On a balmy, breezy September evening under the glimmering Palm Springs desert stars, millions of Americans witnessed a bicoastal battle between contestants from America’s first and third most populous states — Andrea Preuss of California, a 32-year-old pharmaceuticals sales executive and mother of two, and Stephanie Tsarsi, a 35-year-old mother of two from Syossett, New York — clutching each other nervously on the pool deck of the Riviera Resort and Racquet Club.

The women were already winners of their state Mrs. America competitions, having arrived at this moment by successfully navigating some choppy waters during the previous two weeks. Their mission was to impress the judges and maintain their energy, enthusiasm, and concentration, while adapting to a non-stop schedule of public and promotional appearances, exhausting rehearsals, and the mounting pageant pressure cooker, all the while trying to look, act, and — for all the world — be the embodiment of a queen. So it was, then, after a two-hour finals (that actually took twice as long to tape for a major TV special) that Mrs. California and Mrs. New York waited to learn which one of them would, indeed, be honored with the year-long role as Mrs. America, a role model for married women and a life-changing opportunity for the ultimate winner.

SPLIT DECISION: When the Top 10 was divided by John O'Hurley (L) into two groups of five, it was the five pictured above who survived as the Top 5, representing the states of California, Washington, New York, Nevada, and Wyoming. The remaining Top 10 finalists pictured to the right are the representatives from (L-R) Iowa, Illinois, Mississippi, Utah, and Georgia.

The face-off of two mega media markets seemed apropos of the new Mrs. America’s TV reality, which this year presented the glamorous black-tie poolside affair as a two-hour nationwide primetime special on WE: Women’s Entertainment. The network carried the show in several time slots in mid-September, beginning just a week after the pageant was held and providing an enviable 14 hours of airtime on WE, a cable network that has counted upwards of 55 million viewers on its most-watched programs

The special had built in a “must-see-TV” quality with the addition of telegenic celebrity host John O’Hurley, the star of last season’s ABC hit Dancing with the Stars, who had proven himself capable of waltzing his way into the hearts of millions of viewers, and TV’s “tough cookie” from The Apprentice Omarosa Stallworth (who four years ago represented Washington D.C. at the Mrs. America Pageant) serving as special backstage correspondent, delivering interviews between competition segments. The Mrs. America producers, led by Mrs. America, Inc., President David Marmel, were clearly reaching for a more polished presentation. “Not only were we fortunate to have O’Hurley [he also presided over the 2005 Mrs. World TV special last spring from Amby Valley, India],” said Marmel, “we’re pleased to have both our Mrs. America and Mrs. World specials televised in primetime on WE-TV in a multi-year agreement.

THEIR TRUE COLORS: These are some of the 50 lovely contestants as they take their place on-stage following the Mrs. America tradition-rich Parade of States in Costumes segment. Mrs. Louisiana Heather Ieyoub (inset) received the Best Costume Award.

John O’Hurley made a world of positive difference in the show by setting a light, sophisticated tempo for the evening. As a humorous reference to his second place Dancing With the Stars finish, he gracefully waltzed onto the Mrs. America stage and used his mellifluous voice to good effect. “Boy, did I pick the wrong night to debut as a solo dance act!” said O’Hurley in his opening remarks. Omarosa appeared next and got a laugh with the line, spoken to John, “You have much better hair than Donald Trump.”

Mrs. America’s celebrity judges also boosted this year’s face recognition, with the judges’ panel including actress Connie Stevens, who starred at the Riviera Resort in 1963 in the film Palm Springs Weekend; Jessica Lynch, the American prisoner of war rescued from captivity in Iraq; Dr. John Mahlmann of the National Anthem Project; swimwear designer Carol Wior; and motivational speaker Jim Walkow.

The opening parade of states soon followed, with an amazing and creative array of 50 costumes modeled by the contestants. Each candidate made a runway water crossing wearing her thematic costume, which glimmered in the rippling pool reflections created by the television lights. In a sobering reminder of the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast region, Mrs. Louisiana Heather Ieyoub, who is employed as a Fox TV news reporter in Lake Charles, Louisiana, drew applause as she appeared in a black, feathered two-piece costume with a street lantern over her head bearing the name of the famed New Orleans nightclub strip, Bourbon Street. Clearly the sentimental favorite, Heather’s outfit earned her the Best Costume Award.

The poolside outdoor stage at the Riviera, with its runway that bisected the pool, provided unique production opportunities during the evening, one of which was the inclusion of the Olympics-bound United States synchronized swimming team as a featured performance between competition segments. That led to a natural segue into the parade of contestants in swimsuits, which in turn was followed by the announcement of a special award for the most amazing weight-loss story, won by Mrs. New York Stephanie Tsarsi. Next, the TV show aired a video collage of the women appearing in various sights in Palm Springs. With the entire field of competitors still on-stage in swimsuits, John called out the Top 10 semifinalists from these states: Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, New York, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia, Washington, Iowa, and California.

ON TO VICTORY: As the seconds tick down, Mrs. CA Andrea Preuss and Mrs. NY Stephanie Tsarsi stand frozen in time, until John O’Hurley brings the news that Stephanie is 1st Runner-up. Andrea catches her breath, hugs Mrs. NY, and then accepts the crown from Mrs. America ’04 Julie Love Templeton.

SHARING THE GLORY: After their loving embrace on the runway, Andrea’s husband, Bill, and two children share in her triumphant moments along with the other 49 Mrs. America contestants.

Backstage, Omarosa brought the agony of defeat into sharper focus, asking a pointed question: “Why weren’t you in the Top 10?” “Well, I think I fell a little short this year,” replied Mrs. Tennessee Hilary Hawks. “Of course, there’s 40 of us who didn’t quite make it, but I think they picked a great Top 10.” Mrs. Hawaii Arlene Newman-Van Asperen answered, “I tried to do my very best, but the competition was very tough.... I feel like I let down my family and my state.”

Outside at poolside, the Top 10 once again were on the runway for the first of three judged events, Swimsuit competition — this time appearing in identical red suits, with each runway walk accompanied by their own voice-over narratives explaining why they wanted to be named Mrs. America. Husbands joined their wives during the second judged event, Evening Gown. The Top 10 were led out and kissed goodbye by their spouses, and then the 10 proceeded down the runway as off-stage announcer John Harlan summarized their family life, business achievements, and extracurricular activities.

After WE presented a few more videotaped side trips, John received the judges’ instructions that led him to divide the 10 semifinalists into two groups to either side of the stage — only one group would continue. John then received another envelope with that decision. “Ladies and gentleman,” he said, “the winners, our Top 5 finalists, are on... the left!” Nevada, Utah, Washington, New York, and California had made the cut.

After more Omarosa backstage visits, the final Interview that counted commenced on-stage among the five finalists. After drawing straws, Mrs. California went first, setting the bar high with a well-thought-out answer. All the women delivered articulate and touching comments, and no certain choice emerged after the toughest, most challenging part of the evening.

The suspense lasted a bit longer while Julie Love Templeton took her final walk as Mrs. America, professing her appreciation for what she called a life-changing year, and then returned to John’s side to await her final act — crowning her successor.

John took the envelope containing the final results and inquired, “Are you ready?” He needn’t have asked. In quick succession, he called out 4th Runner-up Nevada, 3rd Runner-up Wyoming, and 2nd Runner-up Washington, and then said, “Ladies, we’ve come to the end, and also the beginning. The 1st Runner-up is Mrs. New York, and our new Mrs. America is Mrs. California, Andrea Preuss.”

As she took her first walk as Mrs. America 2005, Andrea was met by her husband of eight years, Bill, who greeted her with a warm hug and kiss, and their 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son, who danced with joy until Bill wisely carried him off the poolside runway. With that, the new Mrs. America turned to embrace the 49 other women anxiously waiting to congratulate their new queen.