RIP Leanza Cornett. You were an advocate to a disenfranchised group of Americans & a true trailblazer in the fight for awareness for people living w/ HIV-AIDS. A truly AMAZING Miss America & my prayers go out to your family, especially your incredible boys. You will be truly missed! 😢🙏🏼💓
thank you for posting this video. this is one of my favorite years for the MAO! i believe with my whole heart and soul that leanza won because every aspect of her presentation was on-theme with her message about AIDS and dealing with it with compassion (a concept that, at the time, was shocking and novel). even her song choice, A New Life, spoke to the hope that each patient must hold in order to deal with this dreadful disease. i salute leanza and her state prep people for ensuring that the message was not lost in all the chiffon and hairspray!!
Thank you so much for posting!! I thought this was a very strong year of contenders - even tho I thought Florida had it in the bag before they announced the runners up and winner.
Actually, I though Miss Iowas would win given that she won both her swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Leanza Cornett did not win wither of hers. Nonethelss, she ended up as first runner up. Leanza Cornerr must have been the run away favorite of the celebrity judges that night.
Pam McElvy(sp) Miss Kansas is a good example in talent of good song choice, good coaching, great dress, great emotion all the while singing with no vibrato but straight tone. For me talent is about the entire package. Being able to entertain and engage even when you aren't the strongest vocalist, intstrumentalist, etc......Leanza and Catherine had the chops and the whole package.
Leanza was the right candidate at the right time. It was time our nation needed a high profile advocate for HIV/AIDS. I got to work w/ Leanza, Kate Schindle & Caressa Cameron when I still volunteered for The Center for HIV LAW & policy. Three very incredible women!
Wholeheartedly agree! Leanza had that it factor on stage. The controversy for Leanza was that the rules state there is to be no display of any political, religious or advocacy affiliation worn during competition. To this day how MAO permitted the red ribbon is beyond me. As an HIV/AIDS advocate I thought it was an empowering decision
I was there in the audience that night. I said to my frined sitting next to me that Indiana, Oklahoma and Iowa will be in the fiinal 3. All of them were in top 5. I almost hit it right on target.
@@jja8750, I wonder if Frank Wildhorn, Steve Cuden, and/or Leslie Bricusse watched this pageant. I know Mr. Bricusse is British, so probably not him, but I’m wondering about Mr. Wildhorn and Mr. Cuden.
Just curious for anyone that was in the convention center that night, who was the buzz about and who had the crowd behind them. I know Miss Iowa was a double preliminary winner and Leanza didnt win any preliminaries(not that that means anything) but oftentimes there is an energy behind the favorite....
LOL! since my initial viewing of her in 1993, i have since seen footage of carrie in other arenas and am quite impressed with her!! had debbye turner not previously marimba'd her way into my heart (with a near-flawless performance in 1989), i would still be impressed by carrie's talent. even more impressive given she is a doctor and surely had more important things on her mind rather than practicing/playing the marimba! ;-)
