My Miss America 100 Finals Story- A Guest Blog by Lauren Bradford

I know that one thing I always wonder is what happens behind the scenes at Miss America. What happens that the cameras might not show. Lauren Bradford, Miss Alabama 2021, was kind enough to take us behind the curtains with the story of her Miss America final night. I hope you enjoy it!

The final night of Miss America, after being called into Top 10, I was supposed to be #6 to perform my talent. I was called onto the stage during a commercial break, and the pedal board that I was planning to run my sound through wasn’t working. It had worked during sound check, and we could not figure out what was wrong. We started ripping apart my board on the stage in front of the judges with 15 seconds to go in commercial. I was ushered off the stage, and the next candidate in line had to perform. I was skipped put at the end of the performance schedule. Backstage, the sound guys would not give up with my board, and finally realized what was wrong right before I was supposed to go out again. After all of the commotion backstage, I finally started playing — and this time, my sound wasn’t working. I didn’t know what was wrong (a different issue than before), and had to make a choice to keep going, or stop and check everything in front of a live-streamed audience and panel of my judges. I decided to keep going, because in the moment, that really felt like the only true decision there was. Halfway through the song, I realized that my board was muted, and stamped my foot on the pedal to fix it. The crowd went wild once they were able to finally hear me. I got to finish the song with sound, and when I made it off stage, I was breathing so heavy because I had just poured everything into the performance to try and make up for what had happened. But the sound crew approached me and told me not to go anywhere, that I would be performing my talent song again. I could barely breathe and asked for some water, which they helped me find. Then I had to go out pretty soon after that to perform the full song again. 

This was truly one of those moments that I never thought would happen to me, and it happened on the Miss America stage. After finishing for the final time and walking off of stage, I immediately knew I hadn’t made it to the next round, and just started to accept how happy I was to have made the Top 10. I was running to the dressing room to change into the next interview round. I was running in my heels up to the stage to make it on before the commercial break ended, and I happened to be the first called into the Top 5. If you watched Miss America, the surprise and gratitude and emotion on my face is absolutely real. I had told myself that Top 10 was the end of the road for me. After rushing to get into my interview dress and the entire talent sound fiasco (as the last to perform), I was the first one that was supposed to enter the on stage interview. Those moments were SUCH a whirlwind with literally seconds to calm myself down. That ended up being my favorite round of competition by far because I was able to share so many things that were so important to me. 

In the final moments of Miss America, I was so incredibly honored to be standing with Emma as she was called Miss America. I was so filled with joy because I really do adore her and think she has an incredible personality, and we had spent a lot of time together because of the alphabetical order state lineups that we often did during the week — with Alabama and Alaska always being the first two in line. I absolutely was not disappointed because I am a firm believer that God has a beautiful plan for every single person, and knowing that I was able to get that close with the door closing at the very end was confirmation that I couldn’t have done anything differently. 

I can't thank Lauren enough for sharing this story with us.

Answering Your Miss America 100 Questions - Part 2 of A Guest Blog by Lauren Bradford

 On Instagram, I asked what questions people would ask a Miss America 100 candidate. Several wonderful questions were submitted. Lauren Bradford, Miss Alabama 2021, was kind enough to take a crack at answering them for us. This is the second of a two part post. I hope you enjoy it!

Miss America is often inexplicable, absolutely unequivocal, and deeply meaningful. As every Miss America candidate has said before me, Miss America is something that very few people have experienced and thus, very few can truly relate and identify; we bonded so much because of the wildness of our shared experiences. 

What was the favorite interview question you were asked?

My favorite interview question was probably about Morgan Freeman. On my resume, I have a “Fun Facts” section and one of mine is that I’ve exchanged gifts with Morgan Freeman. I got to share that story and make the judges laugh - and shamelessly ask them if they had any plugs so I could meet the man who has accepted my gift from his doorstep and returned the favor on mine at my family’s home in Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

I also loved talking about the plans I had curated to deploy if given the job of Miss America. I had spent a lot of time in my preparation curating a Strategic Marketing Plan that I viewed from the lens of an investor and what it meant to truly form collaborations and partnerships at the national level to advance our organization into the next 100 years. I was very eager to talk about this because my studies surround finance and global markets, and I felt that knowledge directly coalesced to helping me become ready for the job of Miss America. 

What kept you grounded during the week?

My faith kept me grounded during every single moment. Even in the moments where I was tempted to completely give up and succumb to the numbing and overwhelming fear and anxiety about my talent on the final night (and in remembering that every moment was internationally broadcasted), God was there. He kept giving peace that I absolutely did not deserve. He taught me so much about His protection during the entire process, and I learn more about this and about His provision, especially in relation to Miss America, every single day. 

Since Miss America, I have been so inspired to continue leaving a legacy and making the broadest impact possible. I know that with or without a crown, I have already received an eternal one - and that is where I want my impact to lie. I am so honored and so humbled to be one of the few women who ever get this experience, and never want to take the experience for granted. 

Here’s to serving Alabama for the next few months — and to a lifetime of service after that. 

I can't thank Lauren enough for answering these questions for us. I hope you enjoyed both of her posts. 

Answering Your Miss America 100 Questions - A Guest Blog by Lauren Bradford

On Instagram, I asked what questions people would ask a Miss America 100 candidate. Several wonderful questions were submitted. Lauren Bradford, Miss Alabama 2021, was kind enough to take a crack at answering them for us. This is the first of a two part post. I hope you enjoy it!

Miss America is often inexplicable, absolutely unequivocal, and deeply meaningful. As every Miss America candidate has said before me, Miss America is something that very few people have experienced and thus, very few can truly relate and identify; we bonded so much because of the wildness of our shared experiences. 

How did you spend your down time?

I spent my down time reading my Bible, journaling, in prayer, and listening to music. I’m not a huge napper, so I didn’t do much of that because I found that our curfew and room to ourselves made for a great deal of sleep at night. I was thankful to spend a lot of the waiting and “margin” time with other Miss America candidates, and would not trade those delirious laughs for anything. 

What goes through your mind as you’re standing on the Miss America stage?

Standing on the Miss America stage presents a feeling unlike any other. I think more than anything, I was proud to be there, and proud to represent my state. To represent the entirety of one’s home state is a responsibility and a privilege that few will ever have. The Miss Alabama Organization is an incredibly supportive program and I had worked harder than I ever had for anything in my entire life. I knew that I left no stone unturned in my preparation process, so there was nothing else I could have done to prepare for that moment. That led to a lot of peace, which I am so thankful for. 

What was the preliminary process like?

Prelims were so much fun, especially the first night, because it’s the first time you’ll ever perform on the Miss America stage. You can’t get that moment back. My first night of prelims was talent, and the story behind my talent is one that was filled with challenge, and learning what it meant to truly uphold tenacity. I actually tied with another candidate for the song I originally wanted, and lost the runoff, as only one Miss America candidate can perform each song. Therefore, I didn’t have a song picked out until 50 days before Miss America. Those 50 days were filled with hours upon hours of playing, and going to physical therapy twice a week to avoid injury in my shoulder, back, and arms due to overuse of those muscles to support the violin. After all of this and working so hard day and night, playing my electric violin and punk rock version of “Beethoven’s 5th Symphony” on the Miss America stage with a performance that I was so proud of brought me to nonstop tears in the dressing room until the closing number. I have never felt more proud of anything ever before. It was such a reward that was well worth the physical pain and emotional stress leading up to it. 

I can't thank Lauren enough for answering these questions for us. I hope you enjoy both of her posts. 

Answering Your Miss America 100 Questions - Part 2 of A Guest Blog by Elle Mark

On Instagram, I asked what questions people would ask a Miss America 100 candidate. Several wonderful questions were submitted. Elle Mark, Miss Minnesota 2021, was kind enough to take a crack at answering them for us. This is the second of a two part post. I hope you enjoy it!

Photo Courtesy Miss MN Org

When you’re crowned as a state titleholder, people love to ask you “Has it hit you that you’re going to Miss America yet?” and you respond with a polite variation of “no”. My favorite response to the question was, “I don’t think it will hit me until I’m on the flight home!” and frankly, I wasn’t wrong. The flight home from Miss America was the hardest of my life - processing everything that had happened and realizing that the event I had worked towards for so long was over. 

Now that a few weeks have passed and the many emotions have been processed (well, partially processed that is), I’m having a lot of fun reliving my Miss America experience by doing some Q+A! When Section 36 offered me the chance to answer a few of the fans’ questions, I couldn’t resist! 

Without further ado, let’s chat Miss America 100! 

What was it like backstage during the competition?

Photo Courtesy Miss MN Org

It depended on where you were! If you were in the dressing room, the vibe was fun, chatty and supportive! If you were in the general backstage area where candidates were rehearsing and getting in the zone, it was a little more quiet and intense. If you were in the wings ready to go on, it was surreal. Everyone was just in awe of what was happening around us. It’s hard to describe! But it wasn’t like the movies with the cattiness or drama - the vibes were always positive. 

 

What goes through your mind as you’re standing on the Miss America stage?

“Wow - I can’t believe I’m here.” 

 

I never competed in pageants as a kid, but I watched Miss America every single year. Back then, I never knew how to get to the Miss America stage or even how to become Miss Minnesota - yet there I was! It was so surreal, and I was just awe-struck. It was very emotional! 

 

How did you select your gown?

They say “you know when you know” - and golly, I just knew! I went to our gown sponsor, Regalia Magnificent Apparel, and saw the dress on the hanger. I loved the fringey sleeves, but I thought I “didn’t want a black gown”. When I put it on and it zipped up, I instantly started crying. That’s when they told me it was a one-of-a-kind Jovani that had arrived two days earlier and I was the first to try it on. And get this - NO ALTERATIONS NEEDED (which is pretty amazing, if you didn’t know). It was meant to be! 

Photo Courtesy Miss MN Org

What were your first thoughts after it was all over?

“I wish I could go back and do it all again” - and no, not because I had regrets. I wouldn’t change a thing about my performance. I wanted to do it all again because it truly was the time of my life. People tell you how life-changing the experience is, but nothing prepares you for just how empowering it is to be around so many like-minded, motivated, and kind-hearted women. Nothing prepares you for the realization that you are a part of such an incredible legacy. I am humbled beyond belief to have been part of the 100th anniversary class of Miss America. 

I can't thank Elle enough for answering these questions for us. I hope you enjoy both of her posts. 

Answering Your Miss America 100 Questions - A Guest Blog by Elle Mark

On Instagram, I asked what questions people would ask a Miss America 100 candidate. Several wonderful questions were submitted. Elle Mark, Miss Minnesota 2021, was kind enough to take a crack at answering them for us. This is the first of a two part post. I hope you enjoy it!

Photo Courtesy Miss MN Org

When you’re crowned as a state titleholder, people love to ask you “Has it hit you that you’re going to Miss America yet?” and you respond with a polite variation of “no”. My favorite response to the question was, “I don’t think it will hit me until I’m on the flight home!” and frankly, I wasn’t wrong. The flight home from Miss America was the hardest of my life - processing everything that had happened and realizing that the event I had worked towards for so long was over. 

Now that a few weeks have passed and the many emotions have been processed (well, partially processed that is), I’m having a lot of fun reliving my Miss America experience by doing some Q+A! When Section 36 offered me the chance to answer a few of the fans’ questions, I couldn’t resist! 
Without further ado, let’s chat Miss America 100! 

Photo Courtesy Miss MN Org

How did your arrival in Connecticut go?
From the moment I arrived, I felt like a celebrity! We were greeted at the airport by our security team and shuttled (in big black SUVs!!!) to the Mohegan Sun where we checked-in in their beautiful Aspire lobby. From there, we were escorted to our rooms via the private elevators (and yes, I confirmed that J-Lo had used the same elevators) and got to enjoy our beautiful rooms in the Sky Tower. We never went anywhere alone and I truly felt like I was a star. 
 
What kept you grounded during the week?
Alone time! Though I’m an extrovert, I made it a priority to let myself process / relax every night over a cup of tea and a Christmas movie (which was harder than it sounds given how much I wanted to spend time with the other candidates). I also journaled quite a bit and was sure to check-in with my support team before bed. 
 
Did you have a favorite fan/friend/family encounter of the week?
Honestly, I have so many stories about impactful moments with “fans” and friends - from unexpected cards to meeting people who have followed my journey that I didn’t know - it’s hard to pick just one! But if I had to pick JUST one…
 
We had a break in the day on Saturday, and a small group of us wanted to walk around the Mohegan and visit their different stores. There were strict rules on being able to see family / friends during non-visitation hours, but my family decided to try and “catch a glance” of me from the lobby. When I saw them, I freaked out and (because we were in such a small group) one of the security guards said I could go hug them if I was “really quick”. I sprinted over, gave them hugs, and ran back. It seemed so silly and small, but after several days without seeing them during this high stress time, it meant everything to me. 
 
What was the favorite interview question you were asked?

Photo Courtesy Miss MN Org

Gosh - I can barely remember them! I’m one of those people who tends to “black out” a little in interview. What I can remember is that every question was purposeful and it was evident that the judges were prepared / had done their research! I appreciated that a lot. 
 
How did you spend your down time? What were some of your favorite activities with the other candidates? 
There was surprisingly a lot of down time that I spent one of two ways… Napping, or laughing! While we got plenty of sleep, the week is very emotionally exhausting and I knew if I didn’t sleep whenever I felt the need that exhaustion would catch up to me! But when I wasn’t sleeping, I was hanging out with the other candidates. We made a lot of TikToks, sang many random songs, and just bonded over our shared experiences. The job of a state titleholder is unlike any other, so it was empowering to be around so many women who knew exactly what it was like and had gone through the things I was going through. 

I can't thank Elle enough for answering these questions for us. I hope you'll enjoy part two when it comes out.