Shortly after appearing on “Millionaire,” Redd was named one of Glamour magazine’s top ten college women, which also recognized her co-authorship of a Princeton Review book about the gender gap in SAT scores.
According to Miss Virginia organizers, about 700 Nancy Redd fans from her hometown packed buses and braved hurricane winds to support her. Many of those that managed to make it through weather delays in time for the parade became so excited when the two high school bands from Virginia marched by, led by Nancy’s brother Sammy Redd, they joined in the march. Most wore red Miss Virginia shirts with “Redd Hott” emblazoned on the back.
“It’s always been Nancy’s impulse to reach out and communicate with people,” said Sammy Redd, regarding the high fan turnout. “She doesn’t hesitate to share herself.”
When eliminated contestants returned to the stage to hear the final winner named, hundreds of Redd supporters loyally shouted her name en masse.
Ericka Dunlap, Miss Florida, was eventually crowned Miss America.
—Staff writer Irin Carmon can be reached at carmon@fas.harvard.edu.