Debra Maffett did everything perfectly that year. Hair and makeup impeccable. SS was great, gown was great. Her arrangement of that song was excellent. And it paid off.
i scored her very high in ss, good but not great in talent but that gown i HATED! every other contestant had on beaded fringe and seed pearls. sparkling and shining and she has a drab off white with the biggest poofiest princess sleeves, which i HATE whoever's wearing, i've ever seen! not a great gown to me but thats just my opinion. i'm no fashioneasta. my spelling sucks.
Debbie’s evening gown was riff on Princess Diana’s wedding dress without the train. Both had bi poofy sleeves and scoop necks with lots of ruffles. Princess Di’s dress of course was a ball gown and Debbie’s tapered but from the waist up it hit all the right notes. Plus, wearing all that white took years off her age. One of the oldest Miss America’s ever crowned but she looked younger and fresher than most of the other finalists. Smart move color wise.
she is one of the two most beautiful miss americas ever. phyllis george being the other. again my opinion. my fave ma is sharlene wells so just talking about physical beauty.
My two favorites were Miss Georgia and Miss California. All the Ladie were stunning in the top 10 . The Evening gown competition has always been my favorite followed by Talent in the Miss America pageants. The Evening Gowns were really gorgeous this pageant!! Debra Sue Maffet was truly wonderful Miss America beautiful in every way . Her gown wasn’t sparkly like most of the others in top 10. But it wasn’t an over the top gown just the right amount of elegance for Miss America 1983!! I remember watching her win on Tv back then she was stunning!!👍👌💯💯😊😊⭐️⭐️💐💐🇨🇦🇨🇦
I just watched the pageant again, how in the world did Miss Missippipi NOT win after that performance, WOW!! HANDS DOWN THE BEST IN TALENT AMONGST THE TOP 5 !
If there was ever a year that I thought would be an upset, it was this year. Debi Maffett seemed unbeatable but I honestly thought Miss Georgia, Bobbi Eakes was going to take it. She was great.
She was remarkable. I agree. My cousin, Debbie was Miss Massachusetts the previous year, so my entire family was paying full attention this year, and we all thought that Bobbie would have at least been a runner-up. However, at this point in the game, the judges are number crunching, so any result was possible. But yes, Debra Maffett and Bobbie Eakes stood out.
Miss Tennessee was very attractive and poised. Debbie when competing for Miss Texas 3x had a more pronounced nose and then got some work done on it and tried her luck at Miss Calif. - smart move.
the one i really liked was Miss Arkansas,Mary Stuart doing that vocal Broadway dance routine while she sang "The Birth of the Blues" in that very fancy sequined black leotard with a perfect body cut!
Mary Stuart, Miss Arkansas, played "Frannie" for years on "As The World Turns". Bobbie Eakes, Miss Georgia, played "Macy" on "The Bold and the Beautiful".
Miss Tennessee sang the same song that Miss Mississippi, Cheryl Pruitt, sang. Miss Missippipi won Miss America that year as well. Tennessee should have picked another song, she could have won if she did. Miss Alabama was dang good. Miss Missippipi should have been 1st runner up tho, what a voice on her,best vocal in the top ten hands down.
When Miss Maffett returned the following year, who knew that she would be witness to history-the crowining of Vanessa Williams, MIss New York, the first African-American to be crowned MIss America?
Thank you for your effort to upload all of these pageants, it provides endless entertainment. Does anyone know any more about Gwendolyn Suzann Witten, Miss Kentucky? Miss Witten is just fascinating but I feel there is more to her story that would help us understand why her performance that evening was so lovely.
I remember picking Debbie Maffett after they announced the top 10- she just emoted and stood out among the others. I agree tho - I thought if it wasnt Debbie - it would surely be Bobbie Eakes.
Debi Maffett’s dress had the poofy Princess sleeves and ruffled neckline . Not a favorite of mine but remember this was September 1982 just a year after the late Princess Diana married the new King today back in 1981. Her dress at this time was considered over the top glameerous for the early 1980’s. Debbie Maffett looked good minus the sequins and frills.😊
Miss Georgia was so pretty. Boy did they screw up the on screen printed graphics as the top ten were announced. Miss West Virginia went on to be 1st runner-up at Miss USA 1984. Gary Collins was okay, but I found myself missing Bert Parks.
I think there is a certain look they go for. More "wholesome" beauty than "sexy" beauty. Miss Georgia has more Hollywood star type beauty and I think that was too much for Miss America back then.
Kudos to Elizabeth Ward Gracen for strategically and carefully placing the crown with two pins; perfectly on Debbie Maffett. Most winners have to put their hands up on the crown as it leans, wobbles or looks awkward - daring to fall off. Well, not this time!
@@janemariecox6547 LOL...True, but I believe Debbie was excited due to the history making moment. If you watch the crowning, Susan Powell is holding pins out to Debbie to take, but either Debbie didn't see her or the tv crew was gesturing for Vanessa to take her walk down the runaway....pageant memories lol.
@@SoutherbBelle But then I also still wonder to this day why Leanza never pinned the crown at all onto Kim Aiken. She ALMOST lost that crown halfway down her walk. At one point it looks like its fallen almost down to the ear on her left side . Almost from Kim walking, it had moved noticeably. How it got down so far on that side without her realizing she needed to do something about is fascinating to watch.
@@Parker528 I believe the crown had double sided tape so in this case Leanza wouldn't have to pin it on. While not a bad idea, the crown would and slip and slide on the head when placed on the winner. LOL. Watch a few of the Miss Texas pageants from the late 80s and early 90s. They used double sided tape for the crowning.
@@SoutherbBelle wow. I don't even know where to begin. I guess I will counter your suggestion that I watch those Texas pageants you are suggesting with reminding you that you might want to watch again every single year that the particular crown style Leanza placed on Kim's head (they have gone through maybe 4 changes since the 50's when the MAO started centrally organizing better, and every MA winner and all state winners present in AC all were to wear whatever was the current official pageant crown style). Go back and for now lets just say start with Kaye Lani in 88 and go up to Nicole Johnson in 99. EVERY single winner has that same current official crown style. Perhaps it may help you best to take particular note of the crownings for both Marjorie Vincent as well as her immediate predecessor Debbye Turner when she is also crowned. I have a hard time believing, even without me having held a state crown, that in all of the years I suggest to, ONLY Kim is not crowned. I am unaware of whether its possible, but if you go and watch the year Shirley Cothran crowns Tawny Godin as MA 76 in the 1975 pageant, that is the BEST example that demonstrates that short lived crown design (I think it was only around for MAYBE 4 years at the most). You'll see that in the years starting with Shirley crowning Tawny that Shirley places the crown on Tawny's very tightly pulled back head (as tight as Marjorie Vincent's hair in 91- who's different crown design required that Debbye reinforce it with several pins) and then Shirley's hand goes inside the crown and what she is doing is gently sliding from one end of the crown to the other side, and basically holds in a section of the hair so that the crown can be firmly anchored. I just called my friend who runs a preliminary to the Miss Delaware program and mentioned this discussion. (he's been involved going back 40 years so just several years AFTER that short lived crown that Tawny wore; the crown being used when he started is that one Debbie Maffet is crowned with by Elizabeth Ward). He mentioned that the MAO discontinued using that Tawny crown, if any state and local preliminaries had a surplus of the old crown they were permitted to use them only for that purpose until they ran out. He agreed with what was only a theory of mine that its possible that what you're referring to in Texas- which for the entire 1970's in particular was notorious as having upwards easily as much as 70-80 contestants every year at their state pageant, & so its very possible they more than likely had an enormous surplus, even into the early 90's. I asked about the possibility of a double sided tape feature INSIDE any of the MAO crowns. He said with certainty that never in all of his years with the MAO, whether during communication with other state and local pageant directors , or communications from the MAO or the MAO magazine of the use of double sided tape. He also mentioned this same thing to me that first came to my mind when I read your reply. My first thought was how you came to that conclusion about the tape inside the crown. And how on earth I could determine without any doubt watching the crowning on a youtube video that it had indeed double sided tape on the inside, unless your source of information when you made this claim was that either you learned about in watching one of those pageant years in Texas when that specific detail was mentioned on the telecast, or if you watched an interview on tv in which a person in the know about those years crowns in Texas was explaining that detail. Or maybe you read it somewhere. either way, its doesnt explain why then the pins were placed to reinforce the crowns on every other Miss america with that crown design before and after the year kim won. nor does it explain if it DID have this double sided tape, how it failed to activate for Kim but not anyone else.,
Debra Maffett did everything perfectly that year. Hair and makeup impeccable. SS was great, gown was great. Her arrangement of that song was excellent. And it paid off.
i scored her very high in ss, good but not great in talent but that gown i HATED! every other contestant had on beaded fringe and seed pearls. sparkling and shining and she has a drab off white with the biggest poofiest princess sleeves, which i HATE whoever's wearing, i've ever seen! not a great gown to me but thats just my opinion. i'm no fashioneasta. my spelling sucks.
Debbie’s evening gown was riff on Princess Diana’s wedding dress without the train. Both had bi poofy sleeves and scoop necks with lots of ruffles. Princess Di’s dress of course was a ball gown and Debbie’s tapered but from the waist up it hit all the right notes. Plus, wearing all that white took years off her age. One of the oldest Miss America’s ever crowned but she looked younger and fresher than most of the other finalists. Smart move color wise.
Debbie is actually the oldest Miss America at crowning, just days older than when Marjorie Vincent was crowned.
She had more then her nose done in California. Completely different contestant than the one that tried and tried in Texas to no avail.
Here's to the mother of all modern beauty pageants worldwide:I really,totally miss the classic Miss America as it used to be back in the day!♥️♥️♥️
Debbie Maffett did the perfect job of branding herself as a new sun-kissed Miss California, after nearly making it so many years in Texas.
Elizabeth Ward, the outgoing Miss America, was really a beautiful young woman with great presence. She went on to become an Actress in Hollywood.
she is one of the two most beautiful miss americas ever. phyllis george being the other. again my opinion. my fave ma is sharlene wells so just talking about physical beauty.
I would have like to had seen Miss Mississippi come in and won that. Talent hands down the best! Those liquid blue sequins were crazy!
My two favorites were Miss Georgia and Miss California. All the Ladie were stunning in the top 10 . The Evening gown competition has always been my favorite followed by Talent in the Miss America pageants. The Evening Gowns were really gorgeous this pageant!! Debra Sue Maffet was truly wonderful Miss America beautiful in every way . Her gown wasn’t sparkly like most of the others in top 10. But it wasn’t an over the top gown just the right amount of elegance for Miss America 1983!! I remember watching her win on Tv back then she was stunning!!👍👌💯💯😊😊⭐️⭐️💐💐🇨🇦🇨🇦
I just watched the pageant again, how in the world did Miss Missippipi NOT win after that performance, WOW!! HANDS DOWN THE BEST IN TALENT AMONGST THE TOP 5 !
If there was ever a year that I thought would be an upset, it was this year. Debi Maffett seemed unbeatable but I honestly thought Miss Georgia, Bobbi Eakes was going to take it. She was great.
She was remarkable. I agree. My cousin, Debbie was Miss Massachusetts the previous year, so my entire family was paying full attention this year, and we all thought that Bobbie would have at least been a runner-up. However, at this point in the game, the judges are number crunching, so any result was possible. But yes, Debra Maffett and Bobbie Eakes stood out.
it is nice to see this pageant I never saw the original telecast on tv
Miss Tennessee was very attractive and poised. Debbie when competing for Miss Texas 3x had a more pronounced nose and then got some work done on it and tried her luck at Miss Calif. - smart move.
Desire Daniels was a former Miss Tennessee USA as well
And finished 2nd RU to Miss USA 1984.
I was hoping that Mississippi would win but I do like the winner. Also Miss Georgia was a top contender as well.
Debbie from Texas. Moved to CA
the one i really liked was Miss Arkansas,Mary Stuart doing that vocal Broadway dance routine while she sang "The Birth of the Blues" in that very fancy sequined black leotard with a perfect body cut!
Mary Stuart, Miss Arkansas, played "Frannie" for years on "As The World Turns". Bobbie Eakes, Miss Georgia, played "Macy" on "The Bold and the Beautiful".
Miss Tennessee sang the same song that Miss Mississippi, Cheryl Pruitt, sang. Miss Missippipi won Miss America that year as well. Tennessee should have picked another song, she could have won if she did. Miss Alabama was dang good. Miss Missippipi should have been 1st runner up tho, what a voice on her,best vocal in the top ten hands down.
When Miss Maffett returned the following year, who knew that she would be witness to history-the crowining of Vanessa Williams, MIss New York, the first African-American to be crowned MIss America?
beiing from tennessee. i was and stillam in lovee with desiree daniels!
Miss Oklahoma was dazzling in Swimsuit
Sadly Miss America does not exist .😢
Thank you for your effort to upload all of these pageants, it provides endless entertainment.
Does anyone know any more about Gwendolyn Suzann Witten, Miss Kentucky? Miss Witten is just fascinating but I feel there is more to her story that would help us understand why her performance that evening was so lovely.
Agree, Miss Kentucky was really good.
I remember picking Debbie Maffett after they announced the top 10- she just emoted and stood out among the others. I agree tho - I thought if it wasnt Debbie - it would surely be Bobbie Eakes.
Debi Maffett’s dress had the poofy Princess sleeves and ruffled neckline . Not a favorite of mine but remember this was September 1982 just a year after the late Princess Diana married the new King today back in 1981. Her dress at this time was considered over the top glameerous for the early 1980’s. Debbie Maffett looked good minus the sequins and frills.😊
😊
Jacó das Misses adoro Miss América
Miss California, the winner, was actually a Texas girl, from near Houston.
Miss Georgia was so pretty. Boy did they screw up the on screen printed graphics as the top ten were announced. Miss West Virginia went on to be 1st runner-up at Miss USA 1984. Gary Collins was okay, but I found myself missing Bert Parks.
Miss Tennessee who won 1st runner-up later was 2nd runner-up Miss USA 1984.
Honestly, I may have given it to Alabama.
what a beautiful girl! she looks like ava gardner to me.
It was a lot of beautiful women in this pageant geesh!!!
Two incredible swimsuit bodies- CA and TN
t 3 Cali, ga and Arizona
Why in the world didn’t Miss Georgia place in the Top 5???
Who would you have knocked out? AL deserved to be in the 5, TN, CA, MS, maybe OK?
PageantsHayDay Mississippi or Oklahoma
I think there is a certain look they go for. More "wholesome" beauty than "sexy" beauty. Miss Georgia has more Hollywood star type beauty and I think that was too much for Miss America back then.
@@pageantsheyday I would have replaced OK for GA. I thought AL's piano performance was more technical then OK's
Oklahoma should have not placed, Georgia should have been 4th runner-up. Mississippi should have been 1st runner up.
TENNESSEE ALL THE WAY!!!
Kudos to Elizabeth Ward Gracen for strategically and carefully placing the crown with two pins; perfectly on Debbie Maffett. Most winners have to put their hands up on the crown as it leans, wobbles or looks awkward - daring to fall off. Well, not this time!
Debbie didn't even pin Vanessa's crown. She just sat it on her head. Vanessa worked it thou!!
@@janemariecox6547 LOL...True, but I believe Debbie was excited due to the history making moment. If you watch the crowning, Susan Powell is holding pins out to Debbie to take, but either Debbie didn't see her or the tv crew was gesturing for Vanessa to take her walk down the runaway....pageant memories lol.
@@SoutherbBelle But then I also still wonder to this day why Leanza never pinned the crown at all onto Kim Aiken. She ALMOST lost that crown halfway down her walk. At one point it looks like its fallen almost down to the ear on her left side . Almost from Kim walking, it had moved noticeably. How it got down so far on that side without her realizing she needed to do something about is fascinating to watch.
@@Parker528 I believe the crown had double sided tape so in this case Leanza wouldn't have to pin it on. While not a bad idea, the crown would and slip and slide on the head when placed on the winner. LOL. Watch a few of the Miss Texas pageants from the late 80s and early 90s. They used double sided tape for the crowning.
@@SoutherbBelle wow. I don't even know where to begin. I guess I will counter your suggestion that I watch those Texas pageants you are suggesting with reminding you that you might want to watch again every single year that the particular crown style Leanza placed on Kim's head (they have gone through maybe 4 changes since the 50's when the MAO started centrally organizing better, and every MA winner and all state winners present in AC all were to wear whatever was the current official pageant crown style). Go back and for now lets just say start with Kaye Lani in 88 and go up to Nicole Johnson in 99. EVERY single winner has that same current official crown style. Perhaps it may help you best to take particular note of the crownings for both Marjorie Vincent as well as her immediate predecessor Debbye Turner when she is also crowned. I have a hard time believing, even without me having held a state crown, that in all of the years I suggest to, ONLY Kim is not crowned. I am unaware of whether its possible, but if you go and watch the year Shirley Cothran crowns Tawny Godin as MA 76 in the 1975 pageant, that is the BEST example that demonstrates that short lived crown design (I think it was only around for MAYBE 4 years at the most). You'll see that in the years starting with Shirley crowning Tawny that Shirley places the crown on Tawny's very tightly pulled back head (as tight as Marjorie Vincent's hair in 91- who's different crown design required that Debbye reinforce it with several pins) and then Shirley's hand goes inside the crown and what she is doing is gently sliding from one end of the crown to the other side, and basically holds in a section of the hair so that the crown can be firmly anchored. I just called my friend who runs a preliminary to the Miss Delaware program and mentioned this discussion. (he's been involved going back 40 years so just several years AFTER that short lived crown that Tawny wore; the crown being used when he started is that one Debbie Maffet is crowned with by Elizabeth Ward). He mentioned that the MAO discontinued using that Tawny crown, if any state and local preliminaries had a surplus of the old crown they were permitted to use them only for that purpose until they ran out. He agreed with what was only a theory of mine that its possible that what you're referring to in Texas- which for the entire 1970's in particular was notorious as having upwards easily as much as 70-80 contestants every year at their state pageant, & so its very possible they more than likely had an enormous surplus, even into the early 90's. I asked about the possibility of a double sided tape feature INSIDE any of the MAO crowns. He said with certainty that never in all of his years with the MAO, whether during communication with other state and local pageant directors , or communications from the MAO or the MAO magazine of the use of double sided tape. He also mentioned this same thing to me that first came to my mind when I read your reply. My first thought was how you came to that conclusion about the tape inside the crown. And how on earth I could determine without any doubt watching the crowning on a youtube video that it had indeed double sided tape on the inside, unless your source of information when you made this claim was that either you learned about in watching one of those pageant years in Texas when that specific detail was mentioned on the telecast, or if you watched an interview on tv in which a person in the know about those years crowns in Texas was explaining that detail. Or maybe you read it somewhere. either way, its doesnt explain why then the pins were placed to reinforce the crowns on every other Miss america with that crown design before and after the year kim won. nor does it explain if it DID have this double sided tape, how it failed to activate for Kim but not anyone else.,
1:51:39
50 year olds were allowed to compete?
noo
Back when shit was normal before crazy ass feminist ruined everything
How so?