5 Things to Expect From the 2016 Miss America Pageant: Vanessa Williams Returns, Nick Jonas Picks the Jams

What else does the 95th competition on ABC have in store?

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 01: All 52 contestants from the 2016 Miss America Competition pose in Times Square as Miss America takes over New York City on the road to the 95th Anniversary Of The Miss America Competition on September 1, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Miss America)

The 2016 Miss America Competition will crown a new winner on Sunday in a live broadcast that will air on ABC.

The pageant, featuring 52 women representing each state plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, will crown one winner who will embark on a year-long national tour. The winner will participate in speaking engagements and charitable events to promote their chosen platform.

From Nick Jonas serving as music curator and Chris Harrison returning to host, TheWrap runs down five things to expect from the ABC’s broadcast below:

1. Nick Jonas playing DJ

8_1_15_Nick_Jonas_Stevens_Kabik_043
The pop star will curate the music the night of the pageant, handpicking the songs that will accompany not only the swimsuit and evening gown competitions during the show, but also the contestants’ opening number.

“They knew I had music-directed and creative-directed Demi Lovato‘s tour last year, and it’s a role I really enjoy, when I can kind of sit behind the scenes and create the atmosphere by way of music,” Jonas said in an interview with TheWrap last month.

2. The return of Vanessa Williams

Thirty-two years after being forced to resign, former Miss America Vanessa Williams will make her triumphant return to the program as head judge.

Crowned the first African American Miss America, Williams was ousted after 10 months when nude photos from her past appeared in Penthouse magazine. She went on to sell over 7 million records worldwide, and earn 4 Emmy nominations, 17 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations, 7 NAACP Image Awards, 3 Satellite Awards and ultimately a Golden Globe, Grammy and an Oscar for Best Original Song for her platinum single “Colors of the Wind,” from the Disney film “Pocahontas.”

3. A diverse panel of judges

ZENDAYAJoining Williams on the panel of judges are country musician Brett Eldredge; wife of the U.S. Navy Seal portrayed in “American Sniper,” Taya Kyle; actress Danica McKellar; “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary; Paralympian Amy Purdy; and Disney Channel star Zendaya.

4. Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke-Charvet to return as co-hosts

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 19: Chris Harrison attends WE Tv Presents: The Evolution of Relationship Reality Shows at The Paley Center For Media on March 19, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for WE tv)
The host of ABC’s reality dating series “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” Harrison will return for his seventh year of hosting the “Miss America” pageant. This year, he will be joined by former “Dancing With the Stars” host Brooke Burke-Charvet, who last hosted the pageant in 2013.

5. America’s choice

ABC/ Ida Mae Astute
For the first time in the pageant’s 95 years, fans were able to vote for their favorite contestant on Facebook and Twitter. The winner will automatically move forward to the top 15.

The “2016 Miss America Competition” will broadcast on ABC Sunday, Sept. 13 at 9 p.m. ET.

Comments