MISS USA PAGEANT 2000 - Miss USA 2000: Lynnette Cole, Tennessee - Entertainment - http://maxpages.com/beautypageants/2000_Miss_USA

Picture above courtesy of Miss Tennessee USA.

Send in your Miss USA Pageant viewer comments to beauty_pageant99@hotmail.com. I would love to know what you thought of the pageant.

This just in...

The 2001 Miss Pennsylvania USA Pageant will take place on March 19, 2000. This is the 1st state preliminary to the 2001 Miss USA Pageant to be held in Gary, Indiana for the 50th Annivarsary. The Miss Alabama USA Pageant will take place April 2. 2000.

Check out photos of newly crowned Miss USA, Lynnette Cole. To view the photos just click on the photo to enlage.

Miss USA 2000: Branson, Missouri

This was by far the best Miss USA Pageant ever. Comments can be mixed up because people who have watched the Miss USA Pageant for over 10 years, saw major changes last night. I have been watching Miss USA since 1993, and I loved it. Overall, a very entertaining pageant with lots of suprises.

Opening Number:

I did not like the fact that the delegates were introduced backstage. That looked so cheap. The delegates were introduced in different parts of the theater. Each delegates got about a 4 second cameo and thats it. We couldn't even enjoy it because they moved to fast. California looked great. Connecticut was my favorite for the crown but once I saw her, she didn't look as expected. Ohio looked nice and had alot of crowd support. The presentations went a little too fast but overall good presentation. After all the delegates were introduced, they got their wooden chairs and began to dance with them. They did a little hip and arm action. I can see that the delegates really worked hard on this. The Jill Stuart dresses looked 80% better on TV. 8 minutes into the show, the top 10 were ready to be announced. Great Opening Number!

Alabama: Jina Mitchell, 22

Alaska: Laurie Ann Miller, 21

Arizona: Heather Keckler, 26

Arkansas: Whitney Lea Moore, 22

California: Rebekah Ann Keller, 25

Colorado: Tiani Jones, 23

Connecticut: Sallie Toussaint, 25

Delaware: Jennifer Behm, 23

District of Columbia: Juel April Casamayor, 26

Florida: Kristin Ludecke, 23

Georgia: Patti Dunn, 24

Hawaii: Michelle Kaplan , 23

Idaho: Brooke Jennifer Gambrell, 26

Illinois: Constance Renee Stoetzer, 26

Indiana: Kristal Michelle Wile, 23

Iowa: Jensie Grigsby, 26

Kansas: Tiffany Meyer, 23

Kentucky: Jolene Youngster, 23

Louisiana: Jennifer Dupont, 18

Maine: Jennifer Lyn Hunt, 21

Maryland: Christie S. Davis, 21

Massachusetts: Rosalie M. Allain, 25

Michigan: Jill Dobson, 22

Minnesota: Paige Swenson, 24

Mississippi: Angie Michelle Carpenter, 22

Missouri: Denette Roderick, 24

Montana: Brandi Bjorklund, 20

Nebraska: Valarie Cook, 22

Nevada: Alicia Denyse Carnes, 22

New Hampshire: Bridget Jane Vezina, 19

New Jersey: Michelle Graci, 21

New Mexico: Christina Ortega, 23

New York: Carrie Tucker, 25

North Carolina: Portia Lyndell Johnson, 20

North Dakota: Amie Hoffner, 24

Ohio: Cheya R. Watkins, 22

Oklahoma: Amanda Penix, 21

Oregon: Elizabeth Heitmanek, 19

Pennsylvania: Angela L. Patla, 26

Rhode Island: Heidi St. Pierre, 23

South Carolina: Lisa Rabon, 24

South Dakota: Vanessa Short Bull, 21

Tennessee: Lynnette Cole, 21

Texas: Heather Ogilvie, 22

Utah: Keri Hatfield, 22

Vermont: Katie Bolton, 22

Virginia: Crystal Marie Jones, 26

Washington: Jamie Marie Kern, 22

West Virginia: Tara Shae Wilson, 22

Wisconsin: Samantha Picha, 20

Wyoming: Rebecca Smith, 20

Top 10:

Man was I in for suprises. My Predicitions were way off. I had Tennessee, Connecticut and Kansas leading my list. Because of the redefined Miss USA Pageant, all the top picks were not going to make it. My heart pounded as the 1st name was called.

Official Miss USA Top 10:

(Last time State made Semi-Finals, Placement)

South Carolina: Lisa Rabon, 24 (1999, Finalist)

Colorado: Tiani Jones, 23 (1989, Semi-Finalist)

Iowa: Jensie Grigsby, 26 (1993, Semi-Finalist)

New Hampshire: Bridget Jane Vezina, 19 (1980, Semi-Finalist)

Kansas: Tiffany Meyer, 23 (1996, 1st Runner Up)

Michigan: Jill Dobson, 22 (1999, Semi-Finalist)

Alabama: Jina Mitchell, 22 (1997, Semi-Finalist)

Tennessee: Lynnette Cole, 21 (1999, 1st Runner Up)

Georgia: Patti Dunn, 24 (1993, 1st Runner Up)

New York: Carrie Tucker, 25 (1999, Miss USA)

Lots of suprsises here. No Connecticut! After months of saying Connecticut will win, she didn't even make top 10. My theory is that, she did well in Evening Gown. Her Interview most likely brought her down alot. So happy that 2 former Miss Teen USA Delegates made it, Tennessee (1995) & Kansas (1994). Michigan keeps the streak going making the semi-finals 3 years in a row. I only got 4 of the 10. I was a little disapointed because Illinois didn't make it, we have not made top 10 since 1996. A little suprised with Alabama and New Hampshire, where did they come from? Biggest dissapointments: California, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Missouri. Oh well, the top 10 were picked and time for the competition to begin.

Interview:

The "Meet the Press" feature was used this year. The questions that were asked were all about the delegates life and the world around her. I don't really like it, I prefer the original Interview with hard questions but this feature shows how well a delegate can do under pressure.

1. Tennessee. 9.81
2. New Hampshire: 9.58
3. Alabama: 9.54
4. New York: 9.47
5. Michigan: 9.44
6. Kansas: 9.36
7. Georgia: 9.29
8. Colorado: 9.21
9. Iowa: 9.10
10. South Carolina: 8.74

Tennessee ran away with this competion. She was poised, beautiful and very unique. South Carolina seemed very nervous and kind of faultered. Michigan did a great Interview. For the most part, all the delegates did well. They were all smart and articulate.

Speedo Swimuits to Mambo #5:

Overall this competition was kind of slow. The audience wasn't to enthusiastic. The remaining 41 delegates were all on stage modeling and playing different instruments. Lou Bega performered his hit "Mambo #5". It seemed a little unreharsed. The audio was terrible and what was the point of Lou to be there? Miss Universe Org. might have just played the music. I hate to watch a pageant and see delegates with alot of surgery and ribs showing. Fortuantly, all of them were left out of top 10.

1. Tennessee: 9.64
2. Kansas: 9.53
3. Georgia: 9.52
4. Alabama: 9.51
5. South Carolina: 9.39
6. New Hampshire: 9.32
7. Colorado: 9.26
8. Michigan: 9.07
9. New York: 9.06
10. Iowa: 8.95

Lets see... Iowa really deserved the 8.95. She had 2 unattractive black moles on her stomach. Tennessee won this competition receiving a $2500 modeling contract with Speedo. She had the most toned body though she is already skinny, she didn't need to suck in her stomach. Kansas looked great with her hair pulled back. Alabama began to shine. Colorado had beautiful long toned legs. I felt so sorry for Oklahoma, she deserved to be in top 10 but instead she was used in the background playing a saxaphpone. Overall, pretty good swimsuit competition. The swimsuits looked ok. Much better than the ones last year. Goog Job!

Evening Gowns:

Out of the previous 2 competitions, this was the best. Much better than 1999, with country singer Colin Ray. All the delegates looked beautiful. Alaska's dressed was made in 48 hours by her and her mom, it looked like it. Most of the gowns in top 10 were made by New York designers.

1. Alabama: 9.93
2. Tennessee: 9.78
3. Kansas: 9.63
4. Georgia: 9.41
5. Colorado: 9.33
6. New Hampshire: 9.27
7. South Carolina: 9.24
7. Michigan: 9.24
9. Iowa: 9.02
10. New York: 8.93

Ohhh... after this, Alabama was the clear favorite. She looked like a doll in her beautiful black simple dress. It was absolutely the most stunning dress in top 10. She also got the highest score in Miss USA history. Tennessee's dress was ok, it was a little too bulky in the front but beautiful. Kansas deserved to be 2nd. She had the most beautiful, simple white gown that was made like a turtle neck. Stunning! Colorado had a beautiful gown. Then there were dissapointments... Iowa's dress looked like a Red nightmare. New York's dress was nice with 2 colors but a little too simple. Mark Wills and Brian McKnight did a great job.

Now that the Semi-Finals are over, this was the final bow for 5 delegates.

Finalists: (Average)

Alabama: Jina Mitchell (9.66)

Tennessee: Lynnette Cole (9.74)

New Hampshire: Bridget Jane Vezina (9.39)

Georgia: Patti Dunn (9.40)

Kansas: Tiffany Meyer (9.50)

A great top 5. All deserving of a spot and each ready to take the Miss USA crown. I still didn't know who could be crowned Miss USA 2000. The competition was pretty hot though I had my favorite (Tennessee) right up there.

Who Want's to be Miss USA?

After the finalists were chosen, it was time for the game "Who Wants to be Miss USA?". The parody was like the hit game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"? Overall, dumb questions were asked and didn't seem to show the delegates Interview skills. The delegates had one life line where their parents could answer the question for them. After Alabama, it got pretty old. They had the music and lights just like the show. Tennessee ran away with this competition then Alabama. I was pretty sure Kansas was about to make top 3, I wasn't too sure about Georgia (got very low scores) or New Hampshire.

Final 3:

Tennessee: Lynnette Cole

New Hampshire: Bridget Jane Vezina

Alabama: Jina Mitchell

Great top 3. A little dissapointed because Kansas wasn't up there but she did a great job anyway. I knew now that the final question was going to be the deciding factor for Miss USA 2000.

Other Competitions:

Clairol Style Award: Kristin Ludecke, Florida

Congeniality: Michelle Kaplan, Hawaii

Photogenic: Paige Swenson, Minnesota

Final Question:

The final question was ""Monica Lewinsky is back in the news, making tons of money for a diet company and the people were upset because of the way she became famous. How do you feel about that?".

Tennessee did the best. She answered the question with feeling, poise and dignity. New Hampshire did ok, though she kind of faultered. Alabama messed up big time. I think the crown was hers, but she answered with stutters and was very nervous.

My final prediction was:

2nd: New Hampshire
1st: Alabama
Miss USA 2000: Tennessee

Overall, I thought that Tennessee did the best in the competition. Alabama did very well throughout the night and deserved to be 1st. New Hampshire to me could have either been 1st or 2nd.

Who will be crowned Miss USA 2000?

Kimberly Pressler of New York took her final walk as Miss USA. Nothing to write home about. The farewell speaches have gotten worse every year.

The tension mounted. I knew that Tennessee had to be crowned Miss USA 2000. But I was a little scared because of Alabama.

Final Resuts:

2nd Runner Up: Jina Mitchell, Alabama

1st Runner Up: Bridget Jane Vezina, New Hampshire

Miss USA 2000: Lynnette Cole, Tennessee

YES! Tennessee wins Miss USA 2000! This is the first time Tennessee has won the Miss USA crown. Once Alabama was named 2nd, I knew the crown was Tennesses. New Hampshire snuck into top 10 and did a great job overall. Alabama who did nothing for me before final night, shined like the sun. 2 nice suprises in final 3 and top 10.

As for Lynnette our new Miss USA, she will now move to her new home in New York with her new roomates, Mpule Kwelagobe: Miss Universe and Ashley Coleman: Miss Teen USA.

Lynnette Cole, Miss USA 2000 will now travel to Cyprus in May to compete with over 80 women for the title of Miss Universe 2000. She has International Pageant experience.

Overall thoughts of the Pageant:

Carson Daly: Excellent job. Much better than at Miss Teen USA. You work better with women your own age.

Ali Landry: You looked beautiful and thank you for not making any crude remarks.

Julie Moran: Beautiful as always. If you actually knew all 51 delegates you would have made a comment about Delaware's dress. You have dont this so many times that you seem like you are getting board. But overll good job

Judges: Andrea Evans (Actress, "Bold and the Beautiful"); Kelly Hu (Actress, "Martial Law" & Miss Teen USA 1985 and Miss Hawaii USA 1993); Juan Morales (Editor-in-Chief, Detours Magazine); Christopher McDonald (Actor, "Family Law"); Kara Young (Fashion Model); USHER (Actor/Singer); Grant Winstrom (St. Louis Rams Professional Football Player); Joanna Connell (Make-Up Artist). Great Job! You picked a great Miss USA.

"Spotlight on Branson": This was good. At least they showed the high points of Branson and the delegates having fun. I would like to thank CBS and the Miss Universe Org. for not giving us over 20 minuites of Branson commercials.

Speedo Fitness Video: Was this a fitness video or a concert. Christina Aguilara did a great concert. They barely showed the fitness video. It was all about Chritstina. What they should have done, was had the girls workout on stage behind Christina. But overall, one of the best parts of the show because I like Christina Aguilara.

Final Synonpis: Overall great pageant. The Miss Universe Org. put on a great show that was full of suprises and entertainment. Great Job!

Miss USA Viewer Comments:

Geovin: I am so glad that Tennesse won Miss USA 2000. But was real surprised that Miss Alabama made the competion at all. Only four of my top ten pics made the top ten, SC, Michigan, Kansas and Tenn. Was real surprised that NH made it as far as she did and had the support of the other delegates. As for the pageant, a bit boring. I understood that the producers were aiming for a hipper pageant but I do not feel that they accomplished that. Carson Daly did a nice job he appeared more comfortable than at Teen USA back in August. Ali Landry and Julie Moran were fun "Dish Queens." But they seem to rely on the same topics of conversation, "These dresses seem to defy gravity" Julie made the same statement last year as Ali did about the toupee tape. Okay give the audience something new girls. Kimberly Pressler, sorry to say, but glad your year is over. I look forward to seeing Lynette at Miss Universe. These are my comments.

Janice Berry: Boy do I agree with your comments. I loved TN. Knew her from Teen USA and Miss Teen All America. Good job Lynette! About the other top 10? Excuse me! What were the judges looking for? I can't believe that FL CA and a few others were not better than the chosen few that were in the top ten. Oh well, I liked the show. My favorite gowns were AL, TN and KS. You could tell they were dressed with style and CLASS. Yes, TN was dynamite in swimsuit.

Tim, Ohio: I have to admit in my personal opinion I think the pageant is getting worse each year. I mean the quality of the contestants is still great but the production itself seems to be taking a backseat to other nonesential add ons that really arent needed nor desired. The opening was lousy if I do say so myself. I miss the days when they annouced the delgates and you got to see a mini video of each delegate competeing in preliminary swimsuit and evening wear competitons. I loved that part because during the final night you dont get to see all the ladies up close in those respects and I also used it to pick my top ten as I watched the pageant. Now we dont even get to hear the contestants speak and we hardly got a glance at what they looked like! The competion itself is getting cheesier as well as time goes by. I mean they keep changing the format every year and really I think that is a bad move. The Who Wants to be Miss USA segament instead of the normal interview questions was severely corny. I mean come on we are sending our girl to compete with over 80 other women from around the world at the Miss Universe pageant and here we are playing a game show instead of finding out which delegate had a brain on her pretty shoulders. Do you think Miss Venezuela or Miss Peurto Rico or any other of the exotic beauties who will compete at Miss Universe did this in their national pageant? I have to admit that Lynette Cole is a great choice to wear the crown and I am confident we will see her in top ten at Miss Universe unlike little Kimmy Pressler of last year who failed to make top ten there and who could honestly say they were surprised?! I mean she was too short and I really didnt care for her little girlish face and attitude. Not that she isnt beautiful just not the type I look for in a winner. But I think this year Lynette will bring back the dignity to the Miss USA delegate at Miss Universe. Lately more and more former teen title holders are showing up in the Miss USA contest and I would like to see some of my favorite teen title holders compete next year. Including Charlotte Lopez of Vermont former Miss Teen USA 1993. I loved this girl and always thought she would make a great Miss USA. I also liked Miss Teen USA 1997 Shelly Moore but she went and got married so she is now inelgible but there is still hope for Miss Teen USA 1998 Vanessa Manillo of South Carolina. Also I have noticed more and more former Miss America delegates competing at Miss USA. Thats fine and all but I was really dissapointed by my state's rep this year Cheya Watkins of Ohio. She was selected Miss Ohio America a couple years ago and made no impression then, now she competes for us as Miss Ohio USA 2000 and I have to say she just didnt have the look at all. I really found her to be unattractive in both body and intelligence and cannot fathom why these type of girls keep sneaking into the national pageants. Perhaps they need to get better judges for the state pageants? Why else would certain states be perrennial favorites in the top ten?

Jimmy: Congratualtions to Miss Tennssee. I'm so glad she won. I loved everyone in the top ten, and I thought New Hamphsire, Iowa, and Michigan really personified "redefined." I was disappointed Kansas didn't make top three. I was hoping for a Tennessee-Kansas match-up!

THEShrda: Congratulations to the new MISS USA; we knew she would do it. The very best for the year to come.

Comments continued Here.

Send in your Miss USA Pageant viewer comments to beauty_pageant99@hotmail.com. I would love to know what you thought of the pageant.

Miss USA Pageant unofficial Top Picks Poll: Thanks to everyone who voted.

Connecticut: Sallie Toussaint

Texas: Heather Ogilvie

Tennessee: Lynnette Cole (Miss USA 2000)

Kansas: Tiffany Meyer (Finalist)

South Carolina: Lisa Rabon (Semi-Finalist)

Oklahoma: Amanda Penix

California: Rebekah Ann Keller

Georgia: Patti Dunn (Finalist)

Missouri: Denette Roderick

Louisiana: Jennifer Dupont

5 Possibilities:

Michigan: Jill Dobson (Semi-Finalist)

Florida: Kristin Ludecke

Washington: Jamie Marie Kern

North Carolina: Portia Lyndell Johnson

Arizona: Heather Keckler

Well Beauty Pageants 101 viewers, you did well. You picked 5 out of the 10. Good Job!

From Miss Teen USA to Miss USA:
In 1998 and 1999, there were a total of 10 former Miss Teen USA delegates competing for the crown. 10 former Teen Delegates is the record. As for the 2000 Miss USA Pageant, the record was not broken but tied for the 3rd year.

Class of 1992:

Heather Keckler, Miss Arizona USA

Class of 1994:

Jennifer Hunt, Miss Maine USA. Tiffany Meyer, Miss Kansas USA was Miss Missouri Teen USA. Paige Swenson, Miss Minnesota USA. Angie Carpenter, Miss Mississippi USA.

Class of 1995:

Alicia Carnes, Miss Nevada USA. Lynette Cole, Miss Tennessee USA.

Class of 1997:

Laurie Miller, Miss Alaska USA. Amanda Penix, Miss Oklahoma USA.

Class of 1998:

Jennifer DuPont, Miss Louisiana USA.

Miss USA Official website: 2000 Pageant

Local Website: Branson Home Page Miss USA 2000

CREDITS: sharkbanger, Kirstin Cook, LMMALIS, Jerremy A. Benningto

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Page Updated Sun Jan 14, 2001 3:33am EST