This year’s competition includes the first openly gay contestant, Miss Missouri Erin O’Flaherty. The event was broadcast by ABC in the United States, the first in the network’s newest agreement to carry the pageant until 2019, with Dick Clark Production producing the ceremony. Shields is just the third Miss America to hail from Arkansas since the pageant began in 1921.
Advertisement
Last week, Shoenekase was announced as a victor of the Miss America STEM Scholarship Award, first-runner-up of the Jean Bartel Quality of Life Scholarship Award, and third-place in the Miracle Maker Award for raising the third highest amount for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The first runner up was Miss South Carolina Rachel Wyatt, while the second runner up was Miss New York Camille Sims.
Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian played on his name and that of the new Miss America in promoting his city.
Afterwards, the night’s celebrity judges including Mark Cuban, Gabby Douglas and Ciara praised Shields and congratulated her on her win. “When I was navigating the grieving process, I realized that there were warning signs and risk factors that were there that I completely missed”, O’Flaherty said.
According to reports, Shields is dating a man named Nate Wolf.
That’s part of the reason she chose her “Eat Better, Live Better” Miss America platform.
Skidmore, who is 21, is from Calico Rock and is a senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in broadcast journalism.
She came out as a lesbian to her family when she was a teenager and says they have been supportive.
Her response to her onstage interview question helped propel Shields to the title. “I really think we’re in a state now where both parties seem to just be yelling at each other”.
Sunday’s finale was held on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Advertisement
“This is such an iconic moment, the toe dip in Atlantic City that every Miss America does”, she said. Numerous contestants noted the solemn anniversary, professed strong support for America’s armed forces and struck patriotic themes.
