Thursday, Mar. 19, 2009

Katie Stam

AGE: 22
OCCUPATION: Miss America
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 0

PRO: The former Indiana farm girl overcame laryngitis to become the first Hoosier crown winner in the show's 88-year history. So far, she's managed to avoid arrest and/or Internet scandal, which is an accomplishment in itself.

CON: Despite attempts at an American Idol–style makeover, the pageant drew a middling 3.5 million viewers this year — hardly star-making numbers.