White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of one of the most powerful clubs in America.

Miss America Contestants in DC: First Stop – L’Hommage Bistro Francais

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The state title holders of this year’s Miss America pageant took DC by storm this week as each of the girls went to visit their respective members of Congress to push for college affordability on the Hill. The contestants are entering a weeklong orientation that included a speech by Senator John McCain and a tour of the White House. They were also hosted by owner Hankin Ilhan (in the white shirt) at the new L’Hommage Bistro Francais in Mt. Vernon Triangle.

This year’s Miss America pageant will be held on September 11 in Atlantic City and will be hosted by Chris Harrison, star of ABC’s “The Bachelor”, who is returning for his eighth year as host.

You can find out more about the contestants’ visit and their advocacy for college affordability here.

Miss America bakes at Dog Tag Bakery, Georgetown Cupcake co-founders share tips on success

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Georgetown Cupcake owners Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne and Miss America Kira Kazantsev stand with the second class of Dog Tag Bakery.

Georgetown Cupcake owners Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne and Miss America Kira Kazantsev stand with the second class of Dog Tag Bakery.

Kira Kazantsev, Miss America 2015, and Georgetown Cupcake owners Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne visited Dog Tag Bakery to speak to military veterans, in the second class of Dog Tag Bakery, about their experiences in personal branding and running a small business.

As Kira Kazantsev nears the end of her work on behalf of the Miss America Organization with the crowning of the 2016 Miss America on September 13, Kazantsev emphasized the importance of establishing a personal brand and utilizing personal skill sets to be a leader.  “Here I am at the end of my reign and I feel really, really proud of everything I’ve been able to do because I’ve stuck with who I am as a person, and who I am as a personal brand. When I carry forward as Kira, I’m going to be the woman who’s strong on women’s issues and is passionate about the military and will care more about giving back than about whatever I do in my personal career. So that’s what I’m selling,” Kazantsev said to her audience, initiating laughter. “But it’s true!”

Miss America Kira Kazantsev speaks to the second class of Dog Tag Bakery.

Miss America Kira Kazantsev speaks to the second class of Dog Tag Bakery.

Business professionals, sisters and co-founders of Georgetown Cupcake, Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, also spoke to the Dog Tag fellows about the challenges in creating, managing and growing a small business. “I think that is a constant issue for all business owners. How do you scale your business but maintain what makes it special? And for us the answer has been to stay in the weeds. No matter how big you grow, you need to be in the details, everyday,” Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne said.

These leadership experts spoke in the Dog Tag Bakery classroom on the second floor of Dog Tag Bakery, located in Georgetown, Washington DC. The Dog Tag Inc. program helps veterans transition back to civilian life through a business education program. By taking a series of business classes in the classroom space at Dog Tag Bakery, military veterans and spouses have the opportunity to receive their Certificate in Business Administration from Georgetown University to further capitalize on their acquired skill sets.

To donate to Dog Tag Inc, go to http://www.dogtaginc.org/make-a-donation/. Also make sure to visit Dog Tag Bakery to support our nation’s veterans.

Follow Miss America Kira Kazantsev and Georgetown Cupcake on Twitter @Miss America and @GTownCupcake.

3 Months Till the White House Correspondents' Weekend

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Polson Kanneth of ABC News and International superstar Aamir Kahn

Polson Kanneth of ABC News and International superstar Aamir Kahn

The booking competition begins! Which media organization will win the White House Correspondents’ Weekend guest sweepstakes and land the biggest, most engaging stars for the weekend. It’s big business for the news organizations to bring together their best clients and important friends for a weekend of star-gazing and conversation with Washington’s top players.

Vanity Fair and Bloomberg are at the top of the list but Christian Broadcasting and Politico always deliver interesting guests. At White House Correspondents Insider we will follow all the action. To get you in the mood here is last year’s White House Correspondents Garden Brunch video.

Miss America Heads to Clinton Global Initiative

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The 2014 Miss America is heading into her first global initiative today, even if she is a New York native.

As she continues her ongoing reign, Nina Davuluri is handling the previous social media issues with her #circlesofunity campaign. She even had a brief moment to talk to her hometown paper when it came to which medical school where she’d apply. Even after a brief stop in the District, it seems like Miss America can’t stop being whisked from one event to the next when it comes to educating the public on her platform for diversity.

Which is exactly what the Clinton Global Initiative embodies, even if it has lighthearted moments where Bono impersonates Bill Clinton and vice versa.

Social Media Redeems Itself after Miss America

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There’s no lack of support for the new Miss America Nina Davuluri two days after being crowned for 2014. When social media reactions were filled with racist tweets and condescending remarks, Nina found immediate support from people on YouTube and op-eds on CNN.

Roxanne Jones reminded any potential haters that the 2014 Miss New York wasn’t the first or last woman of color to be crowned Miss America:

“You are not the first woman of color to take the crown. It was 30 years ago that Vanessa Williams became the first black Miss America. Seven other black women and one Asian woman have won since then. And most went on to successful careers.
But whenever this happens, those pesky bigots climb out of their caves to rant and rave and spew their ignorance about why it’s not fair. Ignore them.”

Anna Johns, on an op-ed for NPR, wrote specifically about those on Twitter who would go on to be shamed via Buzzfeed after deleting their tweets:

“It was exactly that sort of pushback that led to many of the most offensive tweets being deleted; there is a growing awareness that racist comments impulsively tweeted are likely to be challenged. Most people don’t enjoy being shamed, which is what happened as the worst tweets were favorited and retweeted in a bid to expose those who would flaunt their ignorance.”

Meanwhile Davuluri is already hitting the airwaves, teaching Kelly and Michael how to dance:

along with her full interview:

New Miss America Crowned in Atlantic City

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2014 Miss America Nina Davuluri.

2014 Miss America Nina Davuluri.


Miss New York Nina Davuluri is the new 2014 Miss America. Davuluri was chosen last night after a week of competition in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

USA Today had the 24-year old Miss New York “sashayed off with the tiara and the $50,000 scholarship cash. She performed a Bollywood fusion dance (after missing her cue at first) and answered a question about plastic surgery. (‘Be confident in who you are!’) She said she hopes to become a doctor, like her father, who is an obstetrician.”

During the judge Q&A, Davuluri discussed the topic of plastic surgery after CBS on-air personality Julie Chen revealed she had a procedure due to demands from her then-employer to look less asian. But Davuluri is already winning over the public, whether its Glamour’s five reasons or the reaction from social media during her coronation.

She told The Independent UK during the press conference last night, “I have to rise above that.”

Heading back to Atlantic City worked out well for Miss America with a massive ratings boost bringing back numbers not seen since 2004. Davuluri will celebrate today with a dip in the Atlantic and then her newfound Miss America duties.

The Miss America Preliminaries Close Before "Shoe Us Your Shoes"

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The 53 contestants for the 2014 Miss America competition. photo: B. Vartan

The 53 contestants for the 2014 Miss America competition. photo: B. Vartan


The preliminaries for the Miss America pageant are over as the 53 contestants prepare for Sunday’s grand finale. The winners of last night’s final prelim program were Miss Georgia Carly Mathis and Miss Florida Myrrhanda jones winning the swimsuit and talent categories, respectively.

In honor of Miss Arkansas’ clogging, NJ.com goes through some of the less traditional talent choices over the many years of Miss America competition. But last night was also honoring other Miss America traditions, such as former Miss America Donna Axum Whitworth, who was crowned back in 1964 where she was Miss Arkansas and used her scholarship to help complete her Bachlore’s and Master’s degree at University of Arkansas.

The final prelim for 2014 featured a new twist for the swimsuit category when Miss Kansas Theresa Vall showed off more than her shoes–her tattoos.

The 22-year old sergeant currently serving in the U.S. Army features two tattoos–one the Serenity Prayer, the other the symbol of the U.S. Army Dental Corps. Coincidentally, she’s also the second contestant to ever be on active duty while participating the Miss America pageant.

The Washington Post spoke to Miss D.C. Bindhu Pamarthi who spoke about her experience in the pageant when it comes to nerves:
“The stage fright actually hasn’t gone away…At the same time, I definitely have developed a technique for how you deal with that anxiety. I know how to channel that into energy and charisma on stage.”

The weekend kicks off tomorrow with the annual “Show Us Your Shoes” parade, which Miss Maine Sondra Celli is going to stand out thanks to 50,000 Swarovski crystals and the rest of her parade attire from the Maine Sun Journal. Rumor has it that there will be a pair of bedazzled Louboutins.

Miss America Honors 9/11 During Preliminaries

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Miss America 2013

Sam Haskell, CEO of the Miss America Organization, with Miss Minnesota and Miss Oklahoma at the 2013 Miss America competition. Via YouTube.

The second night of the Miss America preliminary competition saw two new winners along with a somber tribute to September 11th.

Last night’s program opened with the Spotlight Performers Show Choir’s rendition of “God Bless America.” Speaking to the AP, Miss America Organization CEO Sam Haskell recalled what happened on the date in 2001:

“No one knew what to do. Should we cancel? There was no book to follow…They’d be damned if they let a vicious enemy keep them from celebrating those values. Those girls stood up. And they are still standing.”

Miss Oklahoma Kelly Griswold and Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh both won scholarships during last night’s preliminary. Griswold took home a $1,000 schoalrship for the swimsuit competition while Yeh received $2,000 during the talent competition for her performance. Since the regionals, Yeh has been stunning crowds with her playing:

“It’s been a huge way for me to give back to other people,” Yeh said. “I love sharing with other people whenever I can.”

Including Tuesday’s winners Miss Mississippi Chelsea Rick and Miss New Hampshire Samantha Russo there are now four scholarship winners thanks to the Miss America Organization. Thursday will be the final preliminary before the weekend’s festivities including the famous “Show Us Your Shoes” parade followed by the big event on Sunday night at 9pm on ABC.

When Scandal and White House Correspondents' Presidents Collide at The 20th Annual Garden Brunch

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President Fitzgerald Grant (better known as Tony Goldwyn) met White House Correspondents Association President Ed Henry today at The 20th Annual Garden Brunch. The ‘legendary’ meeting that crossed two universes went out earlier through a livestream that culminated (at the 2:37 mark) with remarks from co-hosts honoring the White House Correspondents’ Association, CURE Epilepsy and The Miss America Foundation. Taking place at the historic Beall-Washington House, where else would you expect the perfect blend of Washington media, Hollywood and tech influences like Uber’s Travis Kalanick, Revolution’s Steve Case or even a gold medalist like Gabby Douglas?

Attendees rounded through R Street into the horseshoe to be greeted with CURE iPhone covers and #STEM branded protractors to give a hint at why Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics are being so vetted by the Miss America Foundation to strengthen education for young women. And it’s true, the Garden Brunch is full of “Things Beltway People Like.”

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At the brunch alone you could find Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery posing with “Homeland”‘s Morena Baccarin or Kevin Spacey shaking hands with Navid Negahban and MC Hammer.Then there were the entire cast of Netflix’s “House of Cards” while Gerard Butler of “Olympus Has Fallen” came to lift the spirits of the brunch patrons.

Greta Van Susteren and husband John Coale, whose announcement that she would not attend the WHCA dinner made headlines, was dragged over to the red carpet by Kevin Spacey. For those around it felt like a House of Cards moment when he commanded Greta to “Stand next to me.”

There were even appearences from White House officials like Valerie Jarrett, Gene Sperling, Alan Krueger Tina Tchen (and daughter Emma), FLOTUS chief of staff and her Communications Director Kristina Schake and Reggie Love. House Leader Eric Cantor came to present the CURE Heroes Award to Pat and Patty Horan, an Iraqi war veteran who suffers from seisures. Senator Joe Manchin and Representative Darrell Issa mingled in the crowd with media heavies Joanna Coles, Editor of Cosmopolitian Magazine, David Carr and Jeremy Peters of the New York Times, Chris Hughes of The New Republic, Patty Rockenwagner, from Conde Nast, Alex Korson and Louis Bergholz, of Morning Joe, Toure And during the remarks given by Brunch co-hosts Tammy Haddad and Hilary Rosen, Google’s Eric Schmidt and Internet Investor and Fundamental Physics Prize Founder Yuri Milner happened to be near stage right.

Angel Investor Ron Conway led the giving with a pledge of $5,000 to each of the causes as Mayor Ed Lee and Mayor Villaraigosa talking to Steve Case and other tech leaders including Joe Green who is leading Mark Zuckerberg’s new political efforts in Washington.

Check out some of our photos in the slideshow below: