The first night of Miss Georgia competition kicked off with ties in talent and swimsuit.
Miss Cobb County Victoria Hill and Miss Fulton County Chari Guzman tied for the talent award. Miss Presidential Pathways Caroline Carroll and Miss Magnolia MacKenzie Marable tied for the swimsuit award.
MORE | Miss Georgia 2018: Meet the contestants
READ | Miss Georgia 2018: How to watch, what you need to know
Hill, a Reinhardt University student, performed an aria from the French opera “La Fille du Regiment.” Hill executed the difficult operatic vocal with remarkable ease and fun characterization. Hill communicated the fun, flirty and boastful elements of the aria even while singing in a language that few in the audience understood.
Watch Hill sing the aria at an April performance:
Guzman, a Georgia State - Perimeter College student, won the preliminary talent award for her third consecutive year. Each time, she has performed an energetic rendition of Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary,” complete with choreography and a fringed costume.
Watch Guzman perform “Proud Mary” at a 2017 event (note: the background dancers did not accompany her in the Miss Georgia performance)
This year’s swimsuit competition is expected to be Miss Georgia’s last, following news that the Miss America Organization will no longer include swimsuit in its competition. During swimsuit Tuesday night, voiceovers of each competitor talking about an accomplishment, a woman they admire or a guilty pleasure played as they walked across the stage. Marable’s guilty pleasure was Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which she wishes she could eat three times a day. Carroll said her biggest accomplishment was earning a spot on the dance team at the University of Georgia.
Miss Georgia introduced a new award Tuesday night, giving Miss International City Annie Jorgensen the first-ever preliminary award for on-stage question. During preliminary competition, each contestant is asked about their platform, a cause they advocate for as titleholders. Jorgensen discussed working with Georgia Girl Scouts on a program designed to build confidence, which she hopes to expand to troops statewide.
READ | Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen 2018: Meet the contestants
In the teen competition, Miss Emanuel County’s Outstanding Teen Alaylla Watkins won the preliminary talent award. Watkins, a 17-year-old from Wadley, performed an upbeat jazz dance to “I’m Fabulous,” a song from the TV show “Empire.” Watkins executed the fast-paced choreography with precision and personality.
Rory Pan, Miss Heart of Atlanta’s Outstanting Teen, won the preliminary award for evening gown and on-stage question. Pan was asked about how she has learned to be a strong leader, as she has been class president for two consecutive years at Northview High School. Wearing a simple black velvet strapless gown, she said that she credited her leadership success to listening to others before making important decisions.
Preliminary competition for Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen will continue Wednesday at 7 p.m. Find how to watch here.
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