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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 20 december 2019
Miss America to be crowned for the first time in Connecticut

By SUSAN HAIGH ers and NBC have not yet
Associated Press agreed to a multi-year
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) contract with the Con-
— Miss America will be necticut casino. A decision
crowned Thursday night for is expected in the coming
the first time at a Connecti- months.
cut casino, marking the lat- Fifty-one women, repre-
est change to the nearly senting all 50 states and the
century-old contest that District of Columbia, have
has recently undergone spent the past week com-
new leadership and a new peting in different events
direction. for more than $300,000
The competition, now scholarship money, includ-
dubbed “Miss America 2.0” ing talent exhibitions and
and no longer referred to by interviews. Preliminary com-
organizers as a “pageant,” petitions were held Dec. 15
had announced plans this and 16. The ultimate winner
summer to leave Atlantic will be awarded a $50,000
City, New Jersey — for the scholarship and “the job of
second time in its history Miss America,” succeed-
— and hold the multi-day ing 2019 Miss America
event at the Mohegan Sun Nia Franklin, a classically
in Uncasville. Miss America trained opera singer from
also switched from ABC New York who didn’t have
back to NBC to broadcast to don a swimsuit to win the
the glitzy finale to an esti- In this Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, file photo, candidates for Miss America 2020 pose for a group coveted crown.
mated 4.5 million viewers. photo during the official Arrival Ceremony for the Miss America 2.0 competition at Mohegan Sun. For the second year in a
And for the first time, pre- Associated Press row, there will be no swim-
liminary events and the fi- nouncement. later in the year as part of ket that has become more suit or evening gown com-
nale — held in Mohegan’s For Mohegan Sun, it’s been NBC’s holiday program- and more crowded in re- petitions, with organizers
10,000-seat arena — are an opportunity to show- ming. cent years. stressing that participants
being streamed live on the case the massive casino, Hamilton said Mohegan Sun “I think as we try to grow are not judged on out-
NBC app. entertainment and con- hopes it will be chosen to group and event room- ward physical appear-
“We are looking forward vention complex, located continue hosting the event, nights, hosting these large ance. Those events were
to a fresh take on this his- on an Indian reservation which is credited with filling events has been a strate- replaced by onstage inter-
toric competition that will in suburban southeastern up the casino’s hotel rooms gic initiative for us,” he said. views and opportunities for
showcase the incredible Connecticut, to a national during a relatively slow time “Our goal is to host these the women to discuss their
women vying for the job of audience. The Mohegan of year and attracting an large events which are go- personal achievements,
Miss America 2020,” Regina Sun name has been men- estimated 15,000 visitors to ing to bring people to the life goals, talents and a
Hopper, president & CEO tioned prominently in NBC’s the complex, which bills it- property that might not planned “social impact
of the Miss America Orga- TV ads promoting the self as a destination resort have come.” initiative” as the 2020 Miss
nization, said in the July an- event, which is being held in a Northeast casino mar- Miss America organiz- America. q

Amy Winehouse exhibit to open at Grammy Museum

By MESFIN FEKADU tive look, including her never worn dresses by
Associated Press beehive hairdo, cat eye- Winehouse’s stylist, Naomi
NEW YORK (AP) — The first- liner, ballet shoes, tattoos Parry, for the singer’s can-
ever Amy Winehouse ex- and more. celed 2011 summer festival
hibit in the United States will “Amy always credited my tour; Winehouse’s yellow
debut at the Grammy Mu- mother, her grandmother Preen power dress and
seum in Los Angeles next Cynthia, as a major influ- red leather heart-shaped
month. ence, both stylistically — as Moschino purse from 2007
The Recording Academy she taught her the impor- BRIT Awards; Winehouse’s
told The Associated Press tance of grooming and 2008 Grammys outfit de-
on Thursday that the late having a look — and musi- signed by Dolce & Gab-
British singer’s popular out- cally,” the singer’s father, bana; capsule collections
fits — including her halter Mitch Winehouse, said in designed by Winehouse for
dress worn at her final stage In this Aug. 17, 2008 file photo, British singer Amy Winehouse a statement. “She liked Fred Perry’s line, including
performance in Belgrade performs at the V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex. to call me a ‘cab-driving a black cotton twill varsity-
in 2011 — never-before- Associated Press Sinatra’ and her mother’s style jacket with gray leath-
seen handwritten lyrics and side of the family were also er sleeves monogrammed
home video, journal entries home from accidental al- She won five Grammys at musicians. Amy not only with “Amy” in the front;
and more from her family’s cohol poisoning at age 27. the 2008 show, which she brought her gift of music to and a mohair leopard-style
personal archive will make She only released two al- couldn’t attend because the world, but also her fash- pattern cardigan by Dolce
up “Beyond Black — The bums, “Frank” and “Back was rejected for a U.S. work ion. We’re eager for peo- & Gabbana that Wine-
Style of Amy Winehouse.” to Black,” but had a tre- visa. ple to see her bold, beauti- house was photographed
The exhibit opens Jan. 17 mendous impact on mu- The singer, whose hits in- ful spirit through all forms of wearing leaving one of her
and will run through April sic fans and her peers, be- cluded “Rehab” and “You her creativity.” favorite places, the Haw-
13. Winehouse died July ing praised for her jazz-like Know I’m No Good,” was The exhibit will also in- ley Arms Pub, in Camden,
23, 2011, at her London vocals and honest lyrics. also known for her distinc- clude custom-made, but London.q