Miss America crowns 2014 winner

Miss New York Nina Davuluri walks down the runway after winning the the Miss America 2014 pageant on Sunday in Atlantic City.(Photo Mel Evans AP)

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Miss America returned to Atlantic City for the first time in six years to crown a new 2014 winner.

Atlantic City has survived Hurricane Sandy said Good Morning America's Lara Spencer who co hosted the ABC show with Chris Harrison.

And now it has survived the mother of all beauty pageants.

After a night of big numbers long evening gowns tight swimsuit strutting dancing singing and yes answering those tough judges' questions (including ones about Miley Cyrus and Syria ) the 53 Miss America contestants (50 states District of Columbia Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) were narrowed down to one winner.

Miss New York Nina Davuluri 24 from Syracuse sashayed off with the tiara and the $50 000 scholarship cash. She performed a Bollywood fusion dance (after missing her cue at first) and answered a question about plastic surgery. ( Be confident in who you are ) She said she hopes to become a doctor like her father who is an obstetrician. She once battled bulimia according to a Syracuse.com July story and is the first Indian American to serve as Miss New York/ She is the first Miss America winner of Indian descent.

Here's how it all played out

Miss Connecticut Kaitlyn Tarpey waves during the pageant.(Photo Mel Evans AP)

The contestants introduced themselves in a taped segment with those quippy catchphrases including

From the state known for its national football championships here's your champion tonight I'm Miss Alabama Chandler Champion.

Tweet me like me text me Streaming to you from Silicon Valley I'm Crystal Lee Miss California.

Listening to your phone calls from the Nation's Capital. Just kidding I'm Miss District of Columbia Bindhu Pamarthi.

Once most famous for the fountain of youth now we're known as America's weirdest state. I am Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones.

Out of 5 500 Kansas Army National Guardsmen Uncle Sam wanted me. Hoping you will too I am Miss Kansas Theresa Vail.

From the home of Duck Dynasty I'm here to trade in my duck call for the Miss America crown. I'm Miss Louisiana Jaden Leach.

From the home of the reigning Super Bowl champions you bet I'm wacko for Flacco. I'm Christina Denny Miss Maryland.

The Jersey shore is back and no I don't mean the TV show. Welcome home Miss America. I'm Cara McCollum Miss New Jersey.

I'm not Breaking Bad. I'm breaking through. Say my name Alexis Duprey Miss New Mexico.

Miss New York Nina Davuluri takes the crown.(Photo Mel Evans AP)

From the state with the lowest unemployment I'm looking for a job tonight. I am Miss North Dakota Laura Harmon.

From the birthplace of Brad Pitt Chuck Norris and Kristin Chenoweth beauty brawn and talent I'm Kelsey Griswold Miss Oklahoma.

From the state where 20% of our homes are mobile because that's how we roll I'm Brooke Mosteller Miss South Carolina.

Even though I'm lactose intolerant Ben and Jerry are still my two favorite guys. I'm Miss Vermont Jeanelle Achee.

The celeb judges for the night Lance Bass Mario Cantone Carla Hall Barbara Corcoran Joshua Bell Amar'e Stoudemire and the last Miss America to be crowned in Atlantic City Deidre Downs Gunn

Co host Harrison got the crowd pumped up for the first part of the competition announcing the semifinalists.

Miss Kansas Theresa Vail.(Photo Edward Lea AP)

First up was America's choice chosen by online vote Miss Kansas Theresa Vail (talking about tattoos and Army life paid off for her ) I am so honored she said. To be fair I did have the backing of an entire army literally.

Joining her in the semifinals

Miss California Crystal Lee Miss New York Nina DavuluriMiss Oklahoma Kelsey GriswoldMiss Connecticut Kaitlyn TarpeyMiss Georgia Carly MathisMiss Mississippi Chelsea RickMiss Texas Ivana HallMiss Arkansas Amy CrainMiss Missouri Shelby RingdahlMiss Kentucky Jenna DayMiss Maryland Christina DennyMiss Florida Myrrhanda Jones Miss Wisconsin Paula Mae KuiperMiss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh

And then came the swimsuit competition featuring a parade of bikinis in red white black green and animal prints.

Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones wears a swimsuit and a knee brace.(Photo Mel Evans AP)

Miss Kansas showed off her tattoos as promised. Miss Florida went barefoot and wore a bedazzled knee brace after tearing two ligaments on Thursday night after a fall during her baton twirling talent rehearsal. Everyone else showed long legs and spray tans concave tummies and big smiles.

Judge Bass assured that Miss Florida's knee brace wouldn't affect the judges at all. God bless her he said.

Miss Texas Ivana Hall.(Photo Mel Evans AP)

The Top 12 finalists

Miss Maryland Christina DennyMiss Connecticut Kaitlyn TarpeyMiss Florida Myrrhanda JonesMiss Missouri Shelby RingdahlMiss Oklahoma Kelsey GriswoldMiss New York Nina DavuluriMiss Wisconsin Paula Mae KuiperMiss Texas Ivana HallMiss California Crystal LeeMiss Kansas Theresa VailMiss Georgia Carly MathisMiss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh

Judge Hall said Judging is much harder than competing because judging you have someone's life or future in your hands.

The evening wear featured beautiful girls in beautiful gowns said Harrison but the judges were looking for style and panache.

The gowns were sparkly plunging slit up high and weighed down with long trains. Miss Florida wore flat sandals with hers.

Top 10 Talent Performances

Miss New York Nina Davuluri performs during the Miss America 2014 pageant.(Photo Mel Evans AP)

Miss Oklahoma Kesley Griswold sang Everybody Says Don't. Fun facts we learned while she sang Rides horses bareback appeared on the Rosie O'Donnell Show.Miss New York Nina Davuluri performed a Bollywood dance. (Lara Spencer had to yell her name three times before she realized she was being called on stage.) Fun fact Egypt is her favorite place to travel. Miss Kansas Therea Vail sang Puccini's Nessun Dorma. She wanted to do some sort of archery but it wasn't allowed so she learned the song by watching it on YouTube.Miss California Crystal Lee performed a ballet dance. Fun facts She is fluent in Mandarin and Chinese and obtained a B.A. and M.A. from Stanford in four years. Miss Connecticut Kaitlyn Tarpey did an Irish step dance. Fun fact French is her first language.Miss Georgia Carly Mathis sang On My Own from Les Miserables. Fun facts Her feet are two different sizes. Her dog has met the president. Miss Texas Ivana Hall sang a jazzy Fever. Fun fact She cannot live without coffee.

Said judge Mario Cantone It's overwhelming. I feel like I'm in some gay to straight conversion therapy right now

Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh played a scherzo on the violin. Fun fact She still fears the Snow White witch and is always 15 minutes early.Miss Maryland Christina Denny sang a song from Wicked. She wants to ride elephants in Thailand and she enjoys cutting hair.Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones took the stage with her knee brace on and performed a baton twirling routine. She managed to twirl and spin through it flawlessly juggling three batons at one point.

Top Five Who Answered Questions

Miss California Crystal Lee performs a ballet dance.(Photo Mel Evans AP)

Miss Oklahoma Kelsey Griswold was asked a question by Cantone. He said that Miley Cyrus has caused a media sensation... What do you think of her I'm going to be honest. I don't think her performance was twerking for me. Get it She added It was not super tasteful but ... I have to respect her creativity.

Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh was asked by Lance Bass about political wives supporting cheating scandalous husbands. Should they stand by them I think they're doing the right thing by standing by that man they fell in love with ... That husband needs to get it together though.

Miss California Crystal Lee was asked by Joshua Bell about Syria. I believe as one of the most powerful countries in the world we do have an ethical obligation to prevent a leader of a country who is using chemical weapons on his people. I believe we should use congressional support if we can. And the U.N.

Miss New York Nina Davuluri was asked by Carla Hall about Julie Chen's decision to have plastic surgery about making her eyes less Asian. I don't agree with plastic surgery however I can understand that from a standpoint. More importantly I've always viewed Miss America as the girl next door. And Miss America is always evolving... I wouldn't want to change someone's looks. Be confident in who you are.

Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones was asked about minorities having low incomes and high unemployment and incarceration rates. What should the country do to address this My father is unemployed. It took a lot for me to be able to stand on this stage. ... We need to have more jobs in America. She was cut off before she could continue.

Don't make me the bad guy Harrison said. OK I'm the bad guy.

But it was time to crown the winner.

Fourth runner up Miss Minnesota Rebecca YehThird runner up Miss Florida Myrrhanda JonesSecond runner up Miss Oklahoma Kesley GriswoldIt came down to two Asian Americans.

Runner up Miss California Crystal Lee

And the winner The new Miss America is Miss New York Nina Cavuluri

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