[1] Kira Kazantsev of New York crowned Betty Cantrell of Georgia as her successor at the end of the event.

The panel of preliminary competition judges included publicist and talent producer Brian Edwards, Miss America 1979 Kylene Barker, producer Jenni Pulos, fashion and style expert Rachel Zalis, fashion designer Noah Alexander, D.C. lobbyist Lanny Griffith, and actor/model James Brown III.

[3][4] Vanessa Williams (who was crowned Miss America 1984 but was forced to resign a few weeks before her reign ended) served as head judge and performed Oh How the Years Go By.

[5][6] The pageant began with Miss America CEO Sam Haskell issuing an apology to Williams, telling her that although "none of us currently in the organization were involved then, on behalf of today's organization, I want to apologize to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams.

"[7][8][9] Suzette Charles (Williams' replacement)[10] said in an interview with Inside Edition that she was perplexed over the apology and suggested that it was given for the purpose of ratings.