Miss New York crowned Miss USA 1999

The Associated Press

BRANSON, Mo. -- She loves football, the Buffalo Bills, their quarterback Doug Flutie, and her boyfriend, too. But Miss New York Kimberly Ann Pressler did say she would drop the latter in a heartbeat to be a beauty queen.

On Saturday, she began to find out if true love must wait, for at least a year anyway, while she reigns as Miss USA 1999. "Oh definitely I would," Pressler said, breaking up the audience, when asked during Friday night's Miss USA competition if she would drop her boyfriend to become the beauty pageant's queen. "I think if true love is there it will be there afterward," she added as she waved to the boyfriend, who sat among an audience of 4,000 at Branson's Grand Palace. After two hours of contestants modeling bathing suits and evening gowns, dancing, and exchanging quips with a panel of interviewers, the decision of the celebrity judges was announced. Pressler, a 21-year-old international business student from the University of Buffalo, who is also considering a career as an actress, was crowned the 48th Miss USA. Afterward she proclaimed it the most wonderful experience of her life. "Can you guys tell I'm happy?" she asked a crowd of reporters as camera flashes exploded around her. "I feel my smile is filling up my whole face."

Copyright 1999
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