||||
Kentucky | Rachelle Phillips | 24 | Vocal | |||||
Louisiana | 23 | Vocal | ||||||
Maine | Karissa Staples | 19 | Vocal | |||||
Maryland | Brittany Lietz | 21 | Dance | |||||
Massachusetts | 24 | Vocal | ||||||
Michigan | Angela Corsi | 24 | Contemporary Ballet En Pointe | Quality of Life Award Finalist | 3rd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant | |||
Minnesota | Nicole Swanson | 24 | Classical Viola | Non-finalist Talent Award | ||||
Mississippi | 21 | Piano | 3rd runner-up | |||||
Missouri | 21 | Vocal | Previously Miss Arkansas Teen USA 2004 | |||||
Montana | Christie Hageman | 23 | Vocal | gross | ||||
Nebraska | 23 | Dance | Preliminary Swimsuit Award | Previously Nebraska's Junior Miss 2001 | ||||
Nevada | Caydi Cole | 22 | Vocal | Previously Nevada's Junior Miss 2003 | ||||
New Hampshire | Emily Hughes | 23 | Tap Dance | |||||
New Jersey | Georgine DiMaria | 22 | Violin | Georgine M. DiMaria died at home in Lodi, N.J. at age 37 on August 28, 2021. | ||||
New Mexico | Christina Hall | 23 | Vocal | |||||
New York | Bethlene Pancoast | 24 | Tap Dance | Non-finalist Talent Award | ||||
North Carolina | 23 | Vocal | ||||||
North Dakota | 23 | Vocal | ||||||
Ohio | Melanie Murphy | 20 | Dance | |||||
Oklahoma | 20 | Vocal, "You'll Be In My Heart" | Winner | Preliminary Swimsuit Award | Previously Oklahoma Teen 2004 | |||
Oregon | Donilee McGinnis | 24 | Tap Dance | |||||
Pennsylvania | Emily Wills | 24 | Vocal | Top 10 | Preliminary Swimsuit Award | Previously Pennsylvania's Jr. Miss 2001 2nd runner-up at National Sweetheart 2005 pageant | ||
Rhode Island | Allison Rogers | 25 | Piano | Quality of Life Award Winner | ||||
South Carolina | Shelley Benthall | 21 | Vocal | Non-finalist Talent Award | Previously Miss South Carolina's Teen 2003 | |||
South Dakota | Callee Bauman | 21 | Vocal | |||||
Tennessee | 24 | Vocal | ||||||
Texas | 25 | Vocal | 1st runner-up | Preliminary Talent Award | ||||
Utah | Katie Millar | 20 | Violin | Top 10 | ||||
Vermont | 20 | Piano | Non-finalist Talent Award | |||||
Virginia | Adrianna Sgarlata | 24 | Vocal | Quality of Life Award Finalist | ||||
Virgin Islands | 24 | Steel Pan / Vocal | ||||||
Washington | Kristen Eddings | 20 | Vocal | Top 10 | ||||
West Virginia | 24 | Vocal | ||||||
Wisconsin | 22 | Dance | ||||||
Wyoming | Jenileigh Sawatzke | 24 | Aerial Artist |
Unusually, no former Miss USA delegates competed in this pageant, although Sarah French, formerly Miss Arkansas Teen USA 2004 (and Miss Photogenic at Miss Teen USA) competed as Miss Missouri.Later on Amanda Kozak, Miss Georgia won the Miss Georgia USA 2008 title and competed at Miss USA 2008.