Some obvious changes have occurred in the pageant circuit since Jeannine Dalton was crowned Miss USA 1982.
“Donnie Osmond performed in our production number,” said Jeannine, mother of current Miss USA and Wilmington native Kristen Dalton. “And as a prize I was given a piece of brick from our nation’s Capitol.” Her daughter’s Miss USA prize pack includes a two-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy and a Manhattan apartment she shares with Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza and Miss Teen USA 2009 Stormi Henley. She also got a trip to the Bahamas. The top 15 finalists chosen from last week’s event will be revealed during the beginning of tonight’s two-hour telecast. Speaking to the StarNews before traveling to the Bahamas, Kristen spoke about how she’s grown since being named Miss Greater Wilmington in 2006. “I used to be timid when people would hurt my feelings,” she said, “but now I’m more assertive.” “She was raised in the South to be polite,” says her mom. “But now she is more confident and more apt to speak her mind and stand up for herself …”
It is hard to imagine Kristen ever having a confidence problem after rubbing elbows with Hollywood bigwigs during her reign, including Donald Trump, Alec Baldwin, Matt Lauer and one of Kristen’s favorites, Jeff Foxworthy, comedian and host of the “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” game show.