Miss Alabama Deidre Downs was crowned Miss America on Saturday, September 18, after beating 51 other contestants from all over the country. The blue-eyed brunette impressed the judges with her bright beauty, intelligence and the performance of ballad "I'm Afraid This Must Be Love."

The 5-foot-10 1/2-inch American beauty graduated from Samford University in Birmingham and was accepted to the University of Alabama's medical school in Birmingham, but will probably be to put off her entry for a while after winning her titles.

The Miss America Organization had paid for Downs’ education in college. After winning $50,000 in Miss America, Downs can continue her education in medical school, following her aspiration of becoming a doctor. She intends to use her position for advocating pediatric cancer victims.

In response to critics, Deidre Downs defended the unusually revealing swimsuits contestants were required to wear as a part of the contract with the swimsuit manufacturer Speedo, by saying that “swimwear should remain a part of the event because it demonstrates a healthy lifestyle at a time when obesity has become an epidemic”, as reports Reuters.

Miss America pageant, first held in 1921, marked its 50th anniversary of broadcasting this year. To raise its ratings and compete with reality TV programs it cut the talent portion of the show from five contestants to the last two.