The 13-day event that is the 2016 Miss America Competition will soon come to an exciting end as we finally find out who will be taking home the crown. The 52 contestants, seven celebrity judges and everyone else involved in The Miss America Organization, Dick Clark Productions and ABC for this iconic event have been in Atlantic City, N.J., since Labor Day as they work together to decide who the 95th Miss America will be. Last year, we saw Miss New York Kira Kazantsev come out on top, and on Sunday, she will be passing on the crown.
Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke-Charvet will host the highly anticipated event, and Nick Jonas will be putting on an awesome performance. While there's so much to know about the 52 contestants, seven celebrity judges have been picked to help choose whom they believe fits the title best. With Vanessa Williams returning to the stage and Brett Eldredge, Zendaya, Kevin O'Leary, Amy Purdy, Taya Kyle and Danica McKellar all taking their spots on the judging panel, we're in for quite the amazing show as they honor style, beauty, service, scholarship, talent and success. Here's everything you need to know about the seven celebrity judges and what they have to say about this opportunity to be a part of such an influential and memorable experience.
Tune in to ABC to watch Miss America 2016 live from Atlantic City on Sunday, Sept. 13 as they crown a winner.
Vanessa Williams
As a former Miss America with a somewhat questionable past, Williams is returning to the stage for the first time in 32 years. The 53-year-old beauty queen will be taking on the role as head judge for this year's competition after being the first African-American woman to be given the crown back in 1984, as HNGN previously reported. Williams' story is an interesting one, though, as she was forced to give up the crown 10 months later after some nude photos from Penthouse made their way into the public eye.
"We recognize that Vanessa's return to Miss America on Sunday September 13th is a special cultural and television moment," Dick Clark Productions President Mike Mahan said in the press release. "We are both honored and excited that she will take center stage for the 95th Anniversary of the competition."
As for Williams' personal thoughts on returning to the pageant, she just wants to show people that things change. "It's a new day here," she told "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview. "There's a lot of people that do feel that I should return...and they are inviting me back as an example of, 'This is what can happen to you in your life.' And there might be some more surprises. So we'll see."
Brett Eldredge
The 29-year-old country singer, who is the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year, was the first judge to be announced for this year's competition. His second album "Illinois" was just released this week, and the hit single "Lose My Mind" is in the top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart, according to Billboard. His first album, "Bring You Back," had three No. 1 singles: "Don't Ya," "Beat of the Music" and "Mean to Me."
When he found out he was going to be a judge, he was ecstatic. "I get to judge Miss America. Are you kidding me?!" Eldredge said in his statement. "Talk about a dream come true! I can't wait to be a part of this."
As for why he's so excited, he explained to People that this is "a boy's dream." "These women represent America," he said. "They display their talents, their beauty and their minds. And as a judge I get to be a part of that. It's beyond beauty - it's that they have it together and they know what they want."
Zendaya
At just 19 years old, Zendaya is the youngest member to join the judging panel this year. The beautiful young singer, who started on the Disney Channel and then went on to compete on "Dancing With The Stars," has become a popular fashion figure, as well as someone who truly stands up for what she believes in.
"It's great to be a part of a show that celebrates women who are in college or graduated and striving to make the world a better place through their chosen platform, ranging from domestic violence and bullying to cancer research and female empowerment, while also embracing beauty and fashion," Zendaya said in her statement. "I remember watching Miss America as a kid so it's an honor to help celebrate the 95th anniversary of the competition and to help select the next Miss America."
Amy Purdy
Purdy was diagnosed with Meningococcal Meningitis at just 19 years old and had to have both of her legs amputated, but that did not stop her from beating all of the odds, according to Fox News. She became a famous and talented Paralympic snowboarder and even competed on "Dancing With The Stars." As an incredible snowboarder, person and activist for those with disabilities, Purdy, 35, has accomplished more in just 15 years than most do in a lifetime.
As for judging, Purdy is excited to see what these women have to prove for themselves. "I'm really interested in what they do as far as giving back and the amount of work they have to do and the amount of philanthropy," she told Fox News. "I'm very interested in these women and what their backgrounds are and what they are passionate about. Also, their talents, that's something they work towards their entire lives."
"Miss America celebrates strong women who are passionate about serving as an advocate for their communities and strive to make a positive impact," she said in her statement. "I'm honored to be a part of an organization with such a long and dedicated history of giving back."
Taya Kyle
Taya is the wife of the late U.S. Navy SEAL "American Sniper" Chris Kyle. At 40 years old, Taya has been through a lot since Chris was shot and killed in February 2013. Since he passed, she's been focused on raising their two children and continuing to work, but she is open to whatever the future holds and hopes she can use her words of wisdom to inspire others who may go through similar things. "I have been very stubborn in my mindset that I didn't need that - that God gave me enough for a lifetime, but I also realize that my plans are not the way life goes," she told People earlier this year. "Now I'm just sort of letting go of any illusion that I really have control. Giving up control and just trying to be happy at the moment has proven to be the best thing for me."
Miss America proudly brought Taya on as a judge, and she couldn't be more excited about it, either. "The Miss America Organization provides millions of dollars in annual college scholarship assistance making it the largest scholarship program for women in the United States," she said in her statement. "I am honored to be a part of an organization that not only helps the contestants but their communities and children as well. The women who compete in this program contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised over $10 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships.'
Kevin O'Leary
As one of the fiercest judges on the hit show "Shark Tank," O'Leary should be a great addition to the panel. The 61-year-old judge is used to this kind of thing, so he's well prepared for the competition to start. He even followed all 52 contestants on social media so he could get some inside information prior to the show, according to ABC. He's even in it for the business aspect of the show, and what these contestants have planned for their future instead of the overall beauty and glamor that people typically only see it for. "Tell me you're going to use the platform and the branding to start a business and I will make you Miss America because that's an amazing outcome for somebody," he said. "It's not just about putting a crown on a beautiful woman, it's about what she's going to do with it from that second forward."
When he was first added to the panel of judges, he knew how big of a deal this was. "This Miss America Title is a remarkable platform and an extraordinary opportunity for any woman that is awarded it," he said in his statement. "As a judge, I'll be looking for the woman that can best articulate how she will use this opportunity to advance a charity that will help others and/or build a business that will employ Americans, and above all use the title to encourage other young women to do the same. There is a reason that The Miss America Organization has been around since 1921 - it has helped young women make a difference for multiple generations. I'm very proud to be involved."
Danica McKellar
The 40-year-old actress is best known for her role on "The Wonder Years," as HNGN previously reported. She has also competed on "Dancing With The Stars" and made many appearances in hit television shows. When she found out she would be working for this organization, she was extremely excited because it shares a lot of the same views as she does.
"The Miss America Organization shares my passion for the advancement of women in the STEM fields and celebrates smart, strong women - exactly aligning with the messages in my math books aimed at empowering young women," she said in her statement. "I am proud to be part of the show and an organization that is such a huge advocate for education."
She posted a photo to Instagram following the news writing, "Excited to announce I'll be a judge at #MissAmerica next month to celebrate talent, intelligence and beauty, inside & out, awarding scholarships to celebrate these well-rounded women."
