Las Vegas Weekly

November 18, 2008 · 2:32 PM

TLC viewers will get to vote four women onto 2009 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood

By Robin Leach

Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund -- she's the particularly happy contestant, second from right -- shows the effects of "that moment," winning the 2008 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood.

Photo: Scott Doctor

It all starts with 52 wonderful women, but only one winds up as Miss America. This time around, I can reveal, for the first time ever TV viewers will have a real say in who gets the crown and the title!

It all begins with the new Countdown to the Crown reality show starting Jan. 2. The pageant’s state winners, including our new Miss Nevada (click HERE for our past photo feature), have just wrapped filming the new, four-week series.

Last year, TLC and Miss America gave the pageant contestants a reality check and showed what it really takes to win the ultimate dream of becoming Miss America. This year, the stakes are even higher -- a chance to win one of four open spots in the pageant’s coveted Top 15 final grouping. Viewers will watch the 52 state titleholders living together and facing a series of competitions in The Learning Channel’s countdown.

Photo: Tom Donoghue

Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund was crowned at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Each one-hour episode, hosted by Tyler Harcott, shows the contestants living on the majestic Queen Mary ocean liner in Long Beach near Los Angeles. They will navigate a series of team and individual competitions that help them prepare for the Jan. 24 live pageant here at Planet Hollywood. They have to prove they have what it takes to be a modern-day Miss America and, as viewers at home get to know the girls, they will ultimately vote four contestants into the top tier of the pageant.

“Miss America continues to evolve to reflect today’s young woman and remains incredibly forward-thinking as it develops a new generation of intelligent, thoughtful and passionate contestants,” said Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization.

Two consultants, Kym Douglas and Anthony Mark Hankins, will guide the women through their reality series challenges and experiences, helping decide who is best prepared to become 2009’s Miss America. Of those 52, just 15 will win a gold sash that could put four of them into the final live-telecast 15. Viewer voting online and via text messaging will begin when the 15 gold-sash finalists are selected on the series.

“For the first time ever, America has the chance to be a judge and select four of the contestants they think deserve to make it into the pageant,” said Brent Zacky, VP of development at TLC. “By giving viewers the chance to get to know the girls during the crown countdown, we are confident four great contestants will take the stage in January to compete for the Miss America title.”

Photo: Las Vegas Sun

Jennifer Berry, in full flourish after winning the 2006 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood's Theatre for the Performing Arts.

We got an exclusive peek at the reality format breakdown:

*Episode 1: airs Jan. 2, 2009, at 10 p.m. with guest consultant Gretchen Carlson, Miss America 1989, and host on Fox’s Fox and Friends. Team Challenge: Quest for the Crown, a scavenger-style race through the ship. Individual Challenge: Pitch Perfect. The table’s set to determine the girls’ ability to remain composed, form an argument and listen as well as she speaks.

*Episode 2: premieres Jan. 9, 2009, at 10 p.m. with guest consultant supermodel Shakara Ledard. Team Challenge: Fitness First Obstacle Course. The teams face off in a fun endurance race to the end. Individual Challenge: Runway Photo Shoot. Which girl has mastered her poise and confidence on the runway?

*Episode 3: premieres Jan. 16, 2009, at 10 p.m. with guest consultant Clinton Kelly from TLC’s What Not to Wear. Clinton also will reprise his role this January as special correspondent for the live Miss America pageant. Team Challenge: Miss American Shopper. Will it be retail rivalry when each team has to share one shopping budget? Individual Challenge: Little Black Dress returns with a fashion-forward eye on personal style and resourcefulness.

*Episode 4: premieres Jan. 23, 2009, at 10 p.m. with guest consultant Susan Powell, Miss America 1981. Team Challenge: Miss America’s Got Talent. It’s a talent showdown as the teams perfect a routine and compete against each other. Individual Challenge: Rock the Runway, where all of the planning pays off in their final chance to secure a sash.

Share This