Best_Opening_Numbers_Miss

We picked this opening number because of its historical significance. First, this is the first Miss USA Pageant where the contestants were NOT introduced in their state costumes. Second, this is the beginning of the "new and more modern" look for Miss USA. It also has one of PLP's favorite Miss USA theme songs, Right in the Middle. It might have taken people a while to get use to this new look but it was definitely a sneak peak for what's instore for future pageants.

Don't be amazed but our 3rd Runner Up choice is yet another pageant held in Wichita, Kansas. The opening number of this particular pageant is quite interesting. It started with a jet, being piloted by Miss USA 1992, Shannon Marketic, who was trying to get permission to land at Wichita Airport. Supposedly there was a coyote on the runway and that's why there was a delay of clearance for Shannon. It was great that they incorporated Wichita's number one industry in the opening, which is aeronautics. The opening song of this pageant has to be one of the best and most meaningful, Dawning of a New Day. This pageant also brought back the state costumes for the very last time.

Surprise! It's another one from Wichita! This pageant's opening number brings back memories of the early 80's Miss USA. The opening sequence of Kelli McCarty giving the introduction at the Keeper of the Plains statue, with fireworks in the background, just gave the audience a sense of excitement and festiveness of the occassion. You follow that up with a much faster version of the theme song, Right in the Middle, just kept you in the mood. The choreography of the opening number was fantastic, combined with a stage shaped like the map of the United States (which was used in a previous pageant) just made you feel proud to be an American!

The opening sequence, which brought the audience back the previous year's crowning moment, where they showed Ali Landry's friends and family await the announcement of the winner, and their reaction afterwards was just so fun to watch. On top of that, the production team of Miss USA that year took a big chance in using a simulated fashion show for their opening number...and it worked!!! It was fun, exciting and fresh. The back ground music that incorporated the annoucement of each candidates' states as they strutted down the runway was awesome.

PLP's choice for the Best Opening Number is from the 1982 Miss USA Pageant in Biloxi, Mississippi. What made this opening the best is because it made the audience feel the excitement from beginning to end. The production was unsurpassed! From Kim Silbreed's introduction in front of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, to the first glimpse of that year's contestants stepping off of a river boat, to a shot of the backstage staff, co-hosts and performers, to the theme song, Tonight's the Night. The stage was also spectacular with fountains in the back, stars and stripes everywhere, the alternating duet between the contestants and the Naval Air Training Command Choir was fantastic. A definite thumbs up to whoever choreograph the production number because there were just so many people on stage, plus so many intricate movements and people coming and going from different directions was just phenomenal. You know it's the best when it gives you goosebumps when you watch it...and this one definitely did that!