(CLOSE THIS WINDOW TO RETURN TO THE BARD WEBSITE)
TITLE: A
Fantasy Breakfast at Tiffany’s
SUBTITLE: Gems for would-be Miss Americas
PUBLICATION: Philadelphia Inquirer
DATE: September 8, 2002
Holly Golightly, eat your heart out.
The heroine from Truman Capote’s famed short novel may have dreamed
of having "Breakfast at Tiffany’s," but she didn’t have
the glittery contents of the store’s jewelry case at her disposal.
This year’s 52 Miss America contestants did, at least for an hour.
Yesterday morning, the expertly groomed women left their rooms at the Ritz-Carlton
Hotel and trooped down South Broad Street for breakfast and a try-on session
at the Walnut Street jewelry store.
This is the second consecutive year that the iconic Atlantic City beauty
pageant has held its opening weekend in Philadelphia. Besides viewing jewels,
the crown contenders – who included representative from the District
of Columbia and an unprecedented two candidates from North Carolina –
took a dinner cruise and attended the Lights of Liberty show before heading
to the Shore to prepare for the Sept. 21 event.
The women laughed and snapped pictures of one another as they filtered past
the uniformed Valley Forge Military Academy cadets lining the store entrance.
Other photographers turned their flashbulbs on just the two North Carolina
contestants, however – the decrowned Rebekah Revels and runner-up-turned-front-runner,
Misty Clymer.
Dressed in a dark purple pantsuit and shoes with Lucite heels, Revels took
the attention in stride. The former queen resigned her position in July
after her ex-boyfriend turned over topless pictures of her to pageant officials;
she later sued to compete. She is being allowed to participate at least
until a federal judge in North Caroline hears the case tomorrow.
The pageant’s chief executive officer, George Bauer, seemed annoyed
that the Tarheel tug-of-war had received so much attention. Nothing similar
has happened in the pageant’s 81-year history.
"It’s not fair to the other contestants," said Bauer, emphasizing
that all the entrants are judged on an equal playing field.
Bauer said that the competing Carolinians are friendly with each other.
So it may have been coincidence that Clymer wearing a ruffled dress and
embroidered shoes that matched a turquoise necklace, stayed at the opposite
end of the store from Revels.
Neither Clymer nor Revels was allowed to speak to reporters, who were kept
from asking questions by a platoon of pit bull security guards.
The controversy didn’t keep the contestants from sampling Tiffany’s
finest. Many made a beeline for the vaunted ring counter, where their "traveling
companions" – home-state volunteers who often return to the pageant
year after year to serve as chaperones for the contestants – oohed
and ahhed as the women eagerly slipped diamond-and-sapphire baubbles over
their French-manicured fingers.
"Someone told me there was a $74,000 ring here," Miss Vermont,
Sarah Jo Willey, said as she approached the glass case.
"There is – that big one in the corner. Try it on!" replied
Miss Maine, Rachel Wadsworth.
Most of the contestants arrived in Philadelphia Friday – and friendships
and cliques were just starting to form. Miss Oregon, Brita Stream, and Miss
Tennessee, Valli Kugler, roamed the store together like best buds, while
Miss Colorado, Morgan O’Murray, bought a necklace and a keychain on
her own.
As they enjoyed the aspirational rush from proximity to $26,000 pearl necklaces,
the contestants made introductory chitchat typical of a sorority rush party.
"What a beautiful state," Miss Delaware, Shoha Parekh, gushed
after meeting Wadsworth, the Maine contender. "I haven’t been
there, but..."
As the contestants bonded, waiters passed around the trays of croissants
and blueberry muffins – and yes, some women did eat.
Outfits ranged from the midriff-baring hip-huggers worn by Miss Arizona,
Laura Lawless, to the black and white suit and matching picture hat sported
by Miss Illinois, Erika Harold. Local fans may be pleased to know that Miss
New Jersey, Alicia Luciano of Sussex County, held her own sartorially with
a fashionable Fendi bag. Miss Pennsylvania, Autumn Marisa of Waynesburg,
wore a crisp white pantsuit.
Marisa tackled the North Carolina dilemma head-on, seeking Clymer out for
a photo in front of the store. Turns out the two were classmates at Pennsylvania
State University, where they met through various pageant competitions and
activities.
When asked if she favored her fellow Nittany Lion over Revels, Marisa gave
a diplomatic answer worthy of a Miss America contender.
"It’s not my decision," she said. "It’s a wonderful
experience for every girl here."
