Free Republic

One might have thought beauty pageants, throwbacks to a pre-1960s world, would be political correctness-free zones. This is not the case as Marissa Powell—aka Miss Utah—learned the hard way Sunday night when she flubbed a politically-charged question at the Miss USA pageant. The 21-year-old became an instant media sensation, ridiculed as a brainless beauty. The question was posed by Miss USA pageant judge and “Real Housewives” star NeNe Leakses. It could have been planted by the Obama administration. Note to mothers who aspire to turn their daughters into beauty pageant contestants: subscribe to Ms. magazine. It's boring and behind the...

Miss Utah Marissa Powell, who looked stunning in a white strapless evening gown at the Miss USA pageant, bombed her final onstage question last night at the Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort in Las Vegas. "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star/Miss USA judge NeNe Leakes asked Powell, who was named the most photogenic at the pageant, to answer the following question: "A recent report shows that in 40% of American families with children, women are the primary earners, yet they continue to earn less than men. What does this say about society?" This is a great question, and something you'd expect...

Soldier Journals Her Run at Miss America Nov 19, 2007 BY Beth Reece Sgt. Jill Stevens of the Utah National Guard is a top contender for the 2008 Miss America competition, which takes place Jan. 26. Catch print and video coverage of Sgt. Stevens' journey through pageantry and the Army's ranks at www.army.mil/gijill Photo by Beth Reece WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 19, 2007) - One of the Army's own will take a shot at the "Miss America 2008" title Jan. 26 in Las Vegas and a new Army Web site that goes live today will follow her progress. A...