LAS VEGAS (AP) — A woman who grew up in Alabama and moved to New York City is the new Miss America, winning the title after tap dancing to a James Brown tune, deftly dealing with a question about guns, and raising the issue of child sexual abuse in her contestant platform.


In addition to dancing to "Get Up Off of That Thing," 23-year-old Mallory Hagan strutted down the runway during the Las Vegas pageant Saturday night in an asymmetrical white gown and donned a revealing black string bikini.


She won a $50,000 college scholarship and a year as an instant celebrity and role model to many girls as she defeated Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers, who took second, and Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton, who finished third.

  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Miss America, Mallory Hytes Hagan, of New York, poses during a news conference after she was crowned during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, waves on stage during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned the new Miss America.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, competes in the swimsuit competition during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned the new Miss America.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, competes in the swimsuit competition during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned the new Miss America.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, competes in the swimsuit competition during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned the new Miss America.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, competes in the talent competition during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned the new Miss America.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, competes in the evening gown competition during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned the new Miss America.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, competes in the evening gown competition during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned the new Miss America.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, competes in the evening gown competition during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned the new Miss America.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Host Brooke Burke Charvet (L) holds a microphone for Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, as she answers a question during the interview portion at the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned the new Miss America.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Ali Rogers (L), Miss South Carolina, and Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, wait for the announcement of the new Miss America during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagan went on to be crowned.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Ali Rogers (L), Miss South Carolina, and Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, react after the announcement of the new Miss America during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, reacts after the announcement that she was chosen the new Miss America during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Ali Rogers (L), Miss South Carolina, and Mallory Hytes Hagan, Miss New York, react after the announcement of the new Miss America during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler crowns Mallory Hytes Hagan of New York the new Miss America during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...
  • 2013 Miss America: Mallory Hytes Hagan

    Miss New York Mallory Hytes Hagan is crowned the new Miss America during the 2013 Miss America Pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 12, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    David Becker/Getty Images
    David Becker/Getty Images
    loading...

More From KKRC-FM / 97.3 KKRC