Miss America 2009 Airs Live Tonight

The finals and crowning of 2009 Miss America pageant will televise live on the TLC network on Saturday night in Las Vegas.With significant scholarships awarded to the winner, the coveted title will be competed among 52 candidates. The champion will represent the United States to run for Miss Universe this year.



It's the first time for four contestants in top 15 to be voted into the pageant finals by audience of "Miss America: Countdown to the Crown." The first pageant dated back to 1921 as an Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce initiative to extend the local tourist season. After 88 years, this pageant for beauty, brain and drive keeps evolving and will make big differences.President and general manager for TLC Angela Shapiro-Mathes said "As viewers watch 'Miss America: Reality Check' they'll get to know the contestants in a way that they never have before. The entire competition becomes more relevant to today's audience as they vote and root for their favorites at the live finale."



The Miss America pageant 2009 is set to be one of the fiercest fought events in history, contested almost exclusively by Amazonian gym buddies with seriously sculpted figures.The swimsuit segment of the show in the heats at the Planet Hollywood resort in Las Vegas confirmed that a new breed of female athletes are going for glory, a far cry from the very natural looking girls-next-door who have competed down the 80 years of the competition's history.Check out Swimsuit Competition photos here.