Miss America 2019 was crowned last night in Atlantic City. It was the first time in history that the annual competition, hosted this year by Carrie Ann Inaba and Ross Matthews, did not have a swimsuit portion. This 92nd Miss America title went to Nia Franklin, representing New York.
Franklin, 25, sang Giacomo Puccini’s “Quando m’en vo” from the opera La bohème during the talent segment.
“I want America to see that classical music is still alive and thriving, especially that an African American woman is singing opera,” she said at the time. “Because there’s so many kids out there that don’t know that they can do classical music.”
Of her Miss America win, Franklin said, “It took a lot of perseverance to get here. I want to thank my beautiful family, my mom and my dad, who is a survivor of cancer.”
This marks the seventh time a representative from New York has been crowned Miss America — the last Miss New York to receive this national title was Kira Kazantsev in 2015.
Here’s everything to know about Miss America 2019, Nia Franklin.
Nia Franklin was born and raised in North Carolina
Franklin (full name Nia Imani Ranklin) is a North Carolina native, born in the city of Winston-Salem.
She received an undergraduate degree in music composition from East Carolina University. She then went on to get her master’s in composition from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA).
Nia Franklin is a classically trained opera singer
Franklin’s contestant bio states that she composed her first song when she was just 6 years old (the lyrics went, “Love, love, love, love, love, is the only thing that matters to me hey, hey, hey, hey, hey” — which is quite emotionally aware for a first grader.)
During last night’s competition, she said that the arts helped her maintain a sense of identity.
“I grew up at a predominately Caucasian school and there was only five percent minority, and I felt out of place so much because of the color of my skin,” Franklin said. “But growing up, I found my love of arts, and through music that helped me to feel positive about myself and about who I was.”
Miss New York nailed the talent competition! #missamerica pic.twitter.com/nlmc431H1K
— Jenice Armstrong (@JeniceArmstrong) September 10, 2018
Her social impact initiative (required for all contestants) is advocating for the arts, which is what she promises to do under her Miss America 2019 title.
Nia Franklin currently resides in Brooklyn
Franklin moved to New York after being accepted into the Kenan Fellow program at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center Education.
“I have New York grit,” Franklin said during the Q&A portion of the competition when asked how being from NYC prepared her for her potential role as Miss America. “I have moved over five times because of subletting in New York. It can be a little difficult because of the pricey rent, but I’ve overcome that.”
“And also, as a New Yorker, I understand what it takes to work hard,” she continued. “I came up on a Lincoln Center fellowship because I’m an artist. And I am really excited to share my platform, my social impact, advocating for the arts, and make sure all students have access to a quality education.”
Nia Franklin, Miss America 2019, donated stem cells to her father
According to UNCSA, Franklin’s father was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was a freshman in college.
In 2013, she donated stem cells as part of his treatment, which essentially saved his life. She recently posted about this experience on Instagram:
With her Miss America title, Franklin also wishes to raise money and awareness for lymphoma cancer research and stem donation.
Her father’s diagnosis pushed her to enter pageantry as a way to pay for college. Prior to this Miss America competition, she received $17,250 in winnings. Last night’s win granted her $50,000.
Nia Franklin won the Miss New York competition this summer
Franklin, competing as Miss Five Burroughs, was crowned Miss New York this past June.
In December, Sam Haskell, the previous chairman of the Miss America Organization, resigned after misogynist emails about former winners were made public. This year’s competition, headed by new Chair of the Board Gretchen Carlson, promoted a “Miss America 2.0.”
Cara Mund, Miss America 2018, accused Carlson and other executives of silencing her influence within the organization. A letter detailing these claims was made public last month.
When asked after Sunday night’s competition how the organization can continue on successfully given the controversy that has taken place, Franklin told reporters, “I don’t mean to sound cocky, but I think you’re looking at her. This is going to be a wonderful year.”
“I really believe in this organization, I have for a long time now,” she said, stating that though the scholarship money she’s earned has been “nice,” competing in these pageants became more about mentorship, leadership and “sisterhood.”
“If we continue to focus on these positives,” Franklin said, “then that’s what is going to keep this organization up and running and that’s what’s going to help us see another 100 years.”
