It may have hurt TV ratings, but Franklin isn't bothered by the fact that she didn't parade around the stage in a bikini Sunday night.
Just two days into her reign as Miss America, Nia Franklin is already settling into her new role.
She said wearing the crown "feels amazing" and "surreal."
She sang opera for her performance, saying, "You either have it or you don't, but you've got to go out and sing."
The pageant's decision to nix the bikini competition seems to have hurt the TV ratings as the weekend’s pageant was the lowest ever for a network broadcast.
But Miss America says she’s fine with it.
"I preferred not to be on stage with a swimsuit for a scholarship competition," she said.
Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander wanted to try on the crown but she was told no by officials off camera.
“You gotta win it to wear it,” they said.
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