Rich Helfant, executive director of the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance, helps run the Miss’d America pageant, a drag spoof of the Miss America pageant that has become popular in Atlantic City as an entertainment and fundraising event.
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52 women are vying for the glittering crown and day one of the preliminary stages certainly started with a bang as lovely ladies donned their finest bikinis and showed off their talents.
Miss Rhode Island stood out with a Bollywood-inspired dance, where she wore a face mask.
“From the state that gave you your first phone exchange – America, can you hear me now?” asked Miss Connecticut Alyssa Rae Taglia.
Miss Rhode Island, Shruti Nagarajan Check out those legs!
Grace Burgess is the preliminary talent victor at the competition in Boardwalk Hall at Atlantic City, New Jersey.
On Tuesday night, Miss District of Columbia Cierra Jackson won the preliminary swimsuit competition, while Miss Tennessee Grace Burgess won the talent portion by singing The Eagles’ “Desperado”.
“Miss America contestants continue to be the best and brightest in the country, and we proudly support each and every young woman who competes in our national program”, he said.
But it wasn’t all quips: Each contestant also offered up a deeper cause that they hoped to promote if they were declared Miss America.
“From the Mile High state, home of the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, I’m here to keep the winning streak going!” said Miss Colorado Shannon Patilla.
‘Whether it’s baked, mashed or fried, I’m one hot potato!’ boasted Miss Idaho, Kylee Solberg.
Miss Mississippi Laura Lee Lewis sang “A Piece Of the Sky” from “Yentl”, and Miss Colorado Shannon Patilla sang “Something’s Got A Hold On Me”.
Supporting the military, helping children and seniors figured prominently in the onstage interviews some of the contestants gave.
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Miss Michigan, Arianna Quan, spoke about immigration and helping people show pride in their heritage.
