Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell Crowned Miss America 2016 After Tackling Tom Brady Deflategate Question—Watch!

Annual pageant also featured an apology directed at fellow judge Vanessa Williams

By Mike Vulpo Sep 14, 2015 3:39 AMTags
Betty CantrellDonald Kravitz/Getty Images for dcp

Ladies and gentlemen, meet your new Miss America! 

Sunday night marked the annual competition that featured beauty pageants from every state competing for the special crown.

Hosted by Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke-Charvet, the event wasn't short on suspense or beauty as finalists were forced to show off their talents and answer tough questions. So who came out on top? None other than Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell.

After displaying her opera voice and expressing her hopes to become a Broadway star, the brunette beauty was asked to share her thoughts on the biggest sports scandal of the year.

"New England Quarterback Tom Brady was suspended for his part in the so-called Deflategate scandal," judge Brett Eldredge shared. "Legalities aside, did Tom Brady cheat?"

After asking the country artist to repeat the question, Cantrell revealed her surprising answer that clearly impressed the judges.

"Did he cheat? That's a really good question. I'm not sure," she admitted in less than 20 seconds. "I think I'd have to be there and see the ball and feel it and make sure it was deflated or not deflated. If there was question there, then yes, I think he cheated."

She continued, "If there was any question to be had, I think that he definitely cheated and he should have been suspended for that. That's not fair." 

Ultimately, her answer would help the brunette beat out runner up Miss Mississippi and 49 other beauties for the top prize. "So HONORED to be your #MissAmerica 2016!" she wrote on Twitter moments after being crowned the winner. "A night I will never forget! 

Congratulations to all of the contestants!