Suzette Charles
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March 2, 1963
Suzette Charles | |
|---|---|
Charles as Miss America, 1984 | |
| Born | Suzette DeGaetano March 2, 1963 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Education | Temple University (BFA) Fordham University Master's Degree ( in the process) |
| Occupations | Singer, actress |
| Awards | Presidential Scholar 1981, Miss America |
| Notes | |
Married to Paul M. Kaplan Esquire | |
Suzette Charles (born Suzette DeGaetano; March 2, 1963) is an American singer, songwriter, performer and actress.
Suzette DeGaetano "Charles" was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is an only child to her American mother (of French–West Indian descent) who was a school teacher and Italian father who was a salesman.[1][2] She attended The Performing Arts School and as a high school graduate was awarded in 1981 a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. President Ronald Reagan awarded her and 141 others the Presidential medallion. Charles graduated Temple University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and went on to being named Miss America 1984.[2]
Miss America 1984
As Miss New Jersey, she competed in the Miss America 1984 pageant held in Atlantic City on September 17, 1983. Earlier in the week, she had won a Preliminary Talent Award for her performance of "Kiss Me in the Rain" by Barbra Streisand[3][4] While she originally placed as first runner-up,[4][5] after the reigning Miss America Vanessa Williams was forced to resign, Suzette replaced her as the new Miss America.[6][7] Charles was also the second Black woman to win the title after Williams.[2]
