Miss America 2013 has been crowned to Miss New York 2012 Mallory Hytes Hagan.
Hagan, from Brooklyn, qualified to become Miss New York 2012 after winning Miss New York City. With her platform issue of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and talent of tap-dancing, Hagan outperformed the other 52 contestants to become the 92nd Miss America.
Hagan won the title over Miss South Carolina 2012 Ali Rogers, considered as one of the favorites to win, as well as Miss Wyoming 2012 Lexie Madden who landed as 3rd runner-up.
The 23-year-old's win is the first for a Miss New York since singer and actress Vanessa L. Williams' win in 1984. Williams' win was cut short at 10 months (out of a full one year term) after Penthouse magazine published nude photos of her. Williams' resigned and the Miss America title was given to Miss New Jersey.
Hagan might not have to worry about such matters.
The new Miss America winner is set to make the media rounds after her win on Saturday night as she appeared on ABC's 'The View" on Monday.
Hagan spoke about the pageant and upcoming plans as the 2013 Miss America, stating she'll be traveling 20,000 miles for many public appearances while promoting health and other issues.
Hagan noted that being part of the Miss America pageant is not solely based on appearance but on how one will act on national television and in public.
As for her tap dancing talent as seen during the pageant, Hagan gave credit to her grandmother and mother since both have owned a dance studio.
"I was going to be a dancer whether I wanted to or not," laughed Hagan.
Hagan was also given some praise on her answer on gun control, stating that the best way to deal with the topic is through education.
Although Hagan won as Miss New York 2012, a town in Alabama is also celebrating her win. Anna Laura Bryan represented Miss Alabama 2012 at the Miss America 2013, but in Opelika, Ala., 60 miles east of Montgomery, the town of 26,000 people rejoiced.
"It couldn't have happened to a better kid," said Tina Gunnels to the Associated Press, whose son attended Opelika High School with Hagan. "When Mallory was like 13 years old she was sitting on my deck and said, 'Miss Tina, my goal is one day I'd like to grow up to be Miss America. "She accomplished that goal."
Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan Press Conference After Her Win:
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