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Susan Akin’s talent performace in September 1985…(read more at source)
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@jasuzu This is the whole package when it comes to talent. She might not be the best vocalist but everything about this song was right. I think people miss that when they look at new and old talents. You can have an opera singer who is vocally perfect but has not emotion or feeling. You can have a pianist who is technically perfect but chose the wrong song and dress. From her hair, to her dress, to her gestures, to her perfectally coordinated movements, to her voice, to the song choice, it's about execution and the ability to suck you in to the whole song and never stop watching. Who cares if she has gained weight or has a "past", we are all human. What matters is she is a genuine person with a big heart for I have spent time with her. She went to Miss America to win, and every aspect of her was planned and designed perfectally, not to mention she is drop dead gorgeous. I remember being 15 and watching this and going wow. Miss Mississippi has a history of preparing their delegates well, down to their fingernail polish and earrings. So in my opinion she is the epÃtome of Miss America because she went there to compete and won because of her hard work, styling, coaching and preparation. You didn't go back then to make friends. You went to win. Today Miss America is a joke. But I love watching old school Miss Americas because it was a COMPETITION……and the girls "brought it" there is no doubt Susan set the bar of how to win Miss America
Confessed racist
💩 😂
Susan Akin is the granddaughter of Bernard L. Akin, a conspirator in the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner of 1964. The Meridian Star reported Akin's response to her grandfather's involvement, "That's something that doesn't involve me. I wasn't even born and can't be involved in this. And the people who have taken it out of context thinking they can drag me down, cannot and they're not."
Akin openly opposed mixed marriages with the New York Press quoting her as saying, "I feel at this time intermixing could lead to more problems."
Wasn't her dad a member of the kkk?
30+ years later I stilll love her AND her performance
how did we go from this to a solo cup performance? What was lost?
Stunning – a clear winner that year. Bring back 10 semi-finalists competing in talent, evening gown. The 2020 pageant was mind boggling to follow –
She certainly was very pretty, but her talent truly sucked.
Along with Gary Collins, Kathy Lee Gifford co-hosted her first pageant that night. She was Kathy Lee Johnson at the time. Susan was such a beautiful winner.
Perfect. Pageant. Hair. LOVE LOVE LOVE Susan Akin!! 🙂
ah………She sings pretty………….
For you ppl saying Susan is now an overweight drug addict…you are wrong! She is a soccer mom with kids and MAY be 20 pounds heavier. She is STILL gorgeous!
She will always be the quintessential Miss America to me!Â
not the best talent by any means!
Gorgeous!!!
Mrs. Susan has been a great friend to me up here on Signal Mountain, TN. Sadly though, she moved back to Mississippi. Her daughter is also growing up to be beautiful, she is 18 maybe 19 now.
Sat behind this beautiful woman in freshman biology @ Ole Miss – amazing vocal talent I never heard from her in the classroom – – if you read this comment , Susan – I hope you are happy & in great health these days !!
This is my next door neighbour check it 913 olsen avenue signal mountain tenneessee she lives with my best friend the "Witts". Shes really cool nothin like she used to be.
this is my cousin 🙂
@raspberryman1968 Mary Ann was not at the 90th anniversary pageant.
Singing style and phrasing very similar to Debbie Maffet – good coaching and making the most out of a song! Very pretty lady!
She battled a drug problem… She's not involved with this program at all anymore, but yes she is huge now!
She is physically perfect in every way!
@Parker528 I'm baised. She was in my high-school class and a friend since we were 6 years old.
I think the problem is variations in the playback of the VHS tape. I watched this performance live and remember that she kicked this song's ass! It's hard to see (or hear) from this. At least someone has a copy of it. Thanks for posting!
no no, it's the old video. It warps the sound a little I think. I'm hearing this in a lot of VCR recordings posted to youtube. The background melody sounds weird.
In days of old, the pageant would name the top 10 semifinalists, have them compete in all aspects of the pageant, that is, talent, swimsuit, and evening gown, then select the top five, ask them a question, and then rank them, from fourth runner-up to Miss America. Someone should have left well enough alone, changing times notwithstanding.
This was such a major part of my teenage years. She is the consummate beauty queen, then and now. Love you Susan!
they sure don't make them like they used to…atta girl Susan!
I agree….she's just hot!
I loved her then… I love her now!!!