Carolyn Suzanne Sapp
Carolyn Suzanne Sapp | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1967 |
| Alma mater | Hawaii Pacific University |
| Occupation(s) | Beauty pageant winner, activist |
| Title | Miss Hawaii 1991 Miss America 1992 |
| Predecessor | Marjorie Vincent |
| Successor | Leanza Cornett |
| Spouse | Alex Daniels |
| Children | 3 |
Carolyn Sapp Daniels (born Carolyn Suzanne Sapp, Hawaii, 1967) is an actress, singer, stuntwoman, and motivational speaker best known as the first representative from Hawai'i to win Miss America in 1992.[1]
Early life
Sapp was born in Kona to Susan and Fred Sapp - a dancer teacher and Lutheran minister respectively - who divorced amicably when she was an infant. Raised by her step-grandparents, Sapp attended Columbia River Bible Church and Academy from kindergarten to 12th grade, but later financed her college education at Hawaii Pacific University by winning several pageants including Miss Kona Coffee and Miss Hawaii Pacific University.[2] Sapp competed in Miss Hawaii three times before winning in 1991, enabling her to represent her state at Miss America 1992 where she won the preliminary swimsuit round, and was crowned winner.[3]
Miss America
A day after her coronation, it was revealed that Sapp had been in an abusive relationship with former New York Jets player Nuu Faaola whom she had dated before her Miss Hawaii tenure, and later stated that this leaked information was against her wishes as it was a personal matter. Although she had chosen Education as her Miss America platform, Sapp also became a spokesperson for domestic violence victims, and founded the foundations Safe Places for Abused Women and Children, and Give Back a Smile.[4][5]
Post-Miss America
After her reign, Sapp starred as herself in the autobiographical television movie Miss America: Behind the Crown, which depicted the physically abusive relationship between her and Faaola, stating: "When I learned that abuse hot lines were receiving up to 1,000 calls a day, I decided I should make the movie. If Miss America can have this happen to her and get out of it, it will help other people. Women can use my pain to help gain strength".[6] Sapp acted as spokesperson for Wal-Mart Versus Women which promoted public awareness of the retail giant's nationwide pattern of discrimination against female employees,[7] and was interviewed in Andrew Munger's 2007 documentary Wal*Mart Nation.[8]
Personal life
Now married to stuntman Alex Daniels, Sapp is the mother of three children - Kai O’Cain, Keira Makanalani, and Kale’a Charlie-Rose. She continues to reside in Hawaii.[9]
References
- ^ Miss Hawaii Director was 'Man Behind the Crown'
- ^ Breaking Away - Caught in a Violent Romance, Miss America Carolyn Sapp Overcame Guilt and Got Out
- ^ Miss Hawaii Wins Crown in Miss America Pageant; 24-Year-Old University Student Becomes First Contestant From 50th State to Take Title
- ^ Education is Miss America Sapp's Platform
- ^ More than skin deep
- ^ Miss America Tells Her Story Of Abuse
- ^ Former Miss America Carolyn Sapp Praises Ruling in Discrimination Lawsuit against Wal-Mart; Sapp is Spokeswoman for Wal-Mart Versus Women
- ^ Filming fight against Wal-Mart
- ^ Carolyn Sapp Daniels
External links
- Carolyn Sapp at IMDb
- Carolyn Suzanne Sapp 2004 interview in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin
- Miss America page
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