Miss America 1981- Crowning: Susan Powell, Miss Oklahoma

[@justinafields4450]

SO HEART WARMING TO SEE THE LOVELY AND KIND MISS LENCOLA SULLIVAN HERE, A PAST COLLEGE ROOMMATE OF MINE... 🙏👏👍❤️💜💝✌️🙏

[@haggiefatigue2971]

Miss Arkansas, you were a CLASS ACT!

[@paulaward6764]

I thought Susan was very pretty and very talented! What a talent she had with that opera voice! I can see why she won!

[@MrRemark21]

Aired on NBC Saturday, September 6, 1980.

[@smith4496]

Ron Ely passed away on September 29, 2024, at the age of 86. He was the first actor to play Tarzan on tv in 1966.

[@kingporter67]

Only one time Ron Ely hosted this 1981 Miss America Pageant, excellent crowning on Susan Powell!!

[@georgecarter9544]

Ron Ely hosted the pageant the following year as well for Miss America 1982, Elizabeth Ward.

[@roycobb8268]

​@@georgecarter9544 you're right 👍. Ron Ely hosted the pageant twice. Both in 1980 and 1981.

[@zosimodegala2589]

I like the reaction of a winner,her facial expression is really spontaneous

[@muscled57]

Paige Phillips probably won talent by a lot, but perhaps the judges thought she was a bit young (17) to win?? Just speculating...but Susan was a spectacular Miss America, and appeared thrilled at this win..

[@annerector8765]

Paige was much prettier than Susan Powell.

[@annerector8765]

Well, thank you very much :-) !

[@elfowl6873]

@@annerector8765 BUT!!!, beauty isn"t the only factor in winning the pageant. I think Susan was prettier myself.

[@Juliaflo]

@228candy Ms. Cooper also did not 'fulfill the duties of the title'; a picture was taken of an empty winner's chair, surrounded by the runners-up.

[@renegaderunner332]

Susan Powell was more attractive and was more sophisticated. This was likely due to the fact that she was older. Miss America is a comprehensive pageant. Susan probably outdid her in all the other areas. I would have selected her over Paige.

[@brookekobasher5125]

Probably an unpopular opinion, but I actually like this version of There She Is, Miss America

[@ricpel9975]

Susan Powell was gorgeous, she probably still is.

[@grace-sv9id]

Artsic she’s not dead, my moms boyfriends brother Richard white aka the original voice of Gaston in beauty and the beast is married to her -_- her cats name is Alexander and he’s a tuxedo cat. And she is still gorgeous!!

[@seanscommentary]

so 2nd and 3rd runners-up were tied, but got different scholarship amounts? that doesn't seem fair lol

[@jameshamilton8245]

To all saying that Susan Powell was not the best choice I would like to say that in any competition where scoring is in part subjective to personal preference of the judges there will always be someone to suggest the judges made the wrong decision.. I happen to not believe they did so.. I remember watching that night and recall that year they began the broadcast with clips of the contestants during the Boardwalk Parade that kicks off the completions. And right from the start Susan Powell, Miss Oklahoma was a standout who looked promising if she had the talent and interview skills to match her looks. And her talent was mesmerizing. I would still remember it today even if I had not run across it after joining You Tube. I do not even recall what any of the other top 10 did for their talent that year. And Susan has always done what the song says about adding luster to the crown she wore.

[@elfowl2592]

Susan was the third Miss Oklahoma to win the crown at that time, there were three more winners after Susan! The last was Lauren Nelson, Miss America 2007.

[@Juliaflo]

I think there were two--Jennifer Berry (2006) and, Miss Nelson in 2007.

[@Juliaflo]

My bad, I forgot about Shawntel Smith, Miss America 1996. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@elfowl135]

Norma Smallwood, Miss America 1926, Tulsa, Oklahoma, I rest my case, the third Miss America from Oklahoma.

[@elfowl135]

No No, we're talking at the 1981 Miss America Pageant, at that time there were three Miss america's, Norma Smallwood, Jayne Jayroe, Susan Powell was the third. I won, I won!! I won. Shawntell came after what we're talking about, not 1995. hard to beat me one the Miss Americas, I've been a fan for over 50 years, know all of the facts on all of them!!! Have a GREAT DAY BABE!!!!

[@Juliaflo]

I have been a fan since that time, too. (Don't figure out my age, LOLOLOLOLOLOL). Happy Thanksgiving.

[@Wheeloffortunefan999]

is that ron ely from "face the music" hosting?

[@annerector8765]

Yep, he was also TARZAN

[@winrx]

She looks like someone who would have won during the 40s and 50s - the 80s really.....?

[@elfowl2592]

They were even better back then. I agree!!!!!!!!

[@MrRee-rs5dm]

She was a terrific Miss America. I pick her to win.

[@renegaderunner332]

Agreed!

[@timothyleon558]

One of the best. *Don’t be fooled by her her decision not to go with the big hair like EVERYONE else.

[@pageantconsultant]

What was up with the tie?

[@larkatmic]

pageantconsultant High fashion from 1975 till around 1983. Thanks to Saturday night fever and disco ugh :/

[@georgecarter9544]

There were a few ties through the years. The 12 minute delay in 1988 was a tie between CA and OK for 2nd RU, and it took the 12 minutes to break it. Prior to this 1980 pageant, there was a tie in 1969 between CA and NJ for 2nd RU...there are others even earlier, but I can't remember that far back without looking them up.

[@jessestewart169]

point system.

[@kendalson7100]

Ron Ely was so tall!

[@MrRee-rs5dm]

Stop with the Paige Phillips should have won. Whoever made her up made her look 40 years old. She was only 17! They got the winner right and most people agree.

[@elfowl6873]

But, You're not a judge, only an audience judge...Paige Phillips was a wonderful talent, but there is other the judgement process that decided the outcome, interview, among other qualifications. Thats way the poor dear lost .

[@vernskid]

Needed Bert Parks, sorry Ron.

[@bennettbb2736]

I hate it when Susan Powell returns as a judge because each time she is a judge, Oklahoma, her home state, WINS!!!

[@elfowl135]

Not necessarily, she was only a judge once.

[@renegaderunner332]

That 's not true!

[@emmarose4234]

Susan Powell was a judge at Miss America 1995. Miss Alabama won. CASE CLOSED!

[@timothyleon558]

A lie

[@timothyleon558]

There’s some grapes in the fridge… kinda sour!

[@renegaderunner332]

Lencola Sullivan should have won.

[@timothyleon558]

Not by a long shot No way They got it right

[@bingovegas4867]

So stupid with all those finalists...always keep it at five...let the tension build for them and us!

[@frugalwitch]

Paige Phillips should have won. If she was old enough to compete, she was old enough to win. She was unfairly robbed.

[@tjnaran8353]

Paige didn't win because nobody wanted to deal with her overbearing stage mother

[@randalkinnear2552]

She was not always a very nice person..

[@timothyleon558]

She spoke highly of you. Very nice of her!