Shields topped a field of 52 contestants to win the crown and the title of Miss America 2017 Sunday night in Atlantic City.
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Among the 52 representatives of the 50 USA states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, contestants from Michigan, Washington D.C., Arkansas, Maryland, Ohio and Tennessee were all poised for advantage at Sunday’s finale, having prevailed at preliminary judging in categories such as talent and fitness. She performed the same jazz number on Sunday night that won her that competition.
Neither did Miss Michigan Arianna Quan, who made headlines earlier this week when she spoke out against critics who said she was too “ugly” to be in the competition.
The second runner-up was Miss New York Camille Sims.
The first runner-up in the competition was Miss South Carolina Rachel Wyatt who earned a $25,000 scholarship. Miss Kentucky Laura Katherine Jones was the victor of “America’s Choice”, an online competition where viewers were given the opportunity to vote for their favorite Miss America contestant entirely on social media.
She answered a question about democratic nominee for president Hillary Clinton during the Q&A portion of the event.
When Camille Sims was asked her opinion on presidential candidate Donald Trump by the judge Laura Marano, her answer couldn’t have been more ideal.
Shields, who succeeded the 2016 Miss America victor, Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell, had some stiff competition at this year’s pageant.
Savvy will now start her year of duties as titleholder, including embarking on a national speaking tour.
But as long as Shields actually holds on to her crown for a year, she can consider her reign a success.
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Chris Harrison of the “Bachelor” fame and Sage Steele were the hosts for the evening that saw 15 semifinalists being chosen to move on to the swimsuit round, after which the top 12 competed in the evening gown segment. The judges panel included celebrities like singer Ciara, actress Sara Foster, entrepreneur Mark Cuban, singer-songwriter Cole Swindell, Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, former Miss America 1985 Sharlene Wells Hawkes, and last but not least, Disney star Laura Marano.
