The Miss America 2008 pageant aired on TLC tonight — and Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund, the 19-year-old aspiring Broadway star, took home the crown. Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash was the Miss America 2008 pageant’s first runner up, while Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto was the pageant’s second runner up. Third runner-up honors went to Miss Virginia Hannah Keifer and the fourth runner-up prize went to Miss North Carolina Jessica Jacobs.

Other finalists included Miss California Melissa Chaty, Miss Texas Molly Hazlett and Miss Wisconsin Christina Thompson.

Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund nailed her talent competition, singing “Over the Rainbow.”

Did the Miss America 2008 pageant turn the institution on its ear and deliver a new competition? Well, they at least lightened things up and did away with the poufy hairdos, so that’s a start. Of course, the TLC reality show “Miss America: Reality Check” did help each contestant makeover their old-fashioned pageant look.

Here is a Miss America 2008 video clip, crowning Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund the winner:

And just for fun, a video clip from “Miss America: Reality Check.”

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