San Diegan Arianna Afsar competing for Miss America crown
She’s been missing chocolate and sleep but otherwise, San Diegan Arianna Afsar is having a great time representing California at the Miss America pageant this week.She and her fellow contestants have been in Las Vegas for a whirlwind of activity which culminates tonight with a televised broadcast at 9 p.m. on ABC.
“It’s crazy busy but it’s been such a great experience,” Afsar said during a telephone interview Thursday morning between rehearsals, publicity events and preliminaries.
She is confident she did well in the preliminary talent portion of the competition Tuesday when she sang the romantic ballad “I (Who Have Nothing)” for the judges. “I was happy with my performance and it’s one of my favorite songs,” said Afsar, a former American Idol contestant who made it to the singing contest’s top 36 in 2009.
Afsar, 19, is an aspiring actress and singer who has had leading parts in local musical productions at the Old Globe and the Starlight theaters. The 2009 graduate of Westview High School is a student at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Although Afsar’s talent and work ethic make her a strong contender, her youth could be a detriment in the national pageant, Bob Arnhym, president and CEO of the Miss California pageant said in an earlier interview. More than half of this year’s Miss America contestants are 21 or older.
Afsar said she feels she’s matured since winning the Miss California contest in July. “I don’t freak out (about performing and competing) anymore. I feel more confident,” Afsar said. “I enjoy everything a lot more. I feel so prepared.” She’s given up her favorite chocolate brownies in preparation for the swimsuit competition and the stress and adrenaline of the pre-pageant activities have cut into her sleeping time but Afsar said it’s been a fun, exciting time.
Although Miss America contestants from the Golden State have often placed in the top 10, it’s been more than a quarter century since a Miss California won the national crown. Debra Maffett of Anaheim was named Miss America in 1983.
“I feel a bit of pressure because Miss California did so well last year (she was 1st runner-up),” Afsar said. “California usually does pretty well. Hopefully, I won’t ruin that trend.”
The pageant is celebrating its 90th anniversary and if Afsar wins tonight, she would be the 7th Miss California to become Miss America.
Previous Miss California winners who were crowned Miss America include Lee Meriwether, who went on to become an actress. The closest a San Diegan has come to winning the national crown was when Suzanne Maria Reamo, Miss California of 1960, was 1st runner-up at the Miss America pageant.
News From: www.signonsandiego.com
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