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Image: Laura Kaeppeler

TV

Miss America 2012

In dazzling gowns and sexy bikinis, 53 contestants competed for the pageant’s coveted crown.

/ 15 PHOTOS
Image: Laura Kaeppeler

Miss America 2012

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler reacts after being crowned Miss America Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler

Crowning moment

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler reacts after being crowned Miss America Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 ,at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Laura Kaeppeler won the pageant Saturday night after strutting in a white bikini and black beaded evening gown, singing opera and answering a question about whether beauty queens should declare their politics by saying Miss America represents everyone. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler

And the winner is...

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler, left and Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson react after Kaeppeler is named Miss America Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: 2012 Miss America Pageant

Strutting on stage

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 14: Laura Kaeppeler, Miss Wisconsin, competes in the swimsuit competition during the 2012 Miss America Pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino January 14, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kaeppeler went on to be crowned the new Miss America. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Ethan Miller / Getty Images North America
Image: Laura Kaeppeler, Betty Thompson, Jennifer Sedler, Kaitlin Monte, Noelle Freeman

Final five

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler, left, Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson, Miss Arizona Jennifer Sedler, Miss New York Kaitlin Monte and Miss California Noelle Freeman compete as the top five finalists during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Kaeppeler went on to win the contest. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler

Opera singer

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler competes during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Kaeppeler went on to win the contest. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler, Kaitlin Monte

Swimsuit style

Miss New York Kaitlin Monte competes during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Monte placed third in the Pageant while Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler went on to win. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler

Here she is...

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler competes during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Kaeppeler went on to win the contest. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler

Class act

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler competes during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Kaeppeler went on to win the contest. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler, Betty Thompson, Kaitlin Monte

The last three

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler, left, Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson and Miss New York Kaitlin Monte react as Monte is named second runner up during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Kaeppeler went on to win the contest. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler, Kaitlin Monte

Singing her heart out

Miss New York, Kaitlin Monte competes during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Monte placed third in the Pageant while Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler went on to win. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler, Betty Thompson

Luck of the Irish

Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson competes during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Thomson placed second in the Pageant while Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler went on to win. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler, Kaitlin Monte

Stunning and stylish

Miss New York, Kaitlin Monte competes during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Monte placed third in the Pageant while Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler went on to win. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler, Betty Thompson

The runner-up

Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson competes during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Thomson placed second in the Pageant while Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler went on to win. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
Image: Laura Kaeppeler, Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke

Hosting the event

Hosts Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke stand with Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday Jan. 14, 2012 at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Kaeppeler went on to win the contest. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison / FR156391 AP
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