WEST PALM BEACH — It was a night of star-spangled style, familiar faces and dazzling designs as all 104 Miss America and Miss America's Teen delegates for 2027 walked the red carpet at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.
Friends and family were present on Friday, Sept. 4, as the young women took their turns on the fabled walkway, many standing on the sidelines grabbing pictures and videos. Even delegates who walked would snap pictures for their friends who may have just started their journeys to the carpet.
They were joined by a number of past Miss America winners, going as far back as having Vonda Van Dyke, Miss America 1965, on hand.
Also in attendance were sponsors for the organization, such as Niki Lassiter, a handbag stylist whose work
was in the hands of every delegate, as well as decorated military veterans and officers representing the USO.
The ceremonies to crown this year's winners will take place this weekend in West Palm Beach. The pageants were scheduled to announce the Miss America's Teen winner at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The Miss America pageant will crown its 2027 winner at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, at the convention center.
The red carpet event was also the first time that pageant-goers got to see the hosts for the 21st Miss America's Teen and 99th Miss America crowning, Jennifer Hale and Billy Gilman.
Hale is a Fox NFL and college football sideline reporter who has also been featured on Fox News' morning show, "Fox and Friends." Her work in sports broadcasting has included covering the NBA Playoffs and the Westminster Dog Show. She has won multiple Emmys and Edward R. Murrow and Associated Press awards.
She is also a survivor of cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle that lessens its ability to pump blood throughout the body, and has become a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association.
Hale is the CEO and founder of All Access Sideline Pass, a nonprofit that works to empower young women through mentorship and that has awarded $250,000 in scholarships to date.
Gilman is returning for his second year of hosting. The Rhode Island native rose to fame at just 11 years old with his debut single "One Voice." His debut album went double platinum, and just one year later, he became the youngest artist to top the Billboard's County Albums charts.
His latest album has produced five hits, and throughout his career, he has gone on to receive nominations for a Grammy Award, a Country Music Award, an Academy of Country Music Award, a Billboard Award and an American Music Award.
Catch a glimpse behind the scenes of the night and take a look at the many red, white and blue outfits.
Check out the many faces who walked the Miss America red carpet
The pageant is taking place in South Florida for the first time, and will be staged in West Palm Beach through 2028. It called Atlantic City its home for decades before moving to locations such as Las Vegas and Florida. Last year, it took place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando.
Its events will be livestreamed on pageantvision.tv.
Arianna Otero covers breaking news for The Palm Beach Post. Contact her via email at AOtero@pbpost.com and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miss America in West Palm: Red carpet night lets the glamour shine
