Lauren Nelson from Oklahoma is crowned Miss America after a strong showing in the talent contest.

Pilialoha Gaison has been hugely popular but didn’t end up placing in the beauty contest.

I think that its cool Miss Hawaii was popular amongst the people because sometimes on the face American culture can be too homogenized. That said this years contestants pretty much all looked the same which I think reflects a fairly narrow view of beauty.

Lauren Nelson walks out here in a yellow bikini. (actually one of the better bikini cuts in the competition)

Shillah Phillips the first Black Miss Texas was first runner up.