Pageant News Bureau - Pippa Bryant

Pippa Bryant is one of the most intriguing "footnotes" in pageant history. She was in the middle of competing for the Mrs. America crown in Hawaii in 1999 when she abruptly dropped out of sight. It was announced that she could "no longer continue" to represent her state, and her reign was over. Another woman had to fly 6000 miles on 12 hours' notice to replace her. (See PNB feature on Sonja Vass.)

It was a hazy incident, followed by official silence. But the story of Pippa Bryant did not fade away. It became a kind of pageant "Rashomon," with numerous people claiming to know what had happened, but all remembering it differently. Was it illness that spoiled Ms. Bryant's big opportunity? Was it marital trouble? Did she develop stage fright, or a sudden disgust with the whole idea of beauty competitions? Did she walk away, or was she told to go?

The gossip even took on a conspiratorial tone. "I can't tell you what happened," a pageant observer in Hawaii told a PNB reporter. "I can't talk to you. If I do, you'll use your psychology to find out everything I know!"

Pippa Bryant

Finally, we went to the source. We found Pippa Bryant herself, still as lovely as ever, living quietly in a peaceful Southern town. But unfortunately, she didn't have much to reveal (except for a very pageant-worthy body).

"That's all in the past," she said of her Mrs. America bid. "I don't hold any grudges, I don't have anything bad to say about anyone in the pageant business. It didn't turn out the way I wanted, but it's over." She's ready for the gossip to end.

Maybe her pageant career isn't over, though. At we finished our chat, we asked Ms. Bryant about her future plans. "I hope to be a PNB cover girl," she said cheerily. She's certainly worthy.

She went thataway