|
 Shields, a native of Fayetteville and student at the
University of Arkansas, was one of seven finalists given 20
seconds to answer highly topical questions on some controversial
issues, such as immigration and Clinton rival, Donald Trump.
Asked what her take was on Clinton, Shields offered that "if
you're trying to be leader of the free world, everything you say
and do matters."
She noted that the media has sensationalized the campaign so
that it was "hard to tell what is truth and scandal," then added
that "both these candidates have done a great job, but they also
need to watch what they're doing."
Shields, who adopted "eat better, live better" as her platform
for the competition, earlier performed a jazz dance to "They
Just Keep Moving the Line" from the TV show "Smash."
The first runner-up was Rachel Wyatt, Miss South Carolina, who
fielded a question about immigration in the United States. She
was followed by contestants from New York, Washington and
Mississippi.
Missouri's Erin O'Flaherty, who in June became the first openly
lesbian contestant in the history of the nearly century-old
pageant, failed to make the first cut of 15 selected from 52
entrants from the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and
Puerto Rico.
Shields went into Sunday's live two-hour ABC broadcast from
Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. with the advantage of
having prevailed earlier in the week during preliminary judging
in the talent competition.
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Wearing a black strapless gown, she was crowned by the outgoing
title holder, Betty Cantrell.
The pageant returned to the seaside gambling resort a few years ago
after nearly a decade in Las Vegas. It was dropped by ABC in 2004
following a steep ratings decline, but returned after years on
cable.
Judges, including singer Ciara, scored contestants who ranged in age
from 18 to the cut-off of 24 based on talent, the live question
segment, a personal interview and appearances in gowns and
swimsuits.
Most of the finalists drew on music or dance for the talent portion,
but some opted for pageant staples such as baton-twirling.
The winner receives a six-figure salary, expenses for the year and a
$50,000 scholarship.
(Reporting by Chris Michaud; Editing by Michael Perry)
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