Nia Franklin was crowned Miss America 2019 after she won the hearts of judges with her voice, beauty, and the final speech. The Winston-Salem native promised to be a "champion for all children to have access to quality art education," if she won the competition.
Franklin, who is Miss New York had earlier won the Miss America 2019 pageant at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She had to impress different celebrity judges -- Laila Ali, Randy Jackson, Jessie James Decker, Bobby Bones, Soledad O'Brien, and Alli Webb.
Here's everything you need to know about Nia Franklin, the face of America;
Franklin is not just a pretty face but has a gifted voice. She composed her very own song at the age of six. She is a holder of master's degree in music from North Carolina School of the Arts. The model has written over 100 songs.
It is not that easy being a colored minority but Franklin was able to gel with her fellow students because of her love for arts. As she said in the competition, "Although I was a minority in my school, I connected with my peers based on our mutual love of the arts," she said in her Miss America bio. Or, as she said during the ceremony, "I found my love in arts and music, and that made me feel positive about myself and who I was."
The pageant winner not only sings well but also composes music and writes lyrics. She has always dreamt of winning a Grammy award.
Along with music, Franklin advocates education. "I grew up in a school with only 5% minority, but growing up, I found my love of arts and through music, I felt positive about myself and who I was. That's what I would encourage young girls to do, find who you are."
Franklin is originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She moved to New York and has had difficulties in finding a stable home. "I have moved over five times because of subletting in New York. It can be a little difficult because of the pricey rent, but I've overcome that. But I have New York grit," she said.
Franklin spoke about donating her stem cells to her father who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. In one of her Instagram posts, she mentioned her father's cancer treatment and how she dealt with it.
Franklin was rewarded with a $50,000 scholarship and a year-round job after she became the face of Miss America.
