Well, I am just as tickled as I can be about tonight’s big event. I’ll continue to update this same post throughout the pageant, so just be aware that between the updates and everyone’s comments, we’re all going to have to refresh our browsers in order to keep up with the conversation. I’ve changed my comment settings so that we can have more comments on the main page, so hopefully that will help.
I know that it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: let’s absolutely embrace the fun of the pageant – but without being mean-spirited. Because I’m pretty sure that we would all be about sixteen kinds of mortified if some contestant (or, heaven forbid, her MAMA) accidentally ran across this post and felt like we’d been unkind. So let’s have a blast and laugh like crazy and start a slow clap during talent and take a moment to marvel at how many squats and lunges are represented on that stage during the swimsuit competition.
I’m fairly certain that I will experience significant ab envy during that swimsuit competition.
All righty – see y’all in just a little bit. Thanks so much for being here!
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By the way, some folks on Twitter were just talking about what their Miss America talent would be. Mine would either be cooking bacon (also: eating bacon) or answering Real Housewives trivia questions. SKILLS. I got ’em.
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One more thing. A few days ago my friend Heather informed me that one of the girls in the pageant is an artistic rollerskater. I have very humbly asked the Lord to give her favor. SO THAT WE CAN SEE IT.
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Well, it should start off with the National Anthem. IT’S BETTER THAN A FOOTBALL GAME.
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I adore a Parade of States. Especially when girls are pretending to dance in a carefree fashion in the background.
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WELL PLAYED, MISS ARKANSAS.
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Very sweet, Miss Connecticut. So sensitive and appropriate.
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I AM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW.
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Oh. The puns are so delightful.
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CAREFREE. DANCING. CAREFREE! DANCING!
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Y’all, do you think they were dancing without music? Seriously.
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I love Miss North Carolina’s red hair.
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I like Miss South Carolina – “y’all are the ones with the accent.” She’s my new BFF.
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Miss Virginia has one of my favorite names: Rosemary. Love it.
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Oh, the dancing is so delightful.
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Semi-finalists: Miss Montana (AND WE’RE GETTING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE VOTING?!?!!?) (AND A SHOCKING TWIST), Miss Texas (I AM UNCOMFORTABLE WITH ANY MENTION OF “SEXINESS”), Miss Utah, Miss Oklahoma (WE HAVE A TAP DANCER), Miss Wyoming, Miss South Carolina (LOVE HER), Miss Tennessee, Miss Alabama (OH YES MA’AM!!!!!), Miss Maryland, Miss Illinois, Miss Indiana (I BELIEVE SHE TWIRLS THE BATON), Miss New York, Miss Florida, Miss Kentucky, Miss Iowa, and IN A SPECIAL SURPRISE SELECTION, Miss Washington
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My friend Amie Beth’s faves so far: South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Wyoming
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Swimsuit is next…I will pause from my commentary for a brief season of humbling.
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Miss Alabama’s quads have convinced me that I need not ever show my legs in public again.
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I am intrigued by Miss Wyoming’s decision to go with the big necklace. She’s so gorgeous that I don’t think she needed the bling.
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If Mariah Cary sings “Vison of Love” for a talent, my life will be complete.
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I really, really like Miss SC and Miss Wyoming (love Miss Alabama, of course).
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AMWAY CHANGING TENT = GOLD
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Finalists: Miss Washington, Miss Maryland, Miss Texas, Miss Alabama (GIDDY UP), Miss New York, Miss South Carolina, Miss Indiana (BATON TWIRLER), Miss Tennessee, Miss Oklahoma, Miss Wyoming (the necklace worked), Miss Illinois, Miss Iowa
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This Skechers commercial just made my whole life.
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Okay. Favorites so far? I think Miss Illinois is gorgeous. Still holding on to SC, Alabama, and Wyoming. What about y’all?
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I love that Miss Texas thinks that one of her best features is her back. I haven’t seen my back since 2004.
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I’m a fan of Miss New York’s dress and earrings.
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Miss Tennessee is stunning.
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Miss Illinois said she believed she’d wear a train.
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TEN PERFORMANCES – they added two!
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I just said “COME ON” out loud to my TV. Is anyone else thinking of Suzanne Sugarbaker?
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I clapped for that one. Spectacular.
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I have received approximately seven texts in the last 30 seconds.
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Interpretative ballet *and* Journey? Be still, my heart.
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Tap dances delight me. And oh, MISS OKLAHOMA HAS SKILLS.
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It wouldn’t be a pageant without a song from Les Mis.
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Well, I am captivated by Miss New York’s tap dance routine. Bringing a little sass (and soul) to the festivities.
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Well Miss South Carolina’s talent is delightful.
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Y’all, we have an abundance of tap dancing blessings tonight. I believe the Lord has given the Miss America pageant His favor.
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That was undoubtedly one of the finest talent competitions of my lifetime.
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I feel like this pageant has just FLOWN by.
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The judges got the Top 5 right, I think.
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AB thinks that Wyoming or SC will win. I think it’s Wyoming or NY. SC’s judge didn’t seem to like her answer.
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4th runner-up – Miss Iowa
3rd runner-up – Miss Wyoming
2nd runner-up – Miss Oklahoma
1st runner-up – Miss South Carolina (awwww – I am sad for her – she is darlin’)
Miss America 2013 – Miss New York (she’s originally from Alabama – yay!)
Well, y’all – that was just the most fun. And I think it was a great pageant! It was fast-paced, fun, and we got to see ten talents again.
Can’t wait to do this again next year!
I’m going with the blog majority. Miss SC stands out. Her personality is obvious which is difficult to do through a camera lens. She’s real and she’s got the “it” factor.
Kentucky, Texas and Oklahoma should also do well.
I’m eating Cheetos Puffs and drinking a coke…certainly appropriate for the swimwear competition.
I don’t think she really wants me to go to catalinaswim.com to get one of those swimsuits for myself! She doesn’t know what she’s asking for!
Ugh. Excuse me while inhale my spaghetti and meatballs that were just delivered to my house.
Oh, dear. Why are we having a shot of each little tail end? The swimsuit competition has certainly …..evolved….
what is up with the giant necklace?
I wondered the same thing.
i was wondering if she had something she was trying to cover up…
Feeling like I ate too much pizza today!
The tushie shots are making me uncomfortable. Anyone else?
what was up with the giant necklace?
Is it bad that I sit here watching them strut their very tiny stuff around while I eat peach ice cream? No shame.
The tushie close-ups are making me very uncomfortable.
Agreed.
I would rather walk on hot coals while swallowing glass than wear a bathing suit on national TV. Bravo ladies!
My 7 year old just walked in and said that he thinks these girls would be more beautifuller if they had more clothes on. Out of the mouths of babes…
Love that. My friend AB’s son said that they’re too skinny. Clearly WE LOVE HIM FOREVER.
Not really a fan of the extreme booty close-ups.
Does anyone Do a double take when they say Mariah Carey?
I don’t know if it is just this suit or if these ladies are just closer to being real women, but some of these girls look like they actually have hips! They still look amazing are probably a size 00, but at least they look more real as opposed to the other national pageant which will not be named!
Agreed!!!!
my early favorites are SC and Utah…
Not a fan of the bottom shots..
Not a hint of cellulite. Oh, wait – that’s because I HAVE ALL OF IT.
I just, literally, LOL’ed. Thank you.
Mariah Cary…I giggle every time they say it
I feel the sudden urge for a spray tan.
I have decided to do ab exercises during commercials now.
I think I’d rather just spray tan on some ab definition. :)
I agree that the big necklace didnt fit with swimsuit for Miss Wyoming but she’s still one of my top picks
My husband has informed me that Miss Florida is a football sideline reporter for FoxSports in Florida.
He has also made me swear to let you know that he did not research this. It crossed his Twitter feed. Sure, right. Guess I know who he’s for!
While we have our commercial break, just have to tell ya, if you’re looking for a college for yourself or your kids, Clemson (Miss SC’s school) was the best experience ever for my daughter! Tons of Christian kids (they have the largest FCA of any university in the country.)
PS – Betsy (my daughter) is telling me on IM that Miss SC is as wonderful as she is cute.
tap dancing
After seeing those tiny bathing suits (??), I think I hear the sound of Bess Myerson rolling over in her grave. (This is a comment for the older “girls” watching)
By the way, I like Miss South Carolina!
We’ve just lost Miss Montana and her comedic monologue :(
Miss IL and Miss IOhave sizable buns on those cute heads!
Yay Miss Texas!! She is a really sweet girl, a friend of my sister. All of these ladies seem great, though, so there isn’t a bad choice in the group!
Am I the only one who feels bad for the girls who didn’t make it to the round of 16 who are forced to sit behind Chris Harrison and smile like they’re not pissed to have not even made it out of the chute?!
Agreed!
Bread’s in the oven. So, is Amway a sponsor?
Lot of screaming at this Decatur, AL house for Miss Alabama!!!
Go Anna Laura!!!
gotta love product placement.
I’m not a fan of this Sketchers commercial they made the girls do. Not a fan at all.
Oooh! A Skechers skit!
Ok ladies, I’m hoping to see some color in these dresses! No black!
Looking forward to seeing the girls’ choices of evening gowns. My favorite!
Um, I had a pair of Skechers Go Walks 15 years ago – they were called WalMart Pool Shoes then!
Hahaha. Thank you for this. Perfection.
I think everyone’s talent should be that they can change from a swim suit to a talent outfit in less than 60 seconds. BAM. Winners, all of them.
Yes!
Boo Mama, you’re absolutely correct. This is going to come down to SC and Wyoming. Both are precious, but I am going to have to pull for SC. This is SO FUN!! Talent is coming up!
“Skechers Go Walks are so energizing!”
Maybe they will send me some because I am out of energy after the ab work I did during the swimsuit competition. Now going to work biceps, lifting chips and dip to my mouth.
Does anyone else think it’s the tiniest bit mean to put 15 in swimsuits and THEN pick the top ten?
Hey, Mare!!! Glad to be watching with you. :). YES. HOW AWFUL.
So I would just like to interject a huge YAY! For halftime of the 49er’s v Packers game since we only have one TV in this house!
So glad that TINY part is over…now on to evening gowns!!!
SOUTH CAROLINA ISN’T IS THE “SECRET” TOP 5!?!?!?!
I’m crossing my fingers that we’ll have a dramatic monologue for talent. That would make my year!
That’s a lot of sparkle, Texas, even for Miss America!
I see RIBS. I think I used to have those.
Love the cap sleeves on Ms. Alabama’s dress
Wasn’t it lovely?! I thought it was so different and classy.
Precisely. VERY classy!
I like her, she has curves, and confidence.
Texas – stunning gown!
What is up with all the white? Very bridal-y.
Love, love, love Miss NY’s dress.
Me too! She looked beautiful.
I live Texas and OK but I think South Carolina is a shoe in!
My brother saw one of the girls and said “oh, there’s too much going on there.” Well, then. I can officially say I’ve taught him well. :)
Miss Tennessee favorite dress so far.
yes!
Miss SC’s dress…where’s Scarlet and her drapes when we need her?
Finally a red one!
My mom just called to tell me that she grew up with Miss Alabama’s mom! Her granddad was their vet. Hello, small world.
Illinois – wow! brave girl!
Miss Illinois is channeling Jessica Rabbit. Not gonna lie, I kinda love it.
Miss Illinois’s is beautiful too!!
Just say no to Jessica Rabbit.
Oklahoma in the silver/grey was outstanding! She wins evening gown in my judges book! Followed by Texas in a close second.
Yes! I agree!
Dresses I love: Washington, Alabama, New York, Oklahoma (my FAVORITE! Loved the gray!), Illinois (loved the ruffled train and the color!)
I have to say that my girl, Miss Texas, showed a little too much skin for my liking, but it was pretty cute and sparkly.
A lot of white. They all seemed so poised and sweet. A hard choice for the judges.
I like the gray too! She could pull that color off. Very pretty.
Miss Illinois. WOW. Brave girl. I’d have tripped all over that stage 7 times.
Ms. Illinois is stunning but the dress…..
Ms. New Yorks dress stunning
Aw. Kward. Product Placement!!! (I’m looking at you, Brooke)
agreed
They need to stop with the awkward commercials to end each segment. Just sell another commercial.
I’m going to do my next workout in 6″ heals!!
Miss Alabama has my favorite dress. The gold looks so pretty with her hair color.
Yes, I loved it!
I just want to know how on earth they are walking in long dresses and humongeous heels? I would have fallen flat on my face with the first step! I don’t believe any of them are wearing TOMS! Mercy! They are all beautiful!
Oklahoma always seems to do well. Loved the simplicity of NY. And SC just stands out.
I really liked Miss Washington’s gown. It was simple and classic. My favorites are Washington, Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Illinois.
“With a little Jenny From the Block” Priceless!
I want to see them all lined up to compare the gowns. I need time, people!!!
Yes, need an instant replay!
Yes please! Agree with you – I need time to compare them!
Oh no! Not this again where the girls don’t know if they made the talent round until their name is called. I don’t like this at all!
Time for TALENT! Yes.
Ohhh, a tap shoe broke! Eeek.
Talent competition, I am so excited. Oh no, a tap has broken!
TALENT! TALENT! TALENT!
Oh no!!! A Tap shoe break!!!!
BATONS!!!
YES! A BATON ROUTINE!!!!
Yay for a twirling Miss Texas!!!
That just screams quintessential Miss America.
And she is just precious (a friend of my sister) and would make a fantastic Miss America.
BATONS! (and she’s not even Miss Indiana!)
Oh, the very best part has arrived. TALENT.
Here we go….baton to disco!
Batons!!!!! Donna Summer!!!
Baton twirling to Donna Summer?! This makes my night!
Light those batons!!!!
BATON TWIRLING AND DONNA SUMMER. YES YES YES YES.
Tap shoe breaks!!! Horrors
twirling so cute!
Four batons and Donna Summer. FOUR BATONS.
Adele. Gutsy, Tennessee.
Three batons!!! I am beside myself….
My WORD at the juggling, spinning and twirling at the same time!! Adorable!
And Miss TN, the last time I saw a mint green dress was at my PROM in 1977! The memories.
I wore a mint green dress to the pref parties in 1977
Questionable song choice? Beautiful dress!
Agree
I just did that 3 baton thing in my living room. Only I used some wooden spoons. And I think I pulled a hammy.
I just fell off the couch laughing at that comment, Kristi!
Hilarious!!! I was going to say I did the splits and pulled something, but I’m not even sure what that would pull.
Go Texas! Did anyone tell Miss Tennessee she could do something other than sing?
Not sure singing an Adele song is a good idea for anyone other than Adele.
True.
agree
Truth (and please share that with the American Idol contestants before the season starts)
Agree, besides the added expectation being from TN makes it worse
Bring back the batons!