New Yorker Nia Franklin Wins Miss America, While Miss Michigan Slams State’s Water Crisis
Nia Franklin of New York City was crowned Miss America on Sunday in the first pageant in the organization’s 98-year history without a swimsuit or evening gown contest.Franklin earns a $50,000 scholarship, while Connecticut’s Bridget Oei was named first runner-up and earned a $25,000 scholarship.But the post-#MeToo tweaks to the contest weren’t the only signs of change as politics reared their head throughout the competition.Also Read: Miss America Contestant Slams Trump During Pageant: 'He Has Caused a Lot of Division'Miss Michigan Emily Sioma eschewed the usual boastful or rah-rah self-introduction to deliver this pointed diss at her home state in the live broadcast Sunday night: “From a state with 84 percent of the U.S.
fresh water, but none for its residents to drink, I’m Miss Michigan, Emily Sioma.”During pre-broadcast competition on Friday, another contestant made a pointed remark about President Donald Trump.