Lauren Ash, Karamo, and Kelly Rowland Announced As Judges For Miss America 2020 On NBC

Access Hollywood co-anchors Kit Hoover and Mario Lopez to serve as co-hosts for December 19th, two-hour live telecast.

NEW YORK, NY (December 11, 2019) – Superstore co-star Lauren Ash, Queer Eye culture expert Karamo and singer/songwriter/actress Kelly Rowland have been selected as judges for the upcoming Miss America 2020 broadcast, which returns to NBC for a two-hour live special Thursday, December 19th at 8:00pm ET/PT from Mohegan Sun.

The trio will judge the 51 compelling candidates based on messages of female strength, independence and empowerment in the candidates’ efforts in the areas of scholarship, talent and social impact.

Access Hollywood co-anchors Kit Hoover and Mario Lopez will co-host.

At the end of the telecast, one candidate will be chosen for the job of Miss America 2020 to build upon the work of Miss America 2019, Nia Franklin. Franklin has been promoting her social impact initiative “Advocating for the Arts” through appearances at colleges and universities and has taken part in many other events, including making numerous visits to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

This year features prominent roles for the judges, real interaction with the candidates and a chance to really get to know each of the finalists before the judges decide who gets the job and the crown of Miss America.

The star-studded production team includes many women as the Miss America Organization ushers in a new era of progressiveness and inclusiveness. The show’s new format will be led by a female co-executive producer (Meredith McGinn), director (Sandra Restrepo) and choreographer (Danielle Flora).

Miss America 2020 offers a new take on what many consider America’s very first reality show. It’s a perfect blend of Miss America history with the added excitement, intrigue and entertainment of today’s very best competition shows.

The show will be executive produced by John Irwin, whose Irwin Entertainment is producing the new NBC late night show A Little Late With Lilly Singh. His credentials include stand-up specials for Adam Sandler, John Mulaney, Norm MacDonald and Nikki Glaser as well as Red Nose Day, NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly and Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks.

For the first time in more than 15 years, the show will be led by a female director. Emmy Award-nominated helmer Sandra Restrepo has directed a multitude of live shows, including the first live televised musical performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway sensation Hamilton, the Radio Disney Music Awards and MTV’s live music series Wonderland.  Restrepo also served as the show director on over 250 episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Also joining the Miss America 2020 production team is Meredith McGinn as co-executive producer. McGinn is the Senior Vice President of NBC-owned COZI TV, news brand LX and LX.TV, an award-winning production company that produces weekly lifestyle programs in addition to live specials and red-carpet specials such as the Golden Globes, Emmy Awards and Rose Parade.

Other leading names behind the scenes include Tim Bock as co-executive producer, lighting design by Oscar Dominguez of The Voice, production design by Joe Stewart and writer Jon Macks, whose previous credits include the Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmy Awards.

Saturday Night Live choreographer Danielle Flora also joins the production team to enhance the show’s new format.

Miss America 2020 will take place in Mohegan Sun’s award-winning Mohegan Sun Arena and preliminary competitions, which start this Sunday, December 15th, will take place in the Earth Expo Center. For ticket information, visit mohegansun.com.

ABOUT LAUREN ASH

Lauren Ash stars as Dina in the hit NBC comedy Superstore and as Scorpia in the Netflix original animated series She-Ra and the Princess of Power. She recently launched a podcast titled Giving It Up for Less, where she has friends and colleagues join her to overshare real stories about their lives that they probably shouldn’t tell. Ash previously co-starred with Rebel Wilson in ABC’s Super Fun Night, which won the People’s Choice Award for Best New Comedy Series and Comedy Central’s Another Period. On the film side, Ash was in the critically acclaimed and Academy-Award nominated film The Disaster Artist, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and Lars and the Real Girl. Hailing from Toronto, Ash is an alumnus of the Second City Toronto and Chicago main stages. She was nominated for an ACTRA Award (Canada’s SAG Awards) for her performance in the film Dirty Singles and was the winner of a Canadian Screen Award (Canada’s Emmys) for a guest-starring role on the CTV sitcom Spun Out.

ABOUT KARAMO

Karamo is a culture expert on the Netflix reboot of the award-winning series Queer Eye. Karamo is tasked with making over the hearts and minds of individuals by helping them to confront and grow beyond internal and external issues. His memoir, Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope, explores how the challenges in his own life have allowed him to forever transform the lives of those in need. Karamo began his television career in 2004 as a housemate on the MTV hit series The Real World. He was the first openly gay African-American in the history of reality television. Karamo was the recipient of the “2018 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award” and was also invited by the Obama Administration to create policy and legislation supporting LGBTQ youth and their allies. He continues to work and support the President Obama Foundation and the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and is a graduate of Florida A&M University.

ABOUT KELLY ROWLAND

Four-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and executive producer Kelly Rowland is a global Pop superstar. On her own, she is a platinum-certified recording artist with over 40 million records sold, but she’s also known all over the world as a founding and cherished member of Destiny’s Child, the best-selling female group of all time. The group’s list of chart toppers include many #1 singles in the U.S. and more than 75 million albums sold worldwide. Rowland has blossomed into a stunning solo artist having released four successful studio albums. Simon Cowell tapped her as a judge for the popular UK series The X Factor. Rowland executive produced and starred in the film Merry Liddle Christmas, which aired in November on Lifetime. She will next be seen in director Justin Simien’s new independent feature Bad Hair, which will premiere at Sundance.

ABOUT KIT HOOVER
Kit Hoover is host of Access Hollywood, Access Daily and All Access. She made her television debut in 1995 as a cast member on the original season of MTV’s Road Rules. Soon after she joined King World Production as their entertainment reporter for American Journal. Hoover then went to Fox News in 1999 as a correspondent for Fox Broadcasting Company’s newsmagazine, FOX Files. In 2003, she started as host for ESPN2’s Cold Pizza, and also served as a guest judge on ESPN’s reality contest, Dream Job. Hoover has appeared several times as a guest host on The View and from 2008-2009, she hosted TLC’s lifestyle makeover series, Real Simple, Real Life, based upon the magazine Real Simple. She served as the host of ABC’s Shaq Vs., a reality show starring Shaquille O’Neal in 2010, and hosted Celebrity Home Raiders on Lifetime. She served as host of Animal Planet’s live two-hour special, Give a Dog a Home, which aired in December. She resides with her husband and three children in Los Angeles.

ABOUT MARIO LOPEZ

Mario Lopez is a host of NBC’s Access Hollywood, and has signed an over-all development deal with NBCUniversal. Additionally, Lopez created and serves as executive producer of the upcoming Netflix scripted series The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia. He is also producing the reboot of Saved by the Bell for NBC’s new streaming service Peacock. Lopez currently hosts the national iHeart radio programs On with Mario Lopez and iHeartRadio Countdown with Mario Lopez. Lopez is a constant presence on the Pop culture scene with a legion of fans across the board. Some of Lopez’s acting credits include This Is Us, Jane the Virgin, Nip/Tuck and Saved by the Bell, among many others. In 2008, Lopez made his Broadway debut as Zach in the revival of A Chorus Line, where he met his wife, Courtney. They have three children.

ABOUT THE MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION

The Miss America Organization, a 501(c) (4), is one of the most recognizable household names in America working to empower young women through education and service. The Miss America Organization is comprised of 51 licensed state organizations, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Miss America candidates contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised more than $17 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships since 2007. The Miss America Foundation, a 501(c) (3), provides academic, community service, and other scholarships to young women.

Follow “The Miss America Organization” on social media

Facebook: @missamerica

Twitter: @MissAmericaOrg

Instagram: @missamerica

Official website: www.MissAmerica.org

Hashtag: #MissAmerica

ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN:

Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States.  Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.

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Miss America Announces Production Team for 2020 Miss America Competition, LIVE on NBC December 19, 2019

Female Co-Producer, Director and Choreographer lead a new, exciting and dramatic format.

NEW YORK, NY (November 25, 2019) –  The Miss America Organization is proud to announce a star studded production team, which includes a female Co-Executive Producer, Director and Choreographer, for what will be an exciting new show and new competition format when The 2020 Miss America Competition airs live December 19th on NBC.

For the first time in over fifteen years, the show will be led by a female Director.  Emmy-nominated Director Sandra Restrepo has directed a multitude of live shows including the first live televised musical performance from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway sensation “Hamilton“, Radio Disney Music Awards and MTV’s live music series “Wonderland.”  Restrepo served as the show director on over 250 episodes of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Her many credits also include “Brene Brown: The Call to Courage”, “Black Girls Rock!”, “Grammy Red Carpet Live!”, and “2 Dope Queens.”

“I am excited to be part of this year’s telecast and look forward to telling the stories of these diverse and independent young women,” said Restrepo.

Also joining the Miss America 2020 production team is Meredith McGinn as Co-Executive Producer.  McGinn is the Senior Vice President of NBC owned COZI TV, news brand LX, and LX.TV, an award-winning production company that produces weekly lifestyle programs in addition to live specials and red carpet specials such as The Golden Globes, The Emmy Awards and The Rose Parade for NBC network.

“The young women competing to become the next Miss America are smart, talented and so impressive.  I am thrilled to be part of NBC’s broadcast.   It’s going to be an entertaining and inspiring night,” said McGinn.

A new format means new moves and “Saturday Night Live” Choreographer Danielle Flora takes the lead in the star-studded crew.

The show is lead by Executive Producer Jon Irwin, President of Irwin Entertainment, Inc. Irwin is the Executive Producer if the new late night show A Little Late With Lilly Singh. His credentials include stand-up specials for Adam Sandler, John Mulaney, Norm MacDonald, and Nikki Glaser. Irwin also worked with Conan O’Brien on his own NBC late-night show and produced some of the most prominent live event specials and nationally televised programming including “Red Nose Day,”  “NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly,” “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks,” and “NBC’s Countdown to the Emmys,” to name a few.

Other leading names include Tim Bock as Co-Executive Producer, Lighting Design by Oscar Dominguez of “The Voice,” Production Design by Joe Stewart and the screenwriter Jon Macks who has written for Hollywood’s top television programs, including the most prestigious awards shows, late night programs and television specials.

“This is a brand new show,” said Miss America President and CEO Regina Hopper.  “The new format is interactive, challenging and exciting and is meant to allow the judges, and the audience, to see who these incredibly smart and talented young women are. Miss America 2.0 is about a young woman competing for a job.  Each phase of competition is meant to highlight an important role of that job which is focused on advancing her chosen social impact initiative each and every day. When the winner is selected you will know her, why she won and what she will do with her job this next year.”

Watch the excitement LIVE on NBC, Thursday, December 19, 2019, at 8:00 pm EST.

Tickets to Miss America 2020 at Mohegan Sun are still available also via Missamerica.org/tickets and on-site at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

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Tickets On Sale Now For NBC’s Miss America 2020 At Mohegan Sun

Taking place in Mohegan Sun next month, December 15th -19th, 51 candidates will compete for the job of Miss America 2020; A special tribute show with current Miss America, Nia Franklin, is also scheduled

UNCASVILLE, CT (November 5, 2019) – Mohegan Sun will become only the third destination to host Miss America in its 99-year history next month and tickets are now on-sale at Missamerica.org/tickets and on-site at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

The finals will be broadcast on NBC live from Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 8:00pm EST.

Leading up to the finals and taking place in Mohegan Sun’s Earth Expo & Convention Center, Miss America 2020 will also feature two preliminary competitions as well as a special Tribute Show in Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre, where the Miss America Organization (MAO) will say thank you to Nia Franklin (Miss America 2019) for a successful year. Guests will be able to enjoy music that Franklin has composed during the past year and join other Miss America’s as they entertain and share where their lives have led over the past year. All Tribute Show ticket holders will get priority access to a Miss America autograph line prior to the show. Tickets to this Miss America Tribute Show can also be purchased via: Ticketmaster

NBC’s 2020 Miss America Competition Schedule:

  • Preliminary night 1: Sunday, December 15th from 7:00pm – 10:00pm EST| Earth Expo & Convention Center
  • Preliminary night 2: Monday, December 16th from 7:00pm – 10:00pm EST| Earth Expo & Convention Center
  • Nia Franklin Tribute Show: Tuesday, December 17th from 8:00pm – 10:00pm | Cabaret Theatre. (Complimentary dessert and coffee as well as a cash bar will be offered. Limited general admission seating available.)
  • Finals: Thursday, December 19th from 8:00pm – 10:00pm EST | Mohegan Sun Arena

*Full list of candidates: Missamerica.org/titleholders/2020-candidates/

NBC’s The 2020 Miss America Competition will follow 51 compelling candidates as they compete for life-changing scholarships to be used to continue their efforts towards community service and education. The show will highlight a diverse group of young students and professionals who are advancing the message of female strength, independence, and empowerment through their efforts in the areas of scholarship, talent and social impact. The candidates’ official arrival ceremony will be on December 12th at 5:00pm at Mohegan Sun and will be free and open to the public. Other events throughout the week can be found at Missamerica.org. It will be an exciting week of competition, special events and community engagement, all capped off with an incredible final event on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 8:00pm on NBC. At the end of the telecast, one candidate will be chosen for the job of Miss America 2020 to build upon the work of Miss America 2019, Nia Franklin. As Miss America 2019, Franklin has been promoting her social impact initiative, “Advocating for the Arts” through appearances at colleges and universities, city operas and other art venues and has taken part in other various impactful events, including visits to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

ABOUT THE MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION:
The Miss America Organization, a 501(c) (4), is one of the most recognizable household names in America working to empower young women through education and service. The Miss America Organization is comprised of 51 licensed state organizations, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Miss America candidates contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised more than $17 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships since 2007. The Miss America Foundation, a 501(c) (3), provides academic, community service, and other scholarships to young women.

ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN:
Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States.  Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.

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