TV Guide did a cover story on the 4th runner-up (Miss Texas) on 9/4/82 titled "Almost Miss America." The computer had picked her to win. Elizabeth later posed for Playboy magazine and was featured on the cover.
When Miss Illinois is named as first runner up, she stood there, looked stunned and completely shocked, and with her expression, I was certain she was about to walk off the stage and keep on walking until she reached the Illinois state line...
I saw her at some MA function a few years later and was surprised at how beautiful she was. I'm thinking that her prep for Miss America did her no favors. JMO.
I have never understood why Elizabeth Ward has never been proud of her win. She ha s completely shunned her win or miss America pageant. I was there when she won Miss Arkansas. We were all so proud of her and watched her win Miss America. That helped her get her start as so many of these talented fine women have done.
nancy angel You are so right, that coral-colored gown went perfectly with her features and coloring and she was STUNNING in it. Maybe the best Miss America gown ever.
Do you have the opening number/parade of states the year Tara Dawn Holland won in 1996? If so, can you upload it? Remembered they had a magician bring the girls out on stage and thought that was amazing.
wow, IMHO, I have the videotapes of every year's opening and that ranks for me as one of the worst ever; i don't know, maybe just me, but a magician doing the Parade of states seemed so odd. That year also had the finals night swimsuit competition fiasco involving a double prelim winner (Hawaii). I liked the 75th anniversary opening/parade of states, and the one when they involved Tommy Tunes revival of Grease in the opening number.
Ron "Tarzan" Ely sure couldn't sing. Bert Parks used to belt it out. Vanessa Williams posed nude before her crowning, Elizabeth Ward afterward. Timing is everything...
TV Guide did a cover story on the 4th runner-up (Miss Texas) on 9/4/82 titled "Almost Miss America." The computer had picked her to win. Elizabeth later posed for Playboy magazine and was featured on the cover.
This very proud brown eyed brunette beauty Elizabeth Ward deserves to be Miss America, she is a super gorgeous lady!!
Ron Ely passed away on September 29, 2024, at the age of 86. He was the first actor to play Tarzan on tv in 1966.
I was in the audience at this particular pageant and so glad you finally posted it, Elizabeth looked fabulous in that Coral Evening gown.
When Miss Illinois is named as first runner up, she stood there, looked stunned and completely shocked, and with her expression, I was certain she was about to walk off the stage and keep on walking until she reached the Illinois state line...
I saw her at some MA function a few years later and was surprised at how beautiful she was. I'm thinking that her prep for Miss America did her no favors. JMO.
I thought she was kind of weird looking
BOTH Miss America and Miss USA came from Arkansas in 1982!
Did Bill screw them both!?
In the end, there can be only one
Aired on NBC Saturday, September 12, 1981.
Isn't she Elizabeth Gracen (Amanda, the inmortal who is Duncan MacLeod's girlfriend in the TV Series Highlander)?
Yes
I have never understood why Elizabeth Ward has never been proud of her win. She ha s completely shunned her win or miss America pageant. I was there when she won Miss Arkansas. We were all so proud of her and watched her win Miss America. That helped her get her start as so many of these talented fine women have done.
Lyn Bootsie No doubt she stood out from the other contestants that night, the woman truly had great presence
I agree, she was simply regal in her dress! Such a classy young lady. I was so proud of her.
nancy angel You are so right, that coral-colored gown went perfectly with her features and coloring and she was STUNNING in it. Maybe the best Miss America gown ever.
Do you have the opening number/parade of states the year Tara Dawn Holland won in 1996? If so, can you upload it? Remembered they had a magician bring the girls out on stage and thought that was amazing.
wow, IMHO, I have the videotapes of every year's opening and that ranks for me as one of the worst ever; i don't know, maybe just me, but a magician doing the Parade of states seemed so odd. That year also had the finals night swimsuit competition fiasco involving a double prelim winner (Hawaii). I liked the 75th anniversary opening/parade of states, and the one when they involved Tommy Tunes revival of Grease in the opening number.
Miss Illinois looked shocked and pissed.
Yes, my cousin was supposed to win but another girl must have performed backstage!
Is it just me or do these contestants look old? Like they are in their thirties? Apparently they’re supposed to be in their early 20s.
It's the hairstyles, makeup, and dresses I think. Mostly the hairstyles. Elizabeth Ward was 20 here
Miss Illinois looks older I looked at her Stats on Miss Illinois page and she was 25 here Sandra Trueitt .
Crystal Evans should have won! She was HOT! HOT! HOT!
Ron "Tarzan" Ely sure couldn't sing. Bert Parks used to belt it out. Vanessa Williams posed nude before her crowning, Elizabeth Ward afterward. Timing is everything...
I thought Gary Collins was worse at singing to be honest.
I met her in a supermarket in Newark, CA signing autographs. She was not very nice. Looked like she would rather be anywhere else.
She was disappointed that Donald Trump was not the owner of the pageant that year. Therefore winning didn’t really mean that much
Donald Trump never owned the America Pageant System only had a part in the USA and Universe.