You know how sometimes characters in movies will decide that they want to pursue something with their whole heart? So they’ll resolve to be the very best gymnast or lawyer or inventor or football player that the world has ever seen? And then the audience will see a minute-long montage of their progress, starting with the first grueling days of training, then cutting to a point where they become pretty competent but are still easily frustrated, then cutting to a moment where they’re gaining some confidence (complete with a slow grin that lets the audience know YES! I’M DOING THIS!), then cutting to a moment where they realize HEY! I AM TOTALLY A CONTENDER NOW! I MADE IT!, then cutting to a scene where they’re waiting in the wings for the big gymnastics meet / mock trial / robotics contest / National Championship game?
You know how they do that in movies?
Well, I would really like to see one of those montages for a singing ventriloquist who’s preparing for the Miss America pageant.
The end.
Oh my. I will never, ever forget this. It has been permanently embedded in my conscious for so many years. I was fascinated, and thrilled and at the same time in awe. Bless you for reminding me again!
I was 11 in 1988 and I remember this talent segment like it was yesterday.
That girl is something! Where is she now? Let’s send her to Washington to straighten out that place!
I totally remember this too! I have never seen anything like it before or since. She was amazing! She should have won on this alone. Thanks for sharing!
Me, too! How does someone decide that they want to learn how to do this? I’d love to see that epiphany on video.
you crack me up
duh..i think ive told ya that a time or 1230!!
If I remember correctly, she was first runner up. Who won that year? Kaye Lani Rae Rafko maybe?
I think so. I remember watching this pageant … my roommates and I always made an Event of it.
Wow…
Oh wow. Now that is AHMAZING. I actually think I remember seeing this in my youth. I cannot BELIEVE anyone was more deserving of the crown that year.
That. Is. MAGNIFICENT. I was prepared to laugh, but instead I was MESMERIZED.
Thank you for finding this and posting it. I was home from college that weekend to take my drivers’ license test (I was late to driving) and remember watching that with my mom, who was quite the Miss A fan. I totally remember watching this with her and it was a great memory.
Please pray for Tripp and his sweet mama as she prepares to say goodbye to her beautiful brave boy. Pray for peace and no more pain. Xo
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That’s my favorite part of the movie! I like to call it the “A Team” moment. The plan is coming together. Maybe if you made a documentary of beauty pageant talents. . .just thinking. . .
Solid Gold.
Lady Ga-Ga eat your heart out. Internet gold!!!
I. AM. AMAZED AT THIS! What talent…Makes me proud to be a Louisiana-ian!
Oh my, I used to watch the pageants with my mom and she would call my grandma after certain pageant moments (this being one of them). I don’t think they do talent like they use to :) I loved those nights with the women…….I don’t know why my grandma didn’t just come over but it seemed so much more fun to be glued to the phone the entire time for some reason. To be going for the phone at the same exact moment that it would start ringing :)
I mean. I don’t know. I’m just speechless.
I think she should get a talent award for that hair. I would have given my boombox for the height on that hair.
And then those puppets attacked her.
All of these posts need to be on National News. You rock, Sophie.
I was 8. I SO remember this. And then I got to meet her & had an autographed pic of her in my room for years. The. End.
This was the first pageant that I really remember watching from start to finish. Does any one else remember the pageant book you could order that featured pics and info about all of the contestants. My mom would order one every year and we would pour over that thing and know all the contestants by heart before they even hit the runway.
This is also the first pageant where I came to the realization that the best contestant rarely wins (there are few exceptions to this rule-see Heather Whitehead). Louisiana’s ventriloquist act WAS TOTALLY BETTER than the hula girl and her poi balls (not a euphemism). I hated Kaye Lani Raye Rafko and her Hawaianness as much as a young 8 year old could hate someone that she didn’t know at all. I know now that she is a truly lovely woman, but I still harbor some bitterness that the ventriloquist didn’t win. Thank you for recognizing TRUE TALENT on your blog!