Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields won the Miss America pageant Sunday night in Atlantic City.

She topped a field of 52 contestants to win the crown and the title of Miss America 2017, succeeding the outgoing Miss America Betty Cantrell.

Shields performed a jazz dance to a song from the TV show "Smash," for which she won a preliminary competition earlier in the week.

During the onstage interview portion of the competition, she was asked what she thought of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, one of several political questions asked of the contestants.

"If you're trying to be leader of the free world, everything you say and do matters and all of your actions are held to a higher standard," Shields said. "Both of the contestants have done a good job, but they also need to watch what they're doing."

Shields is an art major at the University of Arkansas who wants to help people make better food choices. Her secret dream is to be a backup dancer for Beyoncé.

The runners-up were as follows: Fourth runner-up, Miss Mississippi Laura Lee Lewis; third runner-up, Miss Washington Alicia Cooper; second runner-up Miss New York Camille Sims; first runner up Miss South Carolina Rachel Wyatt.

The first openly gay contestant in the Miss America pageant was eliminated Sunday night when the top 15 finalists were chosen.

Miss Missouri Erin O'Flaherty was not among the top 15 picked to advance in the pageant during its nationally televised finale.

She was the first openly gay contestant to win a state title.

Djuan Trent competed in the Miss America pageant as Miss Kentucky in 2011, when she finished in the top 10. She came out as a lesbian in 2014.

The top 15 finalists were: Kentucky; Washington; Massachusetts; Arkansas; South Carolina; Idaho; Iowa; Texas; California; Oklahoma; Maryland; New York; Tennessee; Louisiana, and Mississippi.

The pageant from Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall included contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The pageant began in Atlantic City in 1921 as a way to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day weekend.

</s>The outgoing Miss America, Betty Cantrell,second left, reacts as she tries to put a Miss America sash on winner Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields during the Miss America 2017 pageant, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlantic City, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Shields was crowned the new Miss America at the conclusion of the live finals Sunday night in Atlantic City. She became the new Miss America on a night where she referenced Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park in her introduction, performed a jazz dance routine and was cut off while responding to a question about her thoughts on Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Shields, interviewed by host Sage Steele just before being announced as the winner, noted the "sisterhood" with other contestants and called the experience "so special."

"Every single girl here would do an amazing job as Miss America," she said.

Earlier in the night in the question-and-answer round, Shields was asked about her thoughts on Clinton.

"If you're trying to be leader of the free world, everything you say and do matters and all of your actions are held to a higher standard," Shields said. "And unfortunately the media does love to sensationalize everything and it's hard to tell what is truth and what is truly scandal."

She went on to say both of the "contestants" in the race had done a "great job" before correcting herself with a laugh and saying she actually meant the candidates. Then, as Shields started to say Clinton and Trump "need to watch what they're doing," she was cut off because of a 20-second limit on responses.

Shields, who in a preliminary round of the competition last week won an earlier talent competition, was named Miss Arkansas in July.

Shields is a Fayetteville native who attends the University of Arkansas.</s>ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields won the Miss America pageant Sunday night in Atlantic City, becoming Arkansas' first Miss America in 35 years.

Shields topped a field of 52 contestants to win the crown and the title of Miss America 2017, succeeding the outgoing Miss America Betty Cantrell. She became the new Miss America on a night where she referred to Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park in her introduction and was cut off while responding to a question about her thoughts on Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Shields also performed a jazz dance to "They Just Keep Moving the Line" from the TV show Smash, for which she won a preliminary competition last week.

Shields, interviewed by host Sage Steele just before being announced as the winner, noted the "sisterhood" with other contestants and called the experience "so special."

"Every single girl here would do an amazing job as Miss America," she said.

During the onstage interview portion of the competition, she was asked what she thought of Clinton, one of several political questions asked of the contestants.

"If you're trying to be leader of the free world, everything you say and do matters and all of your actions are held to a higher standard," Shields said. "And unfortunately the media does love to sensationalize everything, and it's hard to tell what is truth and what is truly scandal."

She went on to say both of the "contestants" in the race had done a "good job," before correcting herself with a laugh and saying she actually meant the candidates. Then, as Shields started to say Clinton and Trump "need to watch what they're doing," she was cut off because of a 20-second limit on responses.

Shields, a Fayetteville native, who is an art major at the University of Arkansas who wants to help people make better food choices, and her secret dream is to be a backup dancer for Beyonce. She was named Miss Arkansas in July.

She is only the third Arkansan to be crowned Miss America, following Donna Axum Whitworth in 1963 and Elizabeth Ward Gracen in 1981.

The first runner-up Sunday night was Miss South Carolina Rachel Wyatt. The rest of the top five were Miss New York Camille Sims, Miss Washington Alicia Cooper and Miss Mississippi Laura Lee Lewis.

The rest of the top 15 finalists came from California, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Miss Missouri Erin O'Flaherty, the first openly gay contestant in the history of the pageant, was not among the top 15 picked to advance during the pageant's nationally televised finale.

Djuan Trent competed in the Miss America pageant as Miss Kentucky in 2011, when she finished in the top 10. She came out as a lesbian in 2014.

The pageant from Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall included contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The pageant began in Atlantic City in 1921 as a way to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day weekend.

Information for this article was contributed by Wayne Parry of The Associated Press and by staff members of Arkansas Online.</s>HOT SPRINGS — The state has a new Miss Arkansas after Savvy Shields won the Miss America pageant Sunday.

The Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant said Monday that Savannah Skidmore is the new Miss Arkansas 2016. Skidmore will assume the duties of Miss Arkansas because Shields is now Miss America.

Skidmore, who is 21, is from Calico Rock and is a senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in broadcast journalism. She'd competed at the Miss Arkansas pageant as Miss University of Arkansas and was named first runner-up.

During her year as Miss Arkansas, Skidmore will promote her personal platform of suicide prevention and awareness.</s>ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The Latest on the 2017 Miss America pageant (all times local):

Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields is the new Miss America.

Shields topped a field of 52 contestants to win the crown and the title of Miss America 2017 Sunday night in Atlantic City.

Shields performed a jazz dance to a song from the TV show “Smash,” for which she won a preliminary competition earlier in the week.

The pageant from Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall included contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The pageant began in Atlantic City in 1921 as a way to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day weekend.

The first openly gay contestant in the Miss America pageant has been eliminated from the competition.

Miss Missouri Erin O’Flaherty was not chosen as one of the top 15 finalists in Sunday night’s nationally televised pageant.

She is the first openly gay contestant to win a state title.

The top 15 finalists in the Miss America pageant have been announced. They are:

The new Miss America should be crowned around 11 p.m.

The 2017 Miss America pageant is underway in Atlantic City.

The competition features contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

They’re vying to succeed Betty Cantrell as the new Miss America.

The winner is expected to be crowned around 11 p.m. EST at Boardwalk Hall.

The sashes have been steamed, the hair teased and the routines polished.

Now, it’s up to the 52 contestants in the Miss America pageant to win the crown Sunday night in Atlantic City and become Miss America 2017.

The nationally televised finale will be held in Boardwalk Hall. It includes contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

One of them will have their lives changed forever, and receive a $50,000 scholarship.</s>Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields danced into the hearts of the judges to take the Miss America crown in Atlantic City on Sunday night.

The 21-year-old, an early front-runner this week after winning a preliminary talent competition, topped a field of 52 contestants to nab the title.

Shields, who succeeds outgoing Miss America Betty Cantrell, won a $50,000 scholarship along with the sparkling crown.

Miss South Carolina Rachel Wyatt was named the first runner-up and won a $25,00 scholarship. The second-runner up was Miss New York Camille Sims.

A senior at the University of Arkansas, Shields grabbed attention earlier this week with her jazz dance to They Just Keep Moving The Line from the series Smash.

Shields performed the dance once again on Sunday night after making the semifinals.

Miss Missouri Erin O'Flaherty, the first openly lesbian contestant in the pageant's history, did not crack the top 15.

Neither did Miss Michigan Arianna Quan, who made headlines earlier this week when she spoke out against critics who said she was too 'ugly' to be in the competition.

Along with Shields, Wyatt and Sims, the top 15 was rounded out by Miss Washington, Miss Massachusetts, Miss Idaho, Miss Iowa, Miss Texas, Miss California, Miss Oklahoma, Miss Maryland, Miss Tennessee, Miss Louisiana and Miss Mississippi.

The competition kicked off with the swimsuit round before the women strutted their stuff in evening gowns.

Then came the talent competition, which also featured a contemporary dance to a Carrie Underwood song by Miss South Carolina and baton twirling by Miss Texas.

The contestants were then asked about their thoughts on Donald Trump, Colin Kaepernick and Gretchen Carlson during the interview round.

Shields was asked what she thought of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

'Both of the contestants have done a good job, but they also need to watch what they're doing,' she said, before correcting herself to say 'candidates'.

Shields sported a black gown for her first walk as Miss America in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.

After taking part in a ceremonial toe-dip in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday morning, Shields' year-long duties as the titleholder will begin.

Shields will embark on a national speaking tour to serve her platform, Eat Better, Live Better, and will act as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Miss America was broadcast live on ABC and hosted by Chris Harrison, of The Bachelor, and ESPN personality Sage Steele.

Olympian Gabby Douglas, singer Ciara, and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban were the celebrity judges.

The pageant began in Atlantic City in 1921 as a way to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day weekend.

It returned to New Jersey after being held in Las Vegas for 10 years in 2013, receiving $12.5million in subsidies from the state.</s>Savvy Shields, the 21-year-old Miss Arkansas, won the title of Miss America 2017 — as well as a $50,000 college scholarship — on Sunday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.

The 2016 titleholder, Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell, crowned Shields, who took the iconic first walk wearing a black gown while waving and crying like her many predecessors.

Shields energized the at-time raucous crowd — which was studded with young women wearing gowns, crowns, and sashes from local pageants and from Miss America’s Outstanding Teen state levels — by performing a jazz dance to “They Just Keep Moving the Line.” During the question and answer period, Shields gave a safe response to a question about Hillary Clinton as posed to her by celebrity judge Gabby Douglas.

“It is unreal and I am so grateful for this,” Shields told reporters of her win immediately following the broadcast. “I am so honored and very humbled to be standing in front of you today as your Miss America. And that feels so weird to say out loud!”

The 1st runner-up was Miss South Carolina, Rachel Wyatt, who earned a $25,000 scholarship. Her talent was dance. The 2nd runner-up was Miss New York, Camille Sims, who sang the jazz standard “Sway” and won a $20,000 scholarship.

But judges — which included Olympic gold-medal gymnast Douglas, singer Ciara, actress Laura Maurano, Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban, Miss America 1985 Sharlene Wells Hawkes, and actress Sara Foster — ultimately landed on Shields, whose total high scores (comprised of 25 percent for a composite rating from the preliminaries, 10 percent for swimsuit, 15 percent for evening wear, 30 percent for talent, and 20 percent for the final question) nabbed her the crown.

After the broadcast, the judges spoke at a press conference about their decision, with Cuban telling Shields he was inspired to choose her because of his two daughters. “I think it’s important for them to have…women they can look up to. And you set the bar so high,” he said. Douglas added that she had a great time during the competition, noting, “It was kind of different because I’ve been judged all my life.” Wells Hawkes welcomed Shields to the “sorority,” praising her for her skills and grace. “She’s already got it that the role of Miss America is to shine the light on others,” the former titleholder said. “She understands the whole package.” During her 2017 reign, Shields, who is an art major at the University of Arkansas, will promote her platform of “Eat Better, Live Better.” The Miss America contest was started in 1921 as a bit of a marketing ploy — by a group of Atlantic City businessmen who created a week of festivities including the Atlantic City Bathing Beauty Contest as a way to extend the summer resort season past Labor Day. It was a success, and went through various permutations until evolving into a scholarship competition that now has a heavy focus on contestants’ social platforms, which ranged this year from childhood cancer awareness to anti-bullying. In 2004, the pageant left its seaside New Jersey home for Las Vegas, where it would remain until its return to Atlantic City in 2013, when the Miss American Organization then formed a partnership with Dick Clark Productions. A contract with the state Casino Reinvestment Development Authority will now keep the iconic pageant in Atlantic City through the 2019 competition. During the preliminaries in the week leading up to Sunday’s final competition, 23-year-old Arianna Quan, Miss Michigan, won the talent portion; the Beijing native also spoke out about immigration as part of her platform, called “Being American: Immigration & Citizenship Education.” Miss Ohio, Alice Magoto, in the Lifestyle and Fitness (Swimsuit) category in her black bikini. At 18 years old, she was this year’s youngest contestant. And Miss Missouri Erin O’Flaherty also made history (and many headlines) by being the first openly lesbian Miss America contestant. She had hoped to use the title to spread a message of diversity and of suicide prevention. “There is a little girl out there who maybe is struggling with her identity and doesn’t know who she, is or where she fits in, and maybe she will see me and realize that she could also be Miss America, even though she might be gay,” O’Flaherty, who was eliminated from the start of Sunday’s final competition, told Yahoo Beauty days earlier. “I just want to reach people who are struggling… And my message will really be that there is a place for everyone.” Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.</s>Miss Arkansa Savvy Shields waves to the crowd after being named Miss America 2017, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlantic City, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The heels came off but the crown stayed on as Miss America began her reign with a romp in the Atlantic City surf, hours after winning the title.

Savvy Shields, who represented Arkansas, won the crown Sunday night to become Miss America 2017.

She drew wide attention by calling on Democrats and Republicans to learn to compromise with each other again.

On Monday morning, she kicked off her sandals and walked across the seaside gambling resort's shell-strewn beach to the surf line, where she ran ankle-deep in the incoming waves and jumped into the air twice. She then posed next to a lifeboat in the traditional pose that Miss Americas strike the morning after winning the crown.

[PHOTOS: Miss Arkansas crowned new Miss America + more photos of Savvy Shields]

"This is such an iconic moment, the toe dip in Atlantic City that every Miss America does," she said.

Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian played on his name and that of the new Miss America in promoting his city.

"Obviously you have to be pretty savvy to become Miss America," he said. "And with Shields and a Guardian, Atlantic City will be safe for another year!"

Shields is an art major at the University of Arkansas who wants to help people make better food choices.

Her response to her onstage interview question helped propel Shields to the title. She was asked what she thought of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton; she answered that while both Clinton and Republican Donald Trump have done a good job thus far, "They also need to watch what they're doing."

"What I want both candidates to focus on is compromise," she said. "Our country was founded on compromise. We're in a state now where both parties just seem to be yelling at one another. I hope that at the end of my year, we're starting to reward politicians for compromise."

She topped a field of 52 contestants to win the crown and the title of Miss America 2017, succeeding the outgoing Miss America Betty Cantrell.

Shields performed a jazz dance to a song from the TV show Smash, for which she won a preliminary competition earlier in the week. She said she still has the soundtrack from the canceled TV show in her car, where she plays it often.

The runners-up were as follows: Fourth runner-up, Miss Mississippi Laura Lee Lewis; third runner-up, Miss Washington Alicia Cooper; second runner-up Miss New York Camille Sims; first runner-up Miss South Carolina Rachel Wyatt.

The first openly gay contestant in the Miss America pageant, Miss Missouri Erin O'Flaherty, was eliminated Sunday night when the top 15 finalists were chosen.

The pageant began in Atlantic City in 1921 as a way to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day weekend.</s>Nothing in life is certain except death, taxes … and the annual Miss America pageant! The Miss America 2017 ceremony on Sunday, September 11 — filled with the flashy, hyperfeminine glamour and old-fashioned beauty pageantry we’ve come to expect and enjoy — went off without a hitch. Well, almost!

The night leading up to Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields‘ ceremonial crowning was filled with pearly white smiles, glittery gowns and an army of tiny waistlines. The competition, hosted by The Bachelor’s Chris Harrison(naturally), started off with the introduction of this year’s judges: Olympian Gabby Douglas, Ciara, Cole Swindell, Sara Foster, Laura Marano, Miss America 1985 Sharlene Wells Hawkes and the one and only Mark Cuban. When host Sage Steele asked Douglas what she thought the hardest part of tonight’s competition was, the gold-medalist responded, “Balancing in heels.” She would know!

The evening started with 37 contestants getting cut, including internet favorite Miss Missouri, a.k.a. Erin O’Flaherty, the first openly gay contestant ever to grace the Miss America stage.

A Swimsuit Competition by Any Other Name …

Next came the swimsuit portion of the competition, cleverly rebranded as “Fitness and Swimsuit.” We’re still not sure what fitness has to do with wearing heels and bikinis, but the women rocked it nonetheless! When asked if she agreed with the swimsuit portion accounting for 10 percent of the overall score, Barely Famous star Foster awkwardly responded, “I think that that’s fair. I think that that’s the right amount.” Good to know that having your body fit into a specific beauty mold only counts for 10 percent — that’s progress, right?

Next came the evening gown portion. Our newly crowned Miss America, Savvy Shields of Arkansas, said of her black dress, “My evening gown is my favorite dress I’ve ever worn in my life. It’s black, but I still want to wear it if I get married one day.” Do we have a goth Miss America in our midst?

Then Miss Tennessee Grace Burgess managed to miss the mark on what makes Amal Clooney a remarkable female role model by only complimenting her superficial qualities, saying, “Amal Clooney is my idol. I love everything that she wears — especially her wedding wardrobe.”

In a tribute to the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the reigning Miss America, Betty Cantrell, sang her rendition of Katy Perry’s “Rise” in front of a montage of flags and burning candles

The talent portion came next and did not disappoint. The audience was treated to baton twirling, tap dancing and lots and lots of excellent singing voices — maybe they should change the name to “Miss American Idol.” Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer sang a stirring rendition of “God Bless America” but managed to bungle the lyrics, something that caught the attention of the Twitterverse right away. Our newly crowned Miss America, the blonde, blue-eyed Shields, treated viewers to a dance number and said, “I wanna be a backup dancer for Beyoncé!”</s>She topped a field of 52 contestants to win the crown and the title of Miss America 2017, succeeding the outgoing Miss America Betty Cantrell.

Shields performed a jazz dance to a song from the TV show “Smash,” for which she won a preliminary competition earlier in the week.

During the onstage interview portion of the competition, she was asked what she thought of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, one of several political questions asked of the contestants.

“Both of the contestants have done a good job, but they also need to watch what they’re doing,” she said.

The runners-up were as follows: Fourth runner-up, Miss Mississippi Laura Lee Lewis; third runner-up, Miss Washington Alicia Cooper; second runner-up Miss New York Camille Sims; first runner up Miss South Carolina Rachel Wyatt.

The first openly gay contestant in the Miss America pageant was eliminated Sunday night when the top 15 finalists were chosen.

Miss Missouri Erin O’Flaherty was not among the top 15 picked to advance in the pageant during its nationally televised finale.

She was the first openly gay contestant to win a state title.

Djuan Trent competed in the Miss America pageant as Miss Kentucky in 2011, when she finished in the top 10. She came out as a lesbian in 2014.

The top 15 finalists were: Kentucky; Washington; Massachusetts; Arkansas; South Carolina; Idaho; Iowa; Texas; California; Oklahoma; Maryland; New York; Tennessee; Louisiana, and Mississippi.

The pageant from Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall included contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The pageant began in Atlantic City in 1921 as a way to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day weekend.
The Miss America 2017 pageant is held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with Savvy Shields, currently Miss Arkansas, winning the event.