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Kirsten Haglund Miss Michgan Wines Miss America
Biography of Kirsten Haglund
HOMETOWN:
Farmington Hills
AGE:
19
PLATFORM:
Raising Awareness of Eating Disorders
TALENT:
Operetta Vocal, "Adele's Laughing Song"
EDUCATION:
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music
LOCAL PAGEANT:
Miss Oakland County (Francesca Tuzzolino - ED)
SCHOLASTIC AMBITION:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater Performance
Pursue a career on Broadway
Kirsten Haglund (Miss Michigan 2007) was crowned Miss America 2008, by Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson.
Posted January 27th, 2008 by Armen Hareyan
First my congradulations go to Kirsten Haglund for her winning the crawn of Miss America 2008. I think she won the the crawn in a fair contest. Judges have certain criteria when judging the peagent. However, I agree that raising the minimum age is a good idea.
Wow- I think that 19 is WAY TOO YOUNG to be crowned Miss America. If they wanted this to be "Today's Woman"- they should have picked someone like Miss Utah who served in the military in Afghanistan and is a medic/nurse. Maybe she was not your typical pagent pro- but at least people would be interested in her and actually remember something about her! Most people won't remember anything unique about the new winner-19 is just too young for today's "real" woman. There were plenty of other contestants who could have done a better job. The new winner is a pretty girl- but yes, a girl. And as far as career choices are, they could have chosen someone who is pursuing a "realistic" career instead of Broadway. I think that an educated person would be a better role model for the average woman. (People who contribute to their communities, volunteer, and pursue education- and are pretty.) I was hoping that this year's pagent would be re-vamped, and instead found it silly and a waste of time. Passing out "carbohydrates and cream puffs" to the losers? Come on, that was insulting. And for the swimsuit competition- a few of the women looked like they were going to start pole dancing! I just thought it was too shallow for a real modern women. Sorry TLC and Miss America- way out of touch with REAL WOMEN!
Although 19 may seem young to us today, I don't believe her actual age should give anyone problems. It's her maturity level that really matters. As I personally happen to know this wonderful young lady I would advise you to not judge a book by it's cover. Look a little deeper into her "pageant qualities". To accomplish this at her age is truly tremendous and I am proud that she will represent American women. As for her career - I myself am a musical theatre major. I too pursue dreams of Broadway but my biggest goal is just to be a working actor. Some people think of this as a frivolous career... I strongly disagree. This career requires intelligence as well as luck and a whole lot of talent. For example, I was wait-listed for Harvard's English program and have been on the dean's list every semester. A B.F.A in musical theatre requires a double major in Theatre and Music with a Minor in dance. I work two jobs as well as being a full time student with rehearsals at night. Now, imagine that I hold the title of Miss America. I am a couple years older, but as a musical theatre student I felt I needed to respond to the common misunderstandings of my career. Please be aware that actors can be the most intelligent people you ever meet. Thank you. And good day.
Congratulations to Kirsten Haglund, our new Miss America!! You have made us all proud here in Michigan. What an absolutely beautiful girl.
As far as age is concerned, it is the "Miss" America pageant, not the "Ms." or "Mrs." America pageant. Kirsten won because she's just plain lovely.
Congrats to my fellow Michiganian Kristen Haglund. However, the first Miss USA was only 15 years old when she won. Eighteen years old is just fine for a minimum age. Way to go!
For something that was supposed to be different, it sure was typical. Miss Michigan's dress was extremely revealing, echoing Brittany Spears' nearly nude outfit from a previous music awards. Too bad modern doesn't meant elegant and educated. How about rewarding violin talent? What about rewarding elegance such as with Miss Wisconsin or Miss Virginia? I don't understand. This result is not new. I had looked forward to this year's pageant. What qualifications do these judges use anyway? Signed a very disappointed young, professional, woman with a doctorate who is wishing for better role models for our young women.
Wow what an absolute letdown. Miss Michigan was so typical Miss America, and I thought her singing, dress and hairstyle were awful! Miss Washington seemed so much more down to earth and gave a much more intelligent answer. I have been watching the TLC Reality Check, and it was a waste of time. All this talk about changing and revamping the image and we still end up with your typical blond wonderbread stereotypical winner which does nothing to establish a connection to real American women.
What an absolute waste of time. There wasn't even anything special about her, she had a great shape, but that was it. Boooooo TLC. You fell right back into the stereotype and strung us along.
I was soooo let down by this pageant. I watched the Reality Check show and thought that the winner was going to represent real women. So another unforgettable blonde won, yawn, yawn. I am glad that an effort was made to update, but there are a few kinks. The emcee kept apologizing for having to be the bearer of bad news. Got it dude. And he was generally uneasy. Too many blondes in the finals (did I already address the blonde thing? Sorry). I did like the gowns. There were some really pretty and daring choices, and flattering. I loved Miss Utah all the way through (I know, she's a blonde, but with an edgy style)and agree with Lydia that she is so representative of a woman with strength, not to mention a service and health career. She was able to view herself with humor and appreciate her beauty and that of the women around her. I think her choice of a non-bikini swimsuit killed her chances, which is too bad. Oh, well. There's always next year, if I bother to be drawn in by promises of a beauty pageant that can select a nontypical type of beauty.
about time we go with beuty rather than brains
Actually, she is a straight A student with high academic honors. She comes from a family that emphasizes values and academics. She happened to turn out beautiful as well.
A few comments..1) Miss Michigan sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow (badly) and not Operetta Vocal, "Adele's Laughing Song", as you have posted above--that was California's talent. And 2) I agree with those who feel there really was no change after all in the pageant. Michigan seemed like a nice girl, but her talent was poor, her dress (I thought) not at all modern or the updated. Finally, I know it would be more time consuming, but they really should do the talent portion first. It is distressing to see a group of finalists with little or no real talent.
I think it is wonderful that Miss Michigan won. I am from way up north in Michigan, about as far as you can get, and I think it's awesome that she won. She will be representing Michigan and we are all proud of her.
I don't understand how Miss Michigan won.
Her rendition of 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' was terrible. My friend and I mimicked her in our worst voices because it honestly did sound like that. The ending? Horrendous.
So how can someone who wears a terrible dress and have no talent ( at least in singing ) win the entire pageant? I was rooting for Miss Utah or Indiana. Alas, yet again, another let down. Yet, I shouldn't be surprised, I saw it coming.
First I would like to say that as an Executive Director in the state of Michigan, Kirsten Haglund would have won with the set of judges we had in our local pageants, our state pageants and the National Pageant. The phases of competition being Talent 35%, Interview being 25%, swimsuit 20%, onstage question 5% and evening gown 15% and not to mention 30% of her preliminary swimsuit win would carry on into the finals. EVen if she ACED all areas but talent, she would have WON. Talent isn't all about the voice, but her presence and poise and how she keeps the audience entertained and interested. Interview, well watch her on Regis and Kelly, this girl can talk and let me tell you something...SHE SPEAKS AMAZING AND VERY STRONG. I couldn't think of a better person to have gotten the position as MISS AMERICA 2008.
Now all of the girls did amazing, but according to the scoring rules of the miss america organization, she was the winner after top 8 was announced.
How did she win?
Interview.
Watch Regis & Kelly and every other morning news show on Monday that will be covering her... I think it will answer a lot of the questions posted here.
Her appearance on the talk shows definitely showed what an incredibly beautiful, mature, talented, intelligent and gifted young woman Kirsten Haglund is. This girl will be a fabulous goodwill ambassador for America! She is centered and grounded in her faith.
The pageant isn't just a two hour deal that you saw on TLC, it's a culmination of a week of grueling performances and interviews. Kirsten is an incredible human being and she nailed every single event. Hold your keyboards people...she is going to be a great star!!!! And those of you who don't know her personally like I do will be ashamed of yourselves!!!!
The rest of you naysayers are all jealous!!!!!
Kirsten-a breath of fresh air to us all
Kirsten is a beautiful young woman, inside and out. I know her personally and when you are in her presence, it's inevitable that you will at some point think to yourself, "What an incredible person, so poised and articulate." It's fair to say she didn't do as well singing "Over the Rainbow" as others songs she has sung; she truly does have a good voice...not to mention incredible dexterity in dance. For those who don't know what a blessing she is to our community and states...hopefully you will be able to see more of her interviews, because this is what makes clear why she was chosen to be our Miss America 2008. Kirsten is a breath of fresh air to us all. Please pray for this woman as she embarks upon a glorious journey of experiencing so many new things and touching many different lives of young women with dreams just as big as hers. Kirsten is a woman of faith, so please, let's have faith in her.
Kirsten Haglund is a pretty young lady but, the 'best' of those contestants?? New format leaves a LOT to be desired. Miss Michigan and many of the young ladies with those tacky swimsuits looked like prime examples from your local "Powerhouse Gym". Some of the gowns, including Kirsten's very revealing one, left a lot to be desired. What happened to the 'elegant and classy' young ladies we used to see. I'm not against modernizing, but please do it with taste. Some of the posing, dresses, etc., looked like preliminaries to a strip show. These young ladies would have been a lot more representative of our "Modern Woman" in jazzy, but tastefully designed clothes. Try the 'middle ground' next year and let's see 20 as the minimum age (18- Miss Teen America)leave out the muscular, bold and brassy and go for educated, elegant and classy to win over your audience.
I just can't get over that dress. I would never want my daughter to be wearing something so revealing. I thought part of the Miss America pageant was to inspire girls to achieve and RESPECT themselves.
miss washington, she is funny smart down to earth and just would have been perfect for the position.
i agree that it was a bit of an upset but i don't think you should judge her because shes blonde.
i am blonde and quite intelligent.
your saying that they are being sterotypical, but yet some of your comments are being sterotypical.
and coming from a 17 year old, i think that contradicts what your trying to say.
Miss America
I was surprised to see Miss Michigan win. I thought Miss California, Texas or Washington deserved to win. I think that the minimum age should be 20. I do not think that 18 year olds should be competing for state titles and then at 19 be competing for Miss America. Let them have their teenage and beginning college years and get some education under their belt before going for this.