For the second year running, Miss America is an Okie. University of CentralOklahoma music theater sophomore Lauren Nelson, 20, won the hearts of the pageant judges " including "Hardball"'s Chris Matthews " last week as the contest's 80th "crownee."
She belted out Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart," stood up for protecting kids from online predators and told judges she wishes she were taller (humility!), The Edmond Sun reported.
And, Bucky noted, she likes caramel turtle cheesecake, according to The Associated Press.
Except, um, who knew?
Despite a reality show promo, "PageantSchool"; text-message voting; "There She Is" ringtones; and having "Dancing with the Stars" heartthrob Mario Lopez host, ratings for the CMT show fell 20 percent from last year to a paltry 2.4 million, according to The Los Angeles Times. The last time the pageant graced ABC in '04, nearly 10 million watched.
