For three hours on Sunday night America was treated to a live beauty pageant extravaganza with all the best glitz and sparkle and fake eyelashes America had to offer but it was East coast native Kira Kazantsev who took out the Miss America title ahead of 49 other contestants.
The 22-year-old won over the judges with her no-frills a capella performance of Pharrell Williams’ hit Happy which saw her sitting crossed legged on the stage, rhythmically tapping an empty cup.
Kira told reporters that her stimulating performance was fittingly inspired by 2012’s teen comedy Pitch Perfect in which Anna Kendrick’s character nails her audition for a preppy singing group by performing to the melodic sounds of a plastic beaker.
The red cup recital even prompted a tweet from Kendrick herself who hashtagged a picture with herself and Pharrell: “#WhatIsHappening”.
So I guess @Pharrell and I can’t stop collaborating. #MissAmerica #WhatIsHappening?? pic.twitter.com/AhsTA62PJJ
The New Yorker said she hoped her performance would show future beauty queens that they can win Miss America by performing any “talent” they like, regardless of how ridiculous others might think it is.
“I wanted every single little girl in America to be able to see that you can do that talent … and still be Miss America and have the time of your life,” Kira said.
While Miss Ohio, MacKenzie Bart, won the talent competition of the Miss America pageant for her ventriloquist routine Kira insisted she was “happy” with her performance.
“I literally in that minute and 30 seconds had the most fun I’ve ever had,” she told reporters.
Over the course of the competition viewers were treated to captivating television including swimsuit competitions, Q&A’s with the contestants and a special performance by former supermodel Kathy Ireland who took to the stage to burp on cue after being dared by pageant host, Dena Blizzard.
This Miss America Pageant is the best worst thing I’ve ever seen #MissAmerica
The beauty pageant, erm… “achievement program” winner, received her tiara and bouquet at the oh-so appropriate Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Kira said she hopes to use her $50,000 scholarship prize to attend law school.
