The Miss America 2020 competition was held on Thursday, December 19, 2019. This was the 93rd Miss America pageant/competition, though the Miss America Organization celebrated its 99th anniversary in 2019. This discrepancy is due to national pageants not being held from 1928 to 1932 or in 1934 because of financial problems associated with the Great Depression.
In May 2019, it was announced that the 2020 competition would be broadcast on NBC after previously being aired on ABC since 2011. NBC previously aired Miss America pageants for more than two decades until ABC was selected to air the Miss America 1998 pageant in September 1997. This is also the first beauty pageant to be aired by NBC since the network terminated its contract with the Miss Universe Organization in June 2015 over controversial remarks that were made by Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.
In July 2019, it was announced that the 2020 competition would be held at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut on Thursday, December 19, 2019, making this the ninth edition of the competition that would not be held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Miss America 2019, Nia Franklin of New York, officially crowned Camille Schrier of Virginia as her successor at the end of the event.
Schrier's reign was originally to end in December 2020, but the reign will be extended due to outside factors, with the next pageant now scheduled for at least the end of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic making it unfeasible to be held before 2020's end.
Overview Organization of competition The preliminary competition consisted of private interviews with judges (20% of preliminary score), on-stage interview (15%), talent competition (50%), and "social impact pitch" (15%). Candidates were not judged in an evening gown or swimsuit competition.
The fifteen candidates from the preliminary competition with the highest overall scores were announced during the televised event. For the top 15 finalists, their preliminary scores contributed to 25% of their final night score. The top 15 was then immediately whittled down to the top 7 candidates (without any phase of competition being completed or televised). Then the top 7 competed in on-stage "job interview"; the top 5 performed their respective talents; and the top 3 candidates presented their "social impact pitch" to the panel of judges. These phases of competition contributed to 25%, 30%, and 20% of their final night score respectively. The final two candidates then were asked the same question (alternating answering first) and given the chance to agree or give rebuttal to the other candidate's answer. From this, the judges then determined the placements of the finalists.
Judges Preliminary judges On December 15–16, 2019, judges for the preliminary competition selected winners of the preliminary competitions as well as the top finalists for the final night of competition. The panel included composer and music producer, Anthony Barfield; model and lifestyle consultant, Holly Pelham Davis; and executive director for the Clinton Foundation, Stephanie S. Streett.
Final night judges The panel of judges on the final night of competition on December 19, 2019, included actress, Lauren Ash; TV host, Karamo Brown; and singer, songwriter, and actress, Kelly Rowland.
Results Placements Placement ContestantMiss America 2020 – Camille Schrier1st Runner-Up – Victoria Hill2nd Runner-Up – Simone Esters3rd Runner-Up – Addison Price4th Runner-Up – Jillian Duffy Top 7 – Tiara Pennington – Monica ThompsonTop 15 – Eileen Kim – Michaela McLean – Nicole Holbrook – Annika Wooton – Jade Glab – Lauren Molella – Alexandra Badgett – Chandler Foreman
Awards Preliminary awards Awards Contestants On Stage Interview Georgia – Victoria Hill New Jersey – Jade Glab Private Interview Michigan – Mallory Rivard Oregon – Shivali Kadam Talent Georgia – Victoria Hill Virginia – Camille Schrier
Equity and Justice Scholarship awards In September 2019, the Miss America Organization announced that a new scholarship, the Equity and Justice Scholarship, will be awarded at the 2020 competition to the candidate, "who best exemplifies inclusion and acceptance of these principles in her social impact initiative." Results Contestant Social Impact Initiative Winner North Carolina – Alexandra Badgett N.I.N.E.: No is Not Enough Finalists Illinois – Ariel Beverly Advocating for Arts Education Maryland – Caitlyn Stupi #CommonCents: Promoting Financial Literacy at the Primary Grade Level Michigan – Mallory Rivard Read to Succeed Tennessee – Brianna Mason Advocates for Autism
Social Impact Initiative Scholarship awards Formerly called “Quality of Life Award” Results Contestant Social Impact Initiative Winner Kansas – Annika Wooton The Artist's Fingerprint: The Transformative Power of the Arts 1st runner-up South Carolina – Morgan Nichols Stronger with STEM 2nd runner-up South Dakota – Amber Hulse Operation Overload Finalists Nevada – Nasya Mancini Patch for a Purpose #FindYourVoice Utah – Dexonna Talbot Servesteem – Increasing Self-Esteem Through Service
STEM Scholarship awards Results Contestant Winner South Carolina – Morgan Nichols 1st runner-up Massachusetts – Lyndsey Littlefield 2nd runner-up New York – Lauren Molella Finalists Arkansas – Darynne Dahlem Montana – Mo Shea
Women in Business Scholarship awards Results Contestant Winner Kentucky – Alex Francke 1st runner-up Hawaii – Nicole Holbrook Finalists Arizona – Jacqueline Thomas District of Columbia – Katelynne Cox Idaho – Grace Zimmerman
Other awards Awards Contestant(s) Miss Congeniality Idaho – Grace Zimmerman Dr. & Mrs. David Allman Medical Scholarship Montana – Mo Shea Beacom College STEM Scholarship Missouri – Simone Esters Non-finalist Talent Award Louisiana – Meagan Crews Tiffany Phillips Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Nebraska – Allie Swanson
Candidates The Miss America 2020 candidates were: State or district Name Hometown Age Talent Social Impact Initiative Placement Special awards NotesAlabama Tiara Pennington Helena 20 Classical Vocal, “Nessun Dorma" from Turandot Top 7 Previously Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2016Alaska Maile Johnston Eagle River 20 Contemporary Dance, "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" Arizona Jacqueline Thomas Phoenix 24 Piano, "Malagueña" Women in Business Scholarship FinalistArkansas Darynne Dahlem Greenwood 22 Vocal, “Somewhere" from West Side Story STEM Scholarship FinalistCalifornia Eileen KimOrange 22 Violin Top 15Colorado Monica ThompsonAurora 24 Classical Vocal, "Les Filles de Cadix" Top 7 Connecticut Jillian Duffy Burlington 22 Vocal, "Once Upon a Time" from Brooklyn 4th runner-upDelaware Hillary MayMount Vernon, IN23 Vocal, "Valerie" District of Columbia Katelynne Cox Washington, D.C. 25 Vocal Women in Business Scholarship Finalist Previously Miss Missouri for Miss Earth United States 2016 Florida Michaela McLean Clermont 21 Lyrical Dance, "You Say" Top 15 Previously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2014Georgia Victoria Hill Canton 20 Classical Vocal, "Chacun le sait" from La fille du régiment 1st runner-up Preliminary On Stage Interview AwardPreliminary Talent AwardHawaii Nicole HolbrookLaie20 Classical Piano, “Concerto in A Minor" Top 15 Women in Business Scholarship 1st runner-up Idaho Grace Zimmerman Weiser 21 Ceramics Demonstration Miss CongenialityWomen in Business Scholarship Finalist Was originally named first runner-up at Miss Idaho 2019 pageantAssumed the title when original winner, Rachel Forest, stepped down to continue to pursue her educationIllinois Ariel Beverly Springfield 24 Vocal, "Son of a Preacher Man" Equity & Justice Scholarship FinalistIndiana Tiarra Taylor New Albany 21 Vocal, "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen Iowa Emily Tinsman Bettendorf 22 Classical Vocal Kansas Annika Wooton Overland Park25 Speed painting Top 15 Social Impact Initiative Scholarship Winner Kentucky Alex Francke Lexington 22 Vocal, "Maybe This Time" Women in Business Scholarship WinnerPreviously Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2014LouisianaMeagan CrewsBossier City22Vocal Non-finalist Talent AwardPreviously Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen 2014MaineCarolyn Brady Brunswick 22 Violin First African American to win Miss MaineMarylandCaitlyn StupiWestminster 21 Cello, "The Swan" Equity & Justice Scholarship FinalistMassachusettsLyndsey LittlefieldTaunton 22 Lyrical Dance STEM Scholarship 1st runner-upMichigan Mallory Rivard Bay City 24 Vocal Equity & Justice Scholarship FinalistPrivate Interview AwardMinnesotaKathryn KueppersMendota Heights21Jazz Vocal, "Nature Boy" Daughter of Miss Minnesota 1983, Vicki Plaster KueppersMississippiMary Margaret HyerHattiesburg23Vocal, "Queen of the Night" aria by Mozart Missouri Simone Esters Columbia20Baton Twirling, "Turn the Beat Around" 2nd runner-up Beacom College STEM ScholarshipMontana Mo Shea Helena 22 Vocal, "Let Me Be Your Star" from Smash Dr. & Mrs. David Allman Medical ScholarshipSTEM Scholarship FinalistPreviously Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen 2012 Nebraska Allie Swanson Omaha 24 Vocal Tiffany Phillips Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Winner Sister of Miss Nebraska 2014 and Miss Nebraska USA 2020, Megan SwansonNevada Nasya Mancini Sparks 22 Comedic Monologue/Accent Impersonations Social Impact Initiative Scholarship FinalistNew Hampshire Sarah Tubbs Sandown 25 Lyrical Dance New Jersey Jade Glab Belmar 19 Classical Vocal, "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi Top 15 Preliminary On Stage Interview AwardLater Miss World USA 2026, but was moved to 2027 and replaced by runner-up Mary Sickler. New Mexico Misa Tran Alamogordo 20 Dance Previously Distinguished Young Woman of New Mexico 2017 New York Lauren Molella Millbrook24Ballet en Pointe Top 15 STEM Scholarship FinalistDaughter of Miss Massachusetts 1983 and National Sweetheart 1982, Holly Mayer, and niece of Miss New York 1989, Lisa MolellaPreviously Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2011North CarolinaAlexandra BadgettReidsville22Tap Dance, "This Is Me" by Keala Settle Top 15 Equity & Justice Scholarship WinnerPreviously Miss North Carolina's Outstanding Teen 2012North Dakota Haley Wolfe Carrington 22 Dance Previously Distinguished Young Woman of North Dakota 2016Ohio Caroline Grace Williams Cincinnati 24 Classical Vocal Oklahoma Addison PriceEdmond20Jazz Dance, Medley of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" 3rd runner-up Previously Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen 2016Oregon Shivali KadamPortland 25 Vocal, “Reflection" from Mulan Private Interview AwardPennsylvania Tiffany SeitzFreeport 23Dance Rhode IslandMolly AndradeMiddletown20 Irish Step Dance South Carolina Morgan NicholsLexington 22 Vocal, “Bridge Over Troubled Water" Social Impact Initiative Scholarship 1st runner-upSTEM Scholarship WinnerSouth Dakota Amber Hulse Hot Springs 20 Piano Social Impact Initiative Scholarship 2nd runner-up Later Miss South Dakota USA 2023Tennessee Brianna Mason Nashville 23 Piano, "Piano Fantasy" by William Joseph Equity & Justice Scholarship Finalist First African American to win Miss TennesseeTexas Chandler Foreman Pearland 22 Flute, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" Top 15Utah Dexonna Talbot Spanish Fork19 Ballet en Pointe Social Impact Initiative Scholarship FinalistVermont Jillian Fisher Burlington 20 Vocal, "Bennie and the Jets" VirginiaCamille SchrierRichmond24Chemistry DemonstrationMiss America 2020Preliminary Talent AwardCurrent student at VCU School of PharmacyWashington Abbie KondelBrush Prairie 21 Power Tap Dance, "Sax" West Virginia Toriane GraalMorgantown 21 Baton Twirling, "Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote)" Wisconsin Alyssa BohmMount Pleasant 24 Tap Dance, "Feeling Good" WyomingJordan HardmanRock Springs 20 Clogging, "9 to 5"
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