Images: Miss America
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell is the new Miss America.
Cantrell rode an opera performance to the title in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall Sunday night, besting 51 other competitors in the nationally televised pageant.
The pageant also marked the return of Miss America 1984 Vanessa Williams, who was back for the first time after resigning the crown following a nude photo scandal. Pageant executive chairman Sam Haskell apologized to Williams on behalf of the pageant.
"I want to apologize for anything that was said or done," Haskell told Williams as they stood on the stage. "Vanessa: Welcome back!"
For Williams, who went on to stardom on television and on the Broadway stage, it was a triumphant return to the Miss America stage.
"I did the best I could in my reign as Miss America," she said during Sunday's pageant.
Cantrell sang an opera number for her talent performance.
She won a preliminary competition earlier in the week, also with an opera performance.
Preliminary competition in talent, interviews, evening wear and swimsuit competition ran through Thursday.
Former Miss America Vanessa Williams performs during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J. Williams also tackled judging duties for the evening.
Associated Press
As host Chris Harrison, right, listens, Miss America's Chairman and CEO Sam Haskell III apologizes to former singer and actress Vanessa Williams, who gave up resigned her title, during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Hosts Chris Harrison, center, and Brooke Burke-Charvet, left, join Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Mississippi Hannah Roberts competes in the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Tennessee Hannah Robison competes during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Colorado Kelley Johnson is congratulated as she moves on to the next round during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Contestants wear swimsuits as they compete in the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Iowa Taylor Wiebers, left, follows Miss Colorado Kelley Johnson as they compete during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell reacts as she is crowned Miss America 2016 by Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev at the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell waves after being crowned Miss America 2016 at the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell is crowned Miss America 2016 by Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev at the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell greets a fan after being crowned Miss America 2016 at the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell, left, reacts after being named Miss America 2016 at the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Betty Cantrell of Georgia reacts after being named Miss America 2016 during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev crowns Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell as Miss America 2016 during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Betty Cantrell of Georgia reacts after being named Miss America 2016 during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss America contestants react after Betty Cantrell, right, of Georgia, was named Miss America 2016 during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
The 2016 Miss America pageant contestants pose for a photo on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, N.J., Friday after rehearsals. Winners in the swimsuit and talent preliminary competitions accrue points that boost their scores heading into Sunday night's nationally televised finale.
The Press of Atlantic City via AP
Miss Puerto Rico Destiny Noelle Velez plays the drums during the third night of preliminary competition Thursday in the 2016 Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Contestants compete in the swimsuit competition in the third night of preliminary competition Thursday in the 2016 Miss America competition in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Contestants compete in the swimsuit competition in the third night of preliminary competition in the 2016 Miss America competition Thursday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Contestants compete in the swimsuit portion of the second night of preliminary competition in the 2016 Miss America pageant on Wednesday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
This Sept. 1, 2015 photo shows Miss Vermont Alayna Westcom during a welcoming ceremony in Atlantic City, N.J. Westcom won't be twirling a baton, tap dancing or belting out a Broadway show tune at the Miss America pageant Thursday night, instead, the 2016 Miss Vermont will don protective goggles, mix some chemicals and create a foamy eruption she calls "elephant's toothpaste" when it's her turn to perform in the talent portion of the third and final night of preliminary competition.
Associated Press
Contestants compete in the swimsuit portion of the second night of preliminary competition in the 2016 Miss America pageant on Wednesday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
This Tuesday photo shows contestants in the 2016 Miss America pageant walking the runway at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., on the first night of preliminary competition. The second of three nights of preliminaries was to be held Wednesday night.
Associated Press
In this photo taken Wednesday, contestants compete in the evening gown portion of preliminary competition in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J. The third and final night of preliminary competition will be Thursday, and the new Miss America will be crowned at Sunday night's nationally televised finale.
Associated Press
This Tuesday photo shows contestants in the 2016 Miss America pageant walking the runway at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N..J. on the first night of preliminary competition. The second of three nights of preliminaries was to be held Wednesday night.
Associated Press
This Tuesday photo shows contestants in the 2016 Miss America pageant walking the runway at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N..J., on the first night of preliminary competition. The second of three nights of preliminaries was to be held Wednesday night.
Associated Press
In this Monday, Sept. 8, photo, Miss Idaho Kalie Wright sings "Over the Rainbow" during the first night of preliminary competition in the 2016 Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N..J. The second of three nights of preliminary competition was due to begin Wednesday night.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell, left, reacts with Miss South Carolina Daja Dial, center, and Miss Oklahoma Georgia Frazier after being named Miss America 2016 during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Betty Cantrell, of Georgia, reacts after being crowned Miss America 2016 during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell, left, reacts with Miss South Carolina Daja Dial, center, and Miss Oklahoma Georgia Frazier after being named Miss America 2016 during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell, left, reacts with Miss South Carolina Daja Dial, second from left, and Miss Oklahoma Georgia Frazier, second from right, after being named Miss America 2016 during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Oklahoma Georgia Frazier competes in the swimsuit competition during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Florida Mary Katherine Fechtel competes in the swimsuit competition during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell waves after being crowned Miss America 2016 Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell participates in the swimsuit competition during the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J. Cantrell was crowned 2016 Miss America.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell reacts during the swimsuit competition at the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J. Cantrell was crowned 2016 Miss America.
Associated Press
Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell reacts during the swimsuit competition at the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J. Cantrell was crowned 2016 Miss America.
Associated Press
Newly crowned Miss America Betty Cantrell, left, stands with musician and actor Vanessa Williams at the 2016 Miss America pageant Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J.
Associated Press
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