By ALEX VEIGA
Associated Press Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Is there something in the water in Oklahoma that produces Miss Americas?
“I’m not sure,” says newly crowned Miss America Lauren Nelson.
Instead, the aspiring Broadway star from Lawton credits her fans back home for making her the second contestant from the state in two years to win the crown.
“We had over 300 people come from Oklahoma to support me,” Nelson, 20, said during her first news conference Monday as Miss America. “We have an amazing support group in Oklahoma.”
The last time a state won back-to-back titles was in 1960, when Mississippi’s Mary Ann Mobley crowned Lynda Mead as Miss America.
Nelson said she won’t hesitate to ask for pointers from last year’s winner, Jennifer Berry.
“Her phone number will be on speed dial,” said Nelson, a friend of Berry, who was the first Miss America chosen after the pageant moved to Las Vegas from its longtime home in Atlantic City, N.J.
Nelson said her knees buckled when she realized she had won the pageant.
“It’s so surreal that I have the Miss America crown on my head.”
But Nelson didn’t doubt that she could go all the way.
“You have to believe in yourself,” she said.
Nelson’s crowning makes her the sixth Miss America from Oklahoma. The state ties Ohio and California for the most pageant winners.
Shilah Phillips, the first black Miss Texas, was first runner-up, and Miss Georgia Amanda Kozak was second runner-up. Phillips, an aspiring recording artist, received a $25,000 scholarship. Kozak, who wants to be an elementary school principal, received a $15,000 award. Miss Mississippi Taryn Foshee and Miss Alabama Melinda Toole rounded out the top five. Viewers named Toole Miss Congeniality.
Nelson is a student at the University of Central Oklahoma and wants to obtain a master’s degree in musical theater. She sang “You’ll Be In My Heart” in the talent competition. She plans to promote protecting children online during her yearlong reign as Miss America.
The title earned her a $50,000 scholarship, and she stands to make thousands more in appearance fees. She was scheduled to appear Wednesday on “Good Morning America” and “Regis & Kelly.”
Nelson began singing in the church choir when she was a young girl. Over the years, she acted in musicals such as “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Anything Goes.” She was named Miss Oklahoma State Fair before competing for the state title. She also held the title of Miss Teen Oklahoma 2004.
Mario Lopez, of “Dancing with the Stars” and “Saved by the Bell,” hosted the pageant show broadcast on Country Music Television, and introduced it as America’s oldest reality TV show.
Afterward, he handed Nelson a single red rose and congratulated her. Pageant officials also presented her with a black fur coat, a signature watch and designer jewelry.
Last year’s move to the Aladdin Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip was one of several attempts to breathe new life into an institution that had fallen far from the forefront of American pop culture.
Although previous experiments with reality gimmicks fell flat, this year’s show included viewer voting and increased participation from the panel of celebrity judges, which includes MSNBC talk show host Chris Matthews.
Nelson may have pleased the judges, but she wasn’t the viewers’ favorite, according to a text message voting system instituted this year.
Phillips, a singer and choir director’s daughter, was the fan favorite in the talent competition. Miss California Jacquelynne Fontaine was the viewers’ pick for her turn in a blue bikini, and Foshee was named the favorite in the evening gown contest.
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On the Net:
http://www.missamerica.org
http://www.cmt.com
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Another Oklahoman wins Miss America crown
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