All eyes are on Atlantic City this weekend for the Miss America Pageant, which returns to ‘America’s Favorite Playground’ for the first time in six years, after suffering a decline in prestige in Las Vegas.
“It’s going to be a loving tribute to Atlantic City and also a hip, relevant look at Miss America from music choices through to the presentation,” pageant Chairman and CEO Sam Haskell told Entertainment Weekly, “We’re bringing the runway back, which we lost going to Las Vegas, as part of an elite production number. The girls will model their swimsuits and gowns on the runway.”
The Bachelor‘s Chris Harrison and Good Morning America‘s Lara Spencer will be this year’s hosts, while former ‘N Sync singer Lance Bass, New York Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire, violinist Joshua Bell, comedian Mario Cantone, Shark Tank‘s Barbara Corcoran, The Chew‘s Carla Hall, and former Miss America Deidre Downs Gunn will serve as judges.
Fifty-three contestants representing the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, will converge on Atlantic City to compete for the Miss America 2014 title. The winner will be crowned after the final round of judging on Sunday.
Following the traditional pageant format, the women will compete in talent, community service, swimsuit, and evening gown competition categories.
Tune in to ABC to watch The Miss America Pageant which will be broadcast live on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 9 pm/ 8c.
